冷湿层积法对印度冷杉(Abies pindrow)和长叶云杉(Picea smithiana）种子萌发的影响

研究赤霉素(GA3),冷湿和温度 对五个种源的印度冷杉(Abies pindrow)和长叶云杉(Picea smithiana)种子萌发的影响.种子被浸泡在GA3 (10 mg(L-1)中24小时,然后在3(5(C温度的条件下冷藏15天.设计4个温度(10(C, 15(C, 20(C 和 25(C)条件来促进种子的萌发.结果表明,浸泡和冷湿处理明显增加种子的萌发率.在10 (C时种子的萌发率最高.总体结果表明,种子被浸泡在GA3 (10 mg(L-1)中24小时,冷湿藏15天,可以有效地促进印度冷杉和长叶云杉的种子萌发.统计数据表明,浸泡处理、温度和种源以及与温度的相互作用都对种子的萌发有明显的影响.     

Effect of different pre-sowing seed treatments on the germination of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leucaena leucocephala</Emphasis> (Lam.) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia farnesiana</Emphasis> (L.)

Leucaena leucocephala and Acacia farnesiana are tree species used for several agricultural purposes in the Mediterranean region. The seeds of these species exhibit dormancy, causing delayed germination. Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of pre-sowing treatments (scarification, hot water, or soaking) on seed germination of L. leucocephala and A. farnesiana. In one experiment, seeds were exposed to three pre-sowing treatments: control, sandpaper scarification, or soaking in 70°C water for 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, or 24 min. In another experiment, seeds were soaked in 70°C water for 20 min, and then soaked in water at room temperature for an additional 24, 48, or 72 h or blade scarified. In general, soaking the seeds of the two species in hot water was more effective in breaking seed dormancy than scarification. Sandpaper scarification was not effective for either species. Blade scarification increased A. farnesiana seed germination to 56%, indicating that seed dormancy was mainly a consequence of hardseededness. L. leucocephala seeds collected from Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) site and soaked in 70°C water for 20 min and then soaked for 24, 48, or 72 h had germination rates above 97%. Our results suggest that blade scarification of A. farnesiana seeds and soaking of L. leucocephala seeds in 70°C water for 20 min are effective treatments to break seed dormancy and enhance seed germination of these vital species.     

Nursery practice on seed germination and seedling growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dalbergia sissoo</Emphasis> 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·L⁻¹ respectively) 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.     

Establishment of cell suspension line of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Populus tomentosa</Emphasis> Carr.

Leaves of fine Populus tomentosa genotype TC152 were used as explants to establish cell suspension lines. The effects of plant growth regulators on callus induction and establishment of cell suspension lines were studied. The callus induction rate was the highest on a MS solid medium supplemented with 1.0 mg·L^-1 2,4-D. A cell suspension line could be obtained by inoculating calli which were not subcultured into a MS liquid medium supplemented with 1.5 mg·L^-1 2,4-D. The best subculture medium was MS ＋ 0.8 mg＇L-1 2,4-D ＋ 30 g·L^-1 sucrose with a subculture cycle of seven days.     

Micropropagation and callus culture of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saussurea laniceps</Emphasis>, an alpine medicinal plant

Cottonhead windhairdaisy (Saussurea laniceps Hand.-Mazz.) is one of the most famous and important medicinal herbs in China. Illegal collection from wild populations is increasingly threatening the present environment of S. laniceps. Establishment of an efficient method for micropropagation is the best way to change its endangered situation. When mature seeds of S. laniceps were cultured on hormone-free MS medium, plantlets were formed from germinated seeds in 7–10 d. Then 0.5 cm × 0.5 cm leaf explants were transplanted to MS medium supplemented with 1-naphthalene-acetic acid (NAA)/2,4-D and benzyladenine (BA)/KT and callus was achieved 10 d after transfer. Shoot bud regeneration occurred from callus cultured on MS medium supplemented with different growth regulators 20 d after culturing. The regeneration percentages varied with the different components of plant growth regulators. The percent regeneration from callus pretreated at low temperature of 5°C increased significantly compared with those incubated at 23/20°C directly. Optimal regeneration was observed with explants on media supplemented with 1.5 mg&#8226;L^–1 BA plus 0.2 mg&#8226;L^-1 NAA. In the presence of 0.2 mg&#8226;L^–1 NAA in half-strength MS, 78% of the shoots formed roots. Plantlets from explants showed 63% survival after acclimatization.     

