Effects of polyamines on the early development of cystocarps,spore release,survival,and germination rate of Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis

Three polyamines(PAs)(spermidine(Spd),spermine(Spm),and putrescine(Put))were used as growth regulators to the marine macroalgae Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis and to female gametophyte and reproductive tissues(cystocarps were constructed),which led to early maturation of cystocarps and spore release.Laboratory cultivation revealed that exogenous PA application accelerated the development of cystocarps,and the mean sporeling growth rate was 20%–50%/d during the initial week of cultivation.The spore count(SC),survival rate(SR),and germination rate(GR)of G.lemaneiformis showed different responses to PA(10-6 mol/L and 10-3 mol/L)treatments under different temperatures(18,26,and 34℃),light intensities(30,60,and 90μmol photons/(m^(2)·s)),salinities(25,30,and 35),and nutrient levels(25꞉2.5,50꞉5.0,and 75꞉7.5μmol/L NH4Cl꞉K2HPO4),and the optimal conditions were 26℃,light intensity of 60μmol/(m^(2)·s),salinity of 35,and nutrient level of 50꞉5.0μmol/L NH4Cl꞉K2HPO4.Under the optimum conditions,the SC per cystocarp increased by 82.38%,and the spore SR and GR increased by 33.07%and 46.44%,respectively.Each experiment lasted for 7 days,with the highest SC on Day 4 and plateauing on Day 7.The results indicate that PAs could promote the early maturation,spore release,survival,and germination of G.lemaneiformis under laboratory conditions.

Seed germination and seedling development of Prunus armeniaca under different burial depths in soil

A semi-greenhouse study was conducted to understand the effects of soil burial depth on seed germination and seedling development. The seeds of wild apricot （Prunus armeniaca） were buried at the soil depths of 0-cm, 4-cm, 8-cm, and 12-cm, respectively, to simulate the seed hoarding behavior of rodents in the field. The results revealed that the rates of seed germination and established seedlings from buried seeds were both the highest in 4-cm burial depth group, and then decreased with increasing soil depth. The number of rotten seeds increased in deeper burial depth. It is unfavourable for seed germination at 0-cm burial depth （i.e., seeds were laid on soil surface）. There was insignificant effect of burial depth on growth of established seedlings. The results from this study indicated that proper burial depth in soil would be helpful for the seed germination and seedling growth. The seedlings derived from buried seeds at shallower depth （4 cm） in this research have advantage in their early development.

Effects of NaCl Stress on Seed Germination of Lycium ruthenicum Murr.

[Objective]To study the seeds germination of Lycium ruthenicum Murr.under different concentrations of NaCl,as well as to find the optimal concentration of NaCl for the germination of L.ruthenicum.[Method]The seeds of L.ruthenicum were treated with different concentrations of NaCl,and the state of seed germination was measured.[Result]With the increasing of concentration of NaCl,the seed germination rate of L.ruthenicum showed an obvious increasing trend.when the concentration was of 0.3%-0.4 %,the germination rate was the highest,and when the concentration of NaCl was greater than 0.4,the germination rate showed a decline trend.[Conclusion]After treated with appropriate concentrations of NaCl before sowing,the germination rate of seeds of L.ruthenicum would increase.

Effects of Magnetized Water on Seed Germination of Welsh Onion (Allium fistulosum L.)

With Welsh Onion seeds employed as materials, effects of magnetized water on seed Germination were studied. The results showed the treatment of magnetized water soaking for 4 h promoted water absorption rate and amylase ac- tivities of seeds significantly, which accelerated the transformation process of en- dosperm starch to soluble sugar, resulting in emergence of 36 hours in advance under low temperature condition. Germination rate and germination potential of magnetized water soaking were higher than the contrast by 6.7% and 10.0%, which helped cultivate vigorous seedling.

