OBJECTIVETo study the effect of fluridone concentration, stimulating period, temperature and salt on the seed germination of three species of Cistanche.

METHODThe seeds were cultured in Petri dish, and the germination percentage was counted.

RESULTThe highest germination percentage was observed in Cistanche tubulosa, C. deserticola, C. sala seeds pre-treated by 0.1 mg x L(-1) fluridone for 24-29 h. The optimal temperature for the seeds germination of three species of Cistanche was at 20-30 degrees C, and the seeds did not germinate at sub-or supraoptimal temperatures (5 and 35 degrees C). The salt tolerance of C. sala seeds was strong, and the critical value of NaCl concentration was 0.04 mol x L(-1). By contrast, C. tubulosa and C. deserticola seeds were more sensitive to the salt stress, the critical value of NaCl concentration was 0.02 mol x L(-1).

CONCLUSIONThe optimal germination condition and the method of testing germination percentage of three species of Cistanche seeds are as follow: the seeds are pre-treated by 0.1 mg x L(-1) fluridone for 24 h and then cultured at 20-30 degrees C in salt solution which concentration is lower than 0.02 mol x L(-1).