BREAKING SEED COAT DORMANCY IN MIMOSA PUDICA

Mimosa pudica, a member of the Fabaceae family and commonly known as the sensitive plant or touch-me-not, is a species of significant dual interest in Nigeria. It is renowned for its rapid thigmonastic leaf movements and holds considerable value in traditional medicine for treating various ailments. Conversely, its aggressive proliferation and hard-seeded nature also classify it as a persistent invasive weed in agricultural landscapes. A primary biological impediment to its controlled propagation and management is seed coat dormancy (physical dormancy), an evolutionary adaptation where a highly impermeable seed coat acts as a barrier to water and gas exchange, preventing the critical imbibition phase necessary for germination. This results in sporadic, delayed, and unsynchronized seedling emergence, posing a substantial challenge for both cultivators and researchers. This study is designed to systematically investigate and compare the effectiveness of distinct dormancy breaking pre-treatment methods on Nigerian germplasm of Mimosa pudica. The specific objective is to evaluate and quantify the germination success, in terms of rate and final percentage, of seeds subjected to physical (mechanical scarification), thermal (soaking in boiling water), and chemical (sulphuric acid) treatments. The research is grounded in the local context, building upon established Nigerian agronomic practices for hard-seeded legumes. The outcomes identifies an optimal, efficient, and practical protocol for overcoming seed dormancy which was 1minute wet heat pre-treatment with 80% germination. Successfully achieving synchronized germination will provide a foundational tool for leveraging the plant's medicinal potential through reliable cultivation.