Effects of Different-concentration EMS on Germination of Tarary Buckwheat [Fagopyrum tataricum(L.) Gaertn] Seeds

[Objective] This study aimed to determine the optimum ethyl methane sulfonate（EMS） concentration for germination of tarary buckwheat seeds so as to lay a solid foundation for obtaining excellent traits of tarary buckwheat and breeding new varieties that meet the requirements by EMS mutation breeding. [Method] The seeds of Jinqiaomai No.4, a local tarary buckwheat variety [Fagopyrum tataricum（L.） Gaertn] in Shanxi Province, were used as the material. They were mutagenized by different concentrations（0.3%, 0.5%, 0.7%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 1.7%） of EMS for different times（4, 8, 12 h）. Then the germination rate and germination vigor were analyzed. [Result] With the increase of EMS mutagenic agent concentration, the germination vigor, relative germination vigor, germination rate and relative germination rate are all trended to be decreased. When the EMS concentrations ranged from 0.3%to 1.0%, there were no significant differences between treatment and control groups（P〉0.05）. When the EMS concentrations were 1.5% and 1.7%, significant differences were shown between treatment and control groups（P〈0.01）. The 4 and 8 h treatment of EMS all had no significant effects on germination rate and relative germination rate of Jinqiaomai No.4, but the 12 h treatment of EMS showed significant effects. Among the three treatment times, there were still no significant differences in germination vigor and relative germination vigor between treatment and control groups. [Conclusion] The optimum median lethal dose and treatment time of EMS for mutagenizing Jinqiaomai No.4 were 1.7% and 12 h, respectively.

Effects of Specific Gravity-based Seed Grading on Seed Germination, Seedling Emergence and Grain Yield of Hybrid Rice

Using the commercial seeds of two hybrid rice varieties including Lu- liangyou 996 and Liangyoupeijiu as the materials, four specific gravity-based seed grading treatments, Le., the specific gravity of 〈1.0 （T1）, 1.0-1.09 （T2）, 1.1-1.19（T3） and ≥1.2 （T4）, by selection with different saline solutions, and the control without seed grading （CK） were designed to study the effects of seed grading on seed germination, seedling emergence, seedling quality and grain yield. The results showed that the treatments of T2, T3 and T4 had higher or significantly higher seed germination rate, germination index and vigor index, seedling emergence rate and adult seedling rate than the CK, while T1 had significantly lower values of these traits than the CK. Compared with the CK, the number of spikelets per pani- cle was found to be the main reason for the yield increase of these treatments with high seed viability.

Effect of Different Treatments on the Germination and Seedling Growth of Firmiana simplex

With Firmiana simplex （L.） W. F. Wight as an experiment material, the effects of different concentrations of GA3 （Gibberellin A3）, SA （Salicylic acid） and NAA （1-Naphthalene acetic acid） and stratification on the germination rate of seeds were studied firstly, and then the effects of GA3 and NAA on seedling growth were analyzed. The results showed that the germination rate could be improved by 0.075 g/L SA and stratification markedly. It was indicated by the experiment that the growth of the main root and main stem could be promoted by 0.050 g/L and 0.077 g/L NAA, respectively. However, the leaf length and leaf width decreased significantly in the GA3 and NAA treatments.

Primary Study on Influencing Factors of Rice Seed Germination Rate

In order to investigate the change rule of rice seed germination rate dur-ing the storage, the effects of moisture content and storage temperature on Lianjing 7 rice seed germination rate were investigated. The 3×3 factorial design was adopt-ed. The test data was analyzed using SPSS. The results showed that after the Lianjing 7 rice seeds with moisture content of 14.5% were stored at 25 ℃ for 180 d, the germination rate stil reached 89%; after the rice seeds with moisture content of 11.5% were stored at 5 ℃ for 180 d, the germination rate was up to 96.6%; the rice seed germination rate was decreased gradual y with the prolonging of storage time; the moisture content and storage temperature were two key factors affecting the Lianjing 7 rice seed germination rate, and there was significant interaction be-tween moisture content and storage temperature.

Influences of UV-C Irradiation on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Winter Wheat

