To promote rapid and uniform germination and determine the most suitable means of overcoming physical dormancy in  Dichrostachys cinerea seeds, the effect of nicking on the seed coat, sulphuric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, methanol (CH3OH) and ethanol (C2H5OH) were tested. Similarly, the effect of potassium permanganate (KMnO4), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), sodium hypochloride (NaOCl), sodium chloride (NaCl) as well as the effect of seed extract were tested by assessing the germinability of appropriately treated dormant seeds.

To improve germination and determine the effect of chemical pre treatments on germination and vigor of resultant seedling growth, Dichrostachys cinerea seeds were scarified with sulphuric acid, Nitric acid and hydrochloric acid. Soaking seeds in sulphuric acid for 10mins gave  the highest percentage germination and germination energy (93%: 80%). Seeds treated with Nitric acid for 5 mins recorded low germination percentage and energy. However, the resultant seedlings  were more in the high vigor category.