OBJECTIVECurrent study was conducted to investigate the seed physiological characteristics of Tulipa edulis and improve germination rate.

METHODAnatomical characteristics was observed. Seed water absorption curve was tested by soaking method. Dynamic of embryo development and germination rate as well as germination index under different conditions were recorded. And the biological test of cabbage seed was used for detecting the germination inhibitors.

RESULTThe embryo rate of newly matured seeds was about 10%, and there was no obstacle of water absorption on testa of T. edulis. The optimum method for embryo development was exposure to 300 mg x L(-1) gibberellin solution for 24 hours, and stratification at 25 degrees C for 70 days followed by stratification at 5 degrees C for 40 days. The germintion rate and germination index of dormancy-broken seeds under the dark environment at 10 degrees C and 15 degrees C were significantly higher than those under other conditions. Additionally, there were some germination inhibitory substances in dry seeds.

CONCLUSIONThe seed of T. edulis can be classified as having complex morphophysiological dormancy, and the morphological embryo dormancy played a leading role. Warm and cold stratification resulted in a fast dormancy breaking effect, and a high germination rate more than 90% could be obtained under the optimum conditions.

Germination ; physiology ; Seeds ; physiology ; Tulipa ; physiology

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to optimize the testing methods for seed quality, and to provide a basis for establishing seed testing rules and quality grading standard of Glycyrrhiza uralensis.

METHODReferring to the International Seed Testing Rules made by ISTA and Rules for agricultural seed testing (GB/T 3543-1995) issued by China, the seed quality of G. uralensis from different collection areas was measured.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe seed testing methods for quality items of G. uralensis, including sampling, purity analysis, verification of genuineness, weight of 1 000 seeds, percentage germination, moisture content and seed viability of G. uralensis had been initially established.

Germination ; Glycyrrhiza uralensis ; chemistry ; physiology ; Seeds ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo screen the optimized methods for detection seed viability and germination rate determination of Atractylodes macrocephala, and determine the relationship between seed viability and germination rate.

METHODThere were four methods, which including 2,3,5-triphynel tetrazolilum chloride (TTC) staining, red ink staining, BTB staining and Nongjia method, to evaluate the 12 A. macrocephala local varieties'seed viability and measure their germination rate.

RESULTSeed viability of A. macrocephala using TTC staining ranked the first compared to that of other three methods. Seed viability was significantly related with germination rate using TTC method. Their correlation coefficient reached 0.915 and regression equation was also found out between seed viability (X) and germination rate (Y), which was Y = -0.083 4 + 0.995 4X.

CONCLUSIONTTC staining was the optimal method to determine A. macrocephala seed vitality. Furthermore, seed viability was significant related with germination rate of A. macrocephala.

Atractylodes ; physiology ; Germination ; physiology ; Plants, Medicinal ; physiology ; Seeds ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo optimize the testing methods for seed quality, and provide basis for establishing seed testing rules and seed quality standard of Oldenlandia diffusa.

METHODAccording to the related seed testing regulations, the seed quality of O. diffusa from different producing areas was measured.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe testing methods for seed of O. diffusa was established, including sampling, purity analysis, weight per 1 000 seeds, seed moisture content, seed viability and percentage germination.

Germination ; Oldenlandia ; chemistry ; Seeds ; chemistry ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo analyze the genetic difference of biological characters on germplasm resources of Sophora alopecuroides.

METHODTwenty-three populations of S. alopecuroides from Ningxia, Gansu, Qinghai, Xinjiang and Inner Mongolian were used to analyze the seed size, 1 000-grain weight, and germination characteristics and so on.

RESULTIt showed that there were significant differences in seed size, 1 000-grain weight and the vitality of seeds. The biggest seed of S. alopecuroides was 4.7 mm x 3.5 mm, and the smallest was 3.8 mm x 2.9 mm, and the 1 000-grain weight was 15-26 g. Results of seeds vitality in 8 populations indicated that the highest vitality of seeds were No. 103 and No. 122. The germination index was 36.51 and 36.24 respectively, and the vitality index was 1 323.49 and 1 274.56. The coefficient of variation in seed traits exceeded 10% except the seed size.

CONCLUSIONThere are some differences and different heredity background in various S. alopecuroides germplasm resources.

Genetic Variation ; Germination ; Sophora ; classification ; genetics ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo study the germination property of the seeds of Achyranthes bidentata from different producing area, providing foundation for choosing the better seed resources.

METHODThe germination rate, germination energy, germination index, vigor and the characteristics of the seeds of A. bidentata from different producing area were compared, and the relative electric conductivity was measured. The characteristics of the seed were recorded through the Anymicro DSS YT-5M microscope digital camera, and the differences were analyzed.