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the influences of UV-C irradiation on seed germination and seedling growth of winter wheat. [Method] Winter wheat cul- tivar Liaoda 02 was selected as the experimental material and irradiated with UV-C for 1 h,to compare the dynamic changes of seed germination rate under different treatment time and the changes of gibberellin （GA） content and a-amylase activity during the germination process after UV-C irradiation. Wheat seeds irradiated with UV-C for 1 h were sown, the emergence number, growth speed, fluorescence param- eter, reflectance spectrum, relative conductivity and other related physiological indica- tors of seedlings were determined. [Result] The results showed that the germination rate of dry and wet winter wheat seeds irradiated with UV-C for 1 h was improved, compared with the untreated seeds. After soaked for 6, 8, 10 and 12 h, dry seeds irradiated with UV-C for 1 h showed higher GA content and higher a-amylase activity than the control. In addition, UV-C-irradiated dry seeds also showed faster emergence speed and plant growth speed within the first six days after emergence and greater plant height than the control. The flavonoid content in leaves of the treatment group was also increased compared with the control, while the maximal photochemical effi- ciency （Fv/Fm）, photo-chemical reflectance index （PRI）, chlorophyll and carotenoid content were rarely influenced. In conclusion, UV-C irradiation could improve the ger- mination rate of dry seeds and wet seeds soaked for a certain time, especially for wet seeds soaked for 1 h. Furthermore, UV-C-irradiated seeds showed improved ger- mination speed and plant growth. [Conclusion] This study laid the foundation for ex- ploring the effect mechanism of ultraviolet rays on seed generation.

Effects of Induced Concentration and Time of EMS on Seed Germination of Common Buckwheat

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effects of induced concen- tration and time of EMS on seed germination of common buckwheat. [Method] The seeds of Jinqiaomai No.3, a common buckwheat cultivar, were used as the test material, and their germination was induced by different concentrations of EMS un- der different induced times. The germination rate, germination vigor, relative germi- nation rate and relative germination vigor of Jinqiaomai No.3 were measured. [Re- sult] With increased induced concentration and time of EMS, the germination rate, germination vigor, relative germination rate and relative germination vigor of Jinqiao- mai No.3 were all trended to be decreased. For Jinqiaomai No.3, the optima in- duced concentration and time of EMS was 1.0% and 4 h, respectively, and the lethal concentration was 1.7%. [Conclusion] The induced concentration and time of EMS all showed significant effects on seed germination of Jinqiaomai No.3.

Evaluation on Sixty-eight Rice Germplasms in Cold Tolerance at Germination Stage

Sixty-eight rice germplasms were used for cold tolerance evaluation at the germination stage in laboratory. Seeds of rice germplasms germinated at three different temperatures containing low temperature （constant 13°C for 28 days）, alternative temperature （a temperature cycle of 12 h at 20°C and 12 h at 23°C for 14 days） and control （constant 26°C for 7 days）. Analysis of variance revealed that temperature had a significant effect on germination rate, coleoptile length and radicle length. Germination rate was strongly affected by the low temperature and alternative treatments. Stress of low temperature at the germination stage on the tested rice germplasms caused a reduction in final germination rate and the lengths of coleoptile and radicle. The normal and healthy seeds began to germinate within 36 h after imbibition and germination were completed on the 7th day in the control, but delayed under the low and alternative temperature treatments. The low and alternative temperature treatments delayed the growth of coleoptile and radicle compared to the control, and the average lengths of coleoptile and radicule were strongly inhibited with the decreasing temperature in all of the tested germplasms. Taichung, a semi-dwarf, low amylose content and early maturing rice variety, showed a significantly higher germination rate at the three temperature treatments and its coleoptile length was significantly higher than other germplasms.

Nursery practice on seed germination and seedling growth of Dalbergia sissoo using beneficial microbial inoculants

Nursery practice using microbial inoculants was performed to find out the efficacy of the inoculants on seed germination and seedling growth of sissoo（Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.）.Microbial inoculants or effective microorganisms（EM） are a mixture of many different beneficial microorganisms in a solution.The seedlings were grown in a mixture of sandy soil and cowdung（3：1） kept in polybags with pouring EM solution at different concentrations（0.1%,0.5%,1%,2%,5% and 10%） before and after a week of sowing the seeds.Seed germination rate and growth parameters of seedlings were measured,such as,shoot and root length,vigor index,fresh and dry weight of shoot and root and total biomass increment.The nodulation status influenced by EM was also observed along with the measurement of pigment contents in leaves.The highest germination rate（69%） was observed in 2% EM treatment,followed by 67% and 65% in 1% and 5% EM.The highest shoot length（33.2 cm） was in 2% EM,whereas highest root length（26.3 cm） was in 1% EM.Both fresh and dry weights from shoot and root,were maximum（4.16 g and 1.57 g;2.12 g and 0.83 g respectively） in 2% EM and were significantly（p ≤ 0.05） different from control.Vigor index was highest（4071） in 2% EM,which was significantly（p ≤ 0.05） different from control.Total dry weight increment was highest in 2% EM treatment,followed by 1% and 5% concentrations of EM.Nodulation number was higher at very low（0.1%） concentration of EM solution but it normally decreased with the increase of EM concentrations.The contents of chlorophyll a,chlorophyll b and carotenoid were highest（60.11,17.05 and 42.48 mg·L1respectively） in 2% EM treatment and lowest（39.35,13.55 and 27.29 mg·L-1 respectively） in control treatment.Therefore,low concentration of EM（up to 2%） can be used for getting maximum seed germination rate and seedling development of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.

