What is scarification?

Scarification refers to the process of weakening, damaging, or breaking down the protective outer coat of a seed to encourage germination. Many seeds have hard or impermeable seed coats that can inhibit water absorption and gas exchange, both of which are essential for germination. By scarifying seeds, either mechanically (through abrasion), chemically (using acids), or through stratification (subjecting seeds to cold temperatures), the barrier is made more permeable, allowing moisture to enter and stimulating the seed's metabolic processes that lead to germination.

This method is particularly useful for seeds of certain plants that have evolved this tough seed coat as a survival mechanism, ensuring that the seed remains dormant until ideal conditions for germination arise. By employing scarification, gardeners and horticulturists can increase the likelihood of successful germination, especially for species that are otherwise slow or difficult to germinate.

The other options provided describe different concepts that do not accurately represent scarification—promoting decay, increasing seed size, or covering with organic matter do not specifically relate to the process of weakening the seed coat itself.