Polyphenols leaching and seed dormancy in carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) in relation to hot water treatment

Abstract Carob ( Ceratonia siliqua L.) is a relevant element of the Mediterranean spontaneous vegetation. Moreover, it useful in reforestation, and currently re-valued for sustainable agriculture dryland areas. However, difficulties tied to carob propagation (mainly seed dormancy) hamper its large-scale cultivation. In this paper, effects four treatments (no treatment [control], soaking at 70 °C 90 water, or 96% sulphuric acid) on five genotypes germination were studied. As compared very low untreated seeds (0–13% germination), acid (93–100% germination) water (from 72 > 90% out genotypes) effective promoting germination. Soaking resulted leaching higher amount total polyphenols from coat as °C. A significant correlation (0.75**) was ascertained between polyphenol different These results suggest that dormancy species not primarily associated with hardness, generally thought, but also release polyphenols. Polyphenols determination dormant few non-dormant seem confirm hypothesis since these last showed an almost halved content (on average 17.0) ones (34.8 mg g −1 FW). Further studies may determine involved, assess new, easier carry out, treatments. The important role galactomannans discussed. Finally, similar enhance knowledge processes other Fabaceae whose positively affected by hot