Effect of seed treatment for laboratory germination of Albizia chinensis

Seeds of Albizia chinensis（Osb.） Merr. in addition to water were also treated with different treatments by incubating in ethyl alcohol, acetone, and petroleum ether at room temperature for different durations. Seed heat treatment was done at temperatures of 30, 40 and 60℃ for different durations up to 24 h. To overcome dormancy caused by the impermeable seed coat, seeds were nicked and also treated with concen- trated sulphuric acid for different durations. Seeds responded to treat- ments with sulphuric acid and nicking only. Treatment with sulphuric acid for 20 and 30 min showed maximum germination at all incubation temperatures as compared to untreated controls and seeds treated with sulphuric acid for 10 min and nicking. Seedling length was greatest from seeds treated with sulphuric acid for 20 and 30 min and incubated at 30 ℃. Seedling dry weight was highest from nicked seeds incubated at 20℃ The most favourable incubation temperature was 30 ℃ as evidenced from GR （germination rate index） and Gv （germination value）. After ascertaining the seed response and performance we recommend that seeds ofAlbizia chinensis be treated with sulphuric acid for 20 or 30 min and incubation temperature of 25 to 30℃.

Effects of High Temperature Treatment on Seed Germination of Dodonaea viscosa(L.) Jacq

Seeds of Dodonaea viscosa （L.） Jacq, a representative species in dry and hot valleys in Southwest China, were chosen as experimental materials. In this experiment, the D. viscosa seeds were treated at 40, 60, 80 and 100℃ respectively before germination to study impacts of high temperature treatment on their generation rate and to further discuss the roles of fire during the process of vegetation formation in dry and hot valley areas of China. The results show that when the temperature was higher than 40 ℃, the germination rate of D. viscosa seeds was significantly higher than that of the control group, and the heat shock effect was apparent. The germination rate was the highest when the seeds were treated at 80 ℃ for 10 min, reaching 63.00%±2.55%. There was still a significant heat shock effect on the D. viscosa seeds which were stored for one year. In comparison with the conventional method of soaking seeds in hot water, the germination rate of D. viscose seeds which were treated at high temperature before germination increased significantly.

Influences of Temperature Regime on Germination of Seed of Wild Soybean(Glycine soja)

As an important plant species with high protein contents,wild soybean(Glycine soja),has drawn much attention and appeared to be useful for the genetic improvement of soybean germplasms.Since temperature is one of the numerous environmental factors affecting the germination of most plants,an experimental study was carried out to determine the effect of temperature on germination of wild soybean(G.soja)seeds.Germination test was conducted by setting up thirty-six constant and alternating temperature regimes,ranging from 5 to 40 ℃(16 h night/8 h day).Responses in germination rate to these temperature regimes were then used to construct a quadratic response surface,giving estimated germination rates with confidence intervals at P ≤ 0.05.The results showed that germination capacity was significantly greater while exposed to constant temperatures of 25 ℃,and under the alternating temperature regime the optimum temperature occurred at the 20/25,25/25,25/30 ℃ regime(16 h/8 h)with the amplitude widened from 0 to 5 ℃.Together with regional monthly climate data,these results could be used to improve and promote the cultivation of wild soybean(G.soja),making it available to develop the location-specific optimum seeding time and to apply weed-control treatments.

