A method for inducing rapid germination in seed of Discaria toumatou Raoul

A reliable technique for achieving rapid seed germination in matagouri or wild Irishman (Discaria toumatou Raoul), an endemic woody shrub with seed which had previously proved difficult to germinate, is documented. Seed collected from the wild gave >80% germination within 14 days of commencing treatment when scarification, by immersion in 98% sulphuric acid for 24 minutes, was followed by imbibition with a solution of 1(H -4 M gibberellic acid. The provision of aeration at room temperature (20 ± 3°C), during imbibition with the gibberellic acid solution, resulted in increased germination percentages and rates.