Effects of tallowtree seed coat on seed germination

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.     

Effects of pre-sowing treatments on seed germination of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Melia azedarach</Emphasis>

A germination experiment of pre-treated seeds of Melia azedarach was conducted in the nursery of Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Bangladesh. Matured seeds of Melia azedarach were collected from healthy trees of National Botanical Garden, Bangladesh and were treated with five pre-sowing treatments (control, immersion in cold water, immersion in hot water, scarification with sand paper, and immersion in concentrated H₂SO₄) on seed germination. Results revealed that the germination rates of pre-sowing treated seeds were significantly increased compared to those in control, except for cold water treatment. The highest germination success (80%) was found in scarification with sand paper, followed by 74% and 69% in immersion in H₂SO₄ and hot water treatment, respectively. Germination started on 8–11 days and completed on 20–21 days of the germination period in all cases. Analysis of variance showed the significance difference in germination success among the treatments but no significance difference in germination period among the treatment. Hot water treatment may be recommended on seed germination of the species in rural Bangladesh.     

Culling phenotypically inferior trees in seed production area enhances seed and seedling quality of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia auriculiformis</Emphasis>

Improvement in seed and seedling quality of Acacia auriculiformis after culling phenotypically inferior trees was studied in a 6-year old seed production area (SPA). A 5-ha plantation was identified, of which 2.3 ha was converted into SPA. The initial stocking, 1 612 trees·ha⁻¹, was thinned down to 982 trees·ha⁻¹ based on growth characteristics. The following fruiting season, seeds were collected from 10 randomly selected trees in culled and non-culled stands, and seed physical characters, germination and seedling traits were assessed. Seed weight, seed thickness and percentage germination increased by 32.1%, 4.43% and 22.37%, respectively in the culled stand compared to the non-culled stand. Culling also increased the speed of germination, seedling dry weight and seedling vigor index. Heritability values were high for seed weight (0.974) and seed thickness (0.948) while medium values were observed for percentage germination (0.577) and total dry weight (0.534). Predicted genetic gain was 11.13% and 11.22% for seed weight and percentage germination, respectively. The actual gain was 32.1, 51.9 and 22.9% for seed weight, percentage germination and total dry matter, respectively. In conclusion, SPAs established by culling inferior trees could serve as sources of good quality seeds for reforestation programs until genetically improved seeds are made available.     

Optimal and synchronized germination of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Robinia pseudoacacia</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia dealbata</Emphasis> and other woody Fabaceae using a handheld rotary tool: concomitant reduction of physical and physiological seed dormancy

The Fabaceae (legume family) is one of the largest families of plants with a worldwide distribution and a major role in agriculture and in agroforestry. A hard seed coat impermeable to water is a typical feature of several species. Physical dormancy delays and reduces germination so that mechanical, physical and chemical scarification methods have been classically used to break seed dormancy of many species. We evaluate the effectiveness of a methodology to scarify seeds of several woody Fabaceae of ecological and economical importance, including Robinia pseudoacacia and Acacia dealbata and the shrubs Cytisus scoparius, C. multiflorus and Ulex europaeus. We describe the optimized use of a handheld rotary tool (HRT), and compare its effectiveness with other scarification methods reported to break dormancy such as boiling or dry heating. Total germination and/or speed of germination were enhanced after the application of the HRT, with germination percentages significantly higher than those achieved by other methods of scarification. Based on a thorough literature review, a mode of action for the HRT is suggested which could operate by breaking the physical and physiological dormancy of treated seeds through the combined action of coat abrasion and moderate temperatures. Considering these results, we recommend the application of this rapid, effective, low-cost and highly reproducible HRT method to break seed dormancy and enhance germination of these species and others with similar dormancy constraints.     

Embryo culture and rapid propagation of Syringa

Embryo of lilacs (Syringa L) culture in vitro and the rapid propagation were studied. The orthogonal experiments, including the selection of basal medium, embryo age and other factors such as sugar, benzyladenine (BA), naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and glutamine (Gln), were carried out. The results indicated that the optimal medium for embryo culture was Monnier medium supplemented with NAA (0.001 mg.L^-1), BA (0.1 mg.L^-1), sugar (50 g.L^-1), and Gin (400 mg.L^-1), with a germination rate of 91.7% at least; the optimal embryo age was 50 d; and Gln had significant effects on the germination rate of embryo.Moreover, the optimal medium for subculture was MS BA (2 mg.L^-1) NAA (0.001 mg.L^-1) Gln (0.5 mg.L^-1), with the propagation coefficient of 3.6 at least.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> morphogenic response of leaf sheath of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phyllostachys bambusoides</Emphasis>

