Research was conducted to evaluate the effects of presowing
seed treatments and temperature on germination of seeds of Engelmann
daisy (Ertgelmannia pinnatifida) and western indigo (Indigofera
miniata var. leptosepala). The seeds were imbibed in
controlled environmental conditions for 14 days with night/day
temperatures of 5/15, 10/20, 15125, or 20/?O°C and a ll-hour
photoperiod corresponding with the high temperature. Seed treatments
prior to imbibition included: mechanical scarification,
immersion in hot water (SO’C) for 3 min., acid scarification by
immersion in concentrated sulfuric acid for 17 min., and an
untreated control. Percent germination was affected by both
temperature and presowing seed treatments. Maximum germination
(43%) of Engelmann daisy was attained by untreated seeds at
20/30° C. Presowing seed treatments did not significantly increase
germination of Engelmann daisy at any temperature. Western
indigo seeds which were mechanically or acid scarified germinated
over 90% in the 10/20, 15/25 and 20/30°C temperature regimes.
Seeds immersed in hot water germinated from 59-68%, and
untreated seeds germinated from 17-4270 in the same environmen tal conditions.