Texas FFA Nursery Landscape Practice Exam

Which of the following best describes seed scarification?

1. Placing seed capsules in the sun for natural drying

2. Removing some of the seed coat with a file, sandpaper, or acid solution

3. Using a dibble to spot off newly planted seedlings

4. Planting seeds in a nursery flat to a depth of two times the seed’s diameter

The correct answer is: Removing some of the seed coat with a file, sandpaper, or acid solution

Seed scarification is best described as the process of removing some of the seed coat with a file, sandpaper, or acid solution. This technique is important because many seeds have hard or impermeable seed coats that inhibit water absorption and prevent germination. By scarifying the seed coat, it allows water and gases to penetrate more easily, stimulating the germination process. This physical alteration of the seed coat can mimic natural processes, such as those that occur through abrasion in soil or digestive action in animals. The other choices do not accurately define seed scarification. Drying seed capsules in the sun pertains to post-harvest processing rather than the preparation of seeds for germination. Using a dibble relates to planting techniques, not seed preparation. Finally, planting seeds at a specific depth is a method of sowing rather than a form of treatment to improve seed germination potential. Understanding the importance of scarification helps in successful seed propagation, particularly for species that are known to have dormant seeds.