Heat, freeze-thaw, mechanical and acid
In chemical scarification, seeds are dipped into strong sulfuric acid, organic solvents such as acetone or alcohol, or even boiling water. In mechanical scarification, they may be shaken with some abrasive material such as sand or be scratched with a knife.
Heat, freeze-thaw, mechanical and acid scarification are among the most popular methods.
Scarifying happens when seeds are softened, scratched, or superficially cut to make them more permeable to water and gases. In the natural, scarification is caused by weather, soil texture, or by passing through the digestive tract of a bird or animal.
There are three main types of scarification. Let's go over them: Mechanical involves physically opening the seed coating to allow air and water to enter. Chemical involves the use of chemicals to weaken the seed coating and encourage germination.
Scarification can be done mechanically or chemically. Examples of mechanical scarification include filing, stabbing, and cutting. Chemical scarification uses chemical materials such as H2SO4, KNO3, and HCl. These treatments have been shown to break some seeds' dormancy.
Scarification in Africa is a major aspect of African cultures and cultural practice among African ethnic groups; the practice of scarification in Africa includes the process of making "superficial incisions on the skin using stones, glass, knives, or other tools to create meaningful pictures, words, or designs" and ...
Heat, freeze-thaw, mechanical and acid scarification are among the most popular methods.
Hot Water Scarification
Boiling water can be an effective way to soften the hard “jacket” on some seeds. To use this method, bring a pot of water to the point where it's about to boil. The water temperature should be about 82 degrees Celsius. Soak the seeds until the water cools.
The means in which these obstacles to germination can be broken down are known as scarification and stratification. Stratification uses temperature to break dormancy, while scarification uses mechanical, chemical, or thermal means to break down a hard seed coat that is impervious to water.
Scarification is the process of weakening, opening, or otherwise changing a seed's covering to promote germination. Scarification can be done in a variety of ways, including manually, thermally, and chemically. Many plant species' seeds are impermeable to water and gases, which prevents or delays germination.
A surgical scalpel is typically used to cut into the skin. One popular cutting technique is called ink rubbing, where tattoo ink (or a different coloring agent) is rubbed into the fresh wound.
Scarfication was most widely practised in Africa and among Australian Aboriginal groups not incidentally because the other way of permanently marking the skin – tattooing – is not as effective on dark skin. It is possible that Aborginal Australians pactised ritual scarification many thousands of years ago.
Cutting: A scarification artist will use a sharp tool, such as a scalpel, to cut a design into the skin. They may apply tattoo ink to the wounds to darken the marks or apply liquid skin adhesive to keep the wound open and increase the scarring.
Scarification is done either by cutting repeatedly with a scalpel, using a cauterizing tool, or by "strike branding," which is much like cattle branding. After cleaning the area and stenciling on the design, the artist begins cutting or burning the skin until reaching the right depth and width.
The most common type of scarification is mechanical scarification. In mechanical scarification, the testa is physically opened to allow moisture and air in. Seed coats may be filed with a metal file, rubbed with sandpaper, nicked with a knife, cracked gently with a hammer, or weakened or opened in any other way.
What is Cold Stratification? Cold stratification is a method of pre-treating seeds to overcome winter dormancy more quickly and reliably than leaving them to their own devices.
Cold stratification, also known as seed stratification, is the process of exposing seeds to cold and moist conditions to encourage germination. In nature, the stratification process takes place when fallen seeds overwinter underground or beneath a layer of snow.
Place the seeds in the freezer overnight and then soak at room temperature for a few days, until seeds start to swell. Place seeds in the freezer overnight and then put them in boiling water, letting them soak in the hot water for several hours.
The practice is illegal in some countries such as the United Kingdom and several U.S. states. Most recently, the practice was banned in Arkansas, though that bill was overturned after public outcry against the decision. Winnipeg declared the practice illegal in 2008.
Warnings & Potential Complications
Since scarification is practiced by scarification artists rather than medical personnel, only a topical anesthetic can be used to dull the pain of the scarification process.
Scarification was first seen in the United States in the mid-1980s in San Francisco when the LGBTQ+ community started embracing this art form. But its roots are deeply entrench in West African history as permanent scars were created as a form of cultural expression.
Mechanical scarification greatly reduced germination time as most seeds (87.5%) sprouted in the first 4 days and germination was complete by day 7 whilst the hot water, dry heat and sulphuric acid treatments had 14, 5 and 3.25% germination count respectively by day 4.