Abstract:
In this study, Ceratonia siliqua L. carob seeds harvested from both wild and cultivated genotypes in Turkey were subjected to mechanical scarification, soaking in hot water and dipping in sulfuric acid. All treatments hastened seed germination and seedling growth of carob compared to control. The germination percentage of control seeds were similar for both wild and cultivated genotypes (13%) and it was increased up to 95% and 93% in wild and cultivated genotypes, respectively, following sulfuric acid treatment. Seed germination percentage of wild and cultivated carobs was similar in all treatments indicating that domestication does not appear to have influenced germination behavior in both genotype.
