Effects of tallowtree seed coat on seed germination

Abstract

We measured physiological parameters including water uptake, in-vitro embryo germination ratio, and seed coat structure observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to explore the influence of seed coat on the germination of seeds of tallow tree (Sapium sebiferum (Linn) Roxb.). Tallow tree seeds had good water permeability. We found that germination of cabbage seeds was inhibited when cabbage seeds were soaked in extracted solutions from tallow tree seed coat. Seed coat structure at the side of the radicle appeared to be a barrier to seed germination. We tested methods to break tallow tree seed dormancy. Dormancy of tallow tree seeds was overcome by soaking the seeds in 500 mg·L⁻¹ or 1000 mg·L⁻¹ GA₃, followed by 100 days of cold stratification.

Keywords

Sapium sebiferum / seed dormancy / cold stratification / inhibitory substances / gibberellic acid

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