Studies on the Correlation between Germination and cAMP Content of Different Color Chlamydospores in Ustiloginoidea virens

Ustilaginoidea virens is the causal agent of a serious disease of rice. To reveal the relationship between germination and the 3'-5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate(c AMP) content from the dormant(black or green-black) and non-dormant(yellow)chlamydospore in Ustiloginoidea virens,this study adopts ultrasonic-bath method and high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) method, for extraction c AMP content of the different color chlamydospore. The results demonstrated that, as for the freshly chlamydospores collected from the false smut balls during their germination, c AMP content of yellow chlamydospore appeared a slight growth during 0-12 h, and showed a rapid declining as the germination time extended(12-48 h). Above all, in yellow chlamydospores, the germination rate and the content of c AMP presented a very notably negative correlation(|r|=0.861 9>r0.01=0.834), but the correlation between germination rate and content of c AMP was not obvious in black chlamydospores. The germination rate and the content of c AMP presented a notably positive correlation under different storage period(0, 2, 4, 6, 8,10 months) of the two color chlamydospores(the yellow of chlamydospore: |r | = 0.785 1 > r0.05= 0.707; the black of chlamydospore: |r| = 0.957 9 > r0.05= 0.707).

Effects of Different Processing Methods on Germination Rate of Wada Alfalfa Seeds

[Objective] To find a processing method to increase germination rate of Wada alfalfa seeds. [Method] Five processing methods were used to treat Wada alfaffa seeds, including immersion in hot water, immersion in 98% concentrated sulfuric acid, immersion in 100 g/L potassium nitrate, immersion in hot water after rubbing seed capsule, immersion in 30% （ V~ V） hydrogen peroxide. After treatment, germination energy, germination rate, germination index and vitality index were detected. [ Result] The Wada alfaffa seeds immersed in 25℃ water for 25 min after rubbing seed capsule had the highest germination rate （81.3%）, followed by that of seeds immersed in 100 g/L potassium nitrate for 2 h, that of seeds immersed in 50℃ water, and that of seeds immersed in 30% hydrogen peroxide for 5 min in order. The worst germination appeared in the seeds im- mersed in 98% concentrated sulfuric acid. [ Conclusion] Immersion in 25℃ water for 25 min after rubbing seed capsule is the best method to increase germination rate of Wada alfaffa seeds.

Effects of Different Treatments on Seed Germination of Zanthoxylum nitidum(Roxb.)Seed

[Objectives]This study was conducted to improve the germination rate of Zanthoxylum nitidum(Roxb.)seeds and shorten the germination period.[Methods]Different germination beds,seed soaking temperatures,seed soaking time and culture temperatures were set to study the effects on seed germination of Z.nitidum.[Results]The germination rate on the filter paper germination bed was stable and it was easy for the control of humidity.The germination rate of seeds soaked in warm water at 50℃for 24 h was about 53.33%.The germination rate of seeds cultured at 25℃was as high as 91.98%.[Conclusions]This study provides a theoretical basis for seedling breeding and large-scale production of Z.nitidum.

Effects of Different Treatments on Seed Germination of Bupleurum chinensis

In order to solve the problem of low emergence rate of Bupleurum chinense seeds, and screen out the best germination conditions, the seeds of Bupleurum chinense L. were treated with different soaking time, germination temperature and exogenous regulating substances to improve the germination rate. The results showed that the germination rate of fresh water at 12 h was significantly higher than that at 8 h and 36 h; The germination rate of seeds treated with constant temperature 15℃ and variable temperature 25 ℃/15 ℃ （day/night） was significantly higher than that of other temperature treatments. Seed soaking time and culture temperature also influenced seed germination start day and peak day. Different concentrations of regulatory substances could promote seeds germination. The germination rate of seeds induced by 0.50 mg/L 6-BA was the highest, the start day and peak day were 4 days and 5 days earlier than control check （CK） respectively.

Study on Biological Characteristics of Adelostemma gracillimum Seeds

The effects of temperature, light, pH value and storage time on germina- tion of Adelostemma gracillimum seeds were studied through germination experi- ment. The results showed that A. gracillimum seeds had no property of post-matu- ration dormancy; the optimum germination temperature was 25 ~C; no significant difference was found in germination rate of A. gracillimum seeds between light and dark conditions; A. gracillimum seeds showed a wide adaptability to pH, Le., they could germinate in the pH range of 2-10, and showed a higher germination rate in the pH range of 6-8. The optimum storage time for A. gracillimum seeds was 12 months.