This research aimed to evaluate the effects of dormancy breaking methods on germination of Ipomoea grandifolia, I. hederifolia, I. nil, I. quamoclit, Merremia aegyptia and M. cissoides seeds. The treatments consisted of concentrated sulfuric acid, potassium nitrate, and mechanical and physical scarification for fire, water and dry heat at 50 ºC. The sulfuric acid increased seed germination of I. grandifolia (58, 37, 22 and 34 %), I. hederifolia (76, 49, 82 and 55%), I. quamoclit (43, 33, 66 and 35%), I. nil (69, 79, 72 e 62%), M. cissoides (8, 19, 35 and 57%) and M. aegyptia (24, 64, 56 and 63%) after 5, 10, 15 and 20 min, respectively. Water (20 and 40 min), dry heat (20 and 40 min) and fire increased germination of I. grandifolia (68, 59, 62, 67 and 59%), M. cissoides (50, 52, 18, 25 and 46%) and M. aegyptia (54, 47, 21, 21 and 45%), respectively. Dry heat (20 and 40 min) increased seed germination of I. nil (49 and 36%) and (40min) of I. hederifolia (70%). Potassium nitrate and sandpaper did not increase seed germination.
Convolvulaceae; scarification; germination