RESULTSeed from Henan Boai and Hebei Anguo showed the better germination rate, germination energy, germination index and vigor.

CONCLUSIONThe seeds from both Henan Boai and Hebei Anguo showed the better quality.

Achyranthes ; metabolism ; physiology ; China ; Geography ; Germination ; physiology ; Seeds ; metabolism ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo study the seed quality of Achyranthes bidentata from different sources and establish a standard of seed quality grading.

METHODSeed weight and moisture content determination, germination test, purity analysis were carried out by 100 grains method, high-temperature drying, double deck filter paper and GB/T354. 3-Seed Testing for Crops methods respectively. Eight collections were planted in several field plots.

RESULTThe 1 000 grains weight of 33 collections is 0.69 to 3.54 g with a variance coefficient 24.83%, the germination rate between 19.02% to 99% with a variance coefficient 38.24%. Seed moisture content and purity showed no significantly difference. K-means cluster analysis showed that 33 collections were divided into 3 grades: the first grade including 23 collections, the second and third grade including 5 collections respectively. Eight collections showed different field growth and yield characters.

CONCLUSIONThere are significant differences in seed quality of A. bidentata, so the classification management is needed in medicinal materials market. Germination test is an effective method before cultivating.

Achyranthes ; embryology ; Germination ; physiology ; Quality Control ; Seeds ; physiology

OBJECTIVEWe studied the licorice provenance rule under the manual simulative water stress conditions, discussed geographical variation pattern and the ecology mechanism and laid the theoretical basis for the licorice seed regionalization and the seed allocation.

METHODOn the spot we investigated and collected seed materials. Setting up water potential gradient by PEG, we observed the seed germination characteristic through the experiment of indoor germination.

RESULTThe sensitivity of various provenance seed germinative energy show quite remarkable difference for water potential reducing. Along with geographic longitude increasing, the seed germinates variation sensitivity increasing gradually to the water stress. The results of climatic factors' correlation analysis indicated that provenance seed germinate energy to the water stress is sensitive, in which the annual average temperature is low and annual precipitation is abundant. But it is insensitive in which the annual precipitation is little, the annual average temperature, average temperature in July and the annual average ground temperature is high.

CONCLUSIONUnder the water stress condition the licorice provenance seed germination characteristic exists remarkable geographical variation. Geographical variation is the result of natural selection.

China ; Dehydration ; Ecosystem ; Geography ; Germination ; Glycyrrhiza uralensis ; physiology ; Seeds ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo study the characteristics of pollen viability and stigma receptivity of C. deserticola and provide theory basis for seed production and breeding of C. deserticola.

METHODDifferent physiological measurement methods were applied to evaluate pollen viability and stigma receptivity. The results of different methods were compared with the seed setting percentage of the cross-pollination in the field test and pollen germination percentage by fluoroscope observation methods. The changes of pollen vitality and stigma receptivity in different conditions were tested using proper methods.

RESULTThe optimum methods on pollen viability and stigma receptivity detection were MTT-test and Benzidine-Hydrogen Peroxide method respectively. Results showed that the mean pollen viability and stigma receptivity were both the highest in inchoate anthesis with pollen germination percentage up to 95%, and can maintain viable for 4-5 d, but at the lower temperature of 4 degrees C, the pollen can be stored up to 10 days.

CONCLUSIONThe physiological characteristics of pollen and stigma of C. deserticola displayed good ecological adaptation, which are much more adaptive to the large area of cultivation condition.

Adaptation, Biological ; Cistanche ; physiology ; Flowers ; anatomy & histology ; physiology ; Germination ; Pollen ; cytology ; physiology ; Pollination ; physiology ; Reproduction ; physiology

So far there exists no corresponding quality test procedures and grading standards for the seed of Prunus humilis, which is one of the important source of base of semen pruni. Therefor we set up test procedures that are adapt to characteristics of the P. humilis seed through the study of the test of sampling, seed purity, thousand-grain weight, seed moisture, seed viability and germination percentage. 50 cases of seed specimens of P. humilis tested. The related data were analyzed by cluster analysis. Through this research, the seed quality test procedure was developed, and the seed quality grading standard was formulated. The seed quality of each grade should meet the following requirements: for first grade seeds, germination percentage ≥ 68%, thousand-grain weight 383 g, purity ≥ 93%, seed moisture ≤ 5%; for second grade seeds, germination percentage ≥ 26%, thousand-grain weight ≥ 266 g, purity ≥ 73%, seed moisture ≤9%; for third grade seeds, germination percentage ≥ 10%, purity ≥ 50%, thousand-grain weight ≥ 08 g, seed moisture ≤ 13%.
Cluster Analysis ; Germination ; Prunus ; growth & development ; Seeds ; physiology