Scarification
/skar-ih-fih-KAY-shun/✂️ Propagation●● Intermediate
The process of breaking, scratching, or softening a hard seed coat to allow water and gases to penetrate, triggering germination. Can be done mechanically (nicking with a file), chemically (brief acid soak), or through hot water treatment.
Etymology
From Latin scarificare, meaning "to scratch, cut."
Example
“Morning glory seeds germinate faster if you scarify them by nicking the seed coat with a file.”