Germination, desiccation, storage and germination-accelerating pretreatment of Ardisia virens seeds

Yang, Q. H.

SEED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

2011

39

2

Yang, QH

Ardisia virens (Myrsinaceae) is a tropical and subtropical understory shrub in South China. We have studied the effect of various treatments on seed germination and seedling emergence. Seeds were germinated at temperatures ranging from 10 to 35 degrees C and at ambient temperature (15-24 degrees C/24-35 degrees C, night/day), with 25 degrees C, 30 degrees C and ambient temperature being the optimum for germination. Light had no significant effect on germination, compared with darkness. The seeds could not tolerate drying to at least 38% moisture content and had a short lifespan at 15, 25 and 35 degrees C, so they can be classified as recalcitrant. Soaking for 24 hours in 10% potassium nitrate (KNO3), 100-500 ppm gibberellic acid (GA(3)) and 50-200 ppm 6-Benzylaminopurine (6-BA) did not significantly improve germination percentage, but these treatments appeared to accelerate the germination process. Soaking in 20% KNO3 and 400 ppm 6-BA solutions had no significant effects on germination, while 30% KNO3 and 5-20% sodium nitrite (NaNO2) significantly inhibited germination. Seeds of A. Orem therefore have shallow dormancy and an after-ripening period is required; a low storage temperature and moist conditions help maintain seed viability. To propagate this shrub, the seeds should be harvested in the winter, and then stored for about two months in a moist and cool environment to ensure the completion of after-ripening at 15 degrees C-24 degrees C. Application of chemical pretreatments can increase the rate of seed germination.