Nodal segments from secondary branches of saplings of Phyllostachys bambusoides were inoculated in MS medium to assess the in vitro morphogenic response of leaf sheath through the induction to callogenesis by Picloram(4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid) at different concentrations of carbohydrate under the same conditions with presence or absence of luminosity.In our experiment,secondary explants were kept in MS medium containing 8.0 mg·L-1 of Picloram for the callus formation.Calluses were transferred in MS medium supplemented with sucrose,fructose and glucose(control,2%,4% and 6%).Results show that Picloram induced the callogenesis in leaf sheath.The secondary embryogenesis was formed in yellow-globular callus.The sucrose as carbohydrate source in the absence of light was more efficient to induce rhizogenesis.Glucose was more efficiency in the presence of light.Callogenic induction and further embryogenesis evidenced the competence and determination of leaf sheath cells.     

Adventitious shoot regeneration of Platanus acerifolia Willd. facilitated by Timentin, an antibiotic for suppression of Agrobacterium tumefaciens in genetic transformation

The effects of Timentin and cefotaxime (Cef) on shoot regeneration of the London plane tree (Platanus acerifolia Willd.) and their use for the suppression of Agrobacterium tumefaciens in Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation were compared. Shoot regeneration was significantly reduced on the media with Cef at concentrations from 100 to 500 mg·L–1. Timentin showed negative effect on plant regeneration at concentrations of 100 and 500 mg·L–1; however, 300 mg·L–1 Timentin was shown to facilitate shoot r...     

Establishment of a transgenic system in fast-growing black locust （Robinia pseudoacacia L.）

The AhDREB1 gene, cloned from Atriplex hortensis L., was transferred into black locust （Robiniapseudoacacia L.） by an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The results suggest that stems of black locust sub-cultured in vitro for 20 d are suitable for genetic transformation. The optimum concentrations of kanamycin and cefotaxime were 30 and 150 mg.L-1, respectively. Important factors affecting the transformation efficiency were studied by means of a L9（3^4） orthogonal design. An effective system for genetic transformation in black locust was developed as follows： the stems were pre-cultured for 2 d, immersed in the Agrobacterium solution （OD600 = 0.7） with 10 mg·L^-1 acetosyringone for 21 min and then co-cultured for 2 d. The selection pressures, changing from low to high, could improve transformation efficiency. The transgenic plants were identified by a PCR method. The PCR results indicated that the AhDREB1 gene had been integrated into the genome of black locust and two lines of the transgenic plants were obtained.     

Effect of seed coverings and seed pretreatments on the germination response of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alnus glutinosa</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Betula pubescens</Emphasis> seeds

The germination of common alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.) and downey birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.) seeds is often poor in bare-root nurseries. The effect of a variety of seed coverings and a few seed pretreatments on seedling emergence was examined in this study in an attempt to address this problem. Seeds of each species were sown in trays containing nursery soil, covered with grit, gravel, sand, combinations of these coverings, a hydromulch or a sealed plastic cloche and then incubated for 6 weeks at 17–20°C. The grit combined with sand or gravel, the hydromulch and the cloche increased seedling emergence when compared with the standard grit. In another experiment, seeds of each species were fully imbibed (FI) (>50% moisture content, MC), as per standard practice, or adjusted to target MC (TMC) (30–35% MC) levels, and then chilled to release dormancy. Some seeds of each MC treatment were primed at 20°C for 2 days following chilling, after which all seeds were evaluated in laboratory tests and a nursery trial. Germination potential of the FI seeds declined in the lab tests by the second test date, which was reflected in low seedling emergence in the nursery in birch. The primed FI seeds of alder germinated most rapidly in the nursery, but other effects were not significant. Seedling emergence was better in the nursery in response to the TMC than the FI pretreatment in birch.

Effects of mother tree ages,different rooting mediums,light conditions and auxin treatments on rooting behaviour of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dalbergia sissoo</Emphasis> branch cuttings

Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. is one of the promising multipurpose tree species of South Asia. Most of the plantations of D. sissoo from seeds are facing severe threats due to the die-back disease, which ultimately causes death of this potential tree-species within a few months. Vegetative propagation could avoid the die-back disease. Thirty mother trees of different age-groups of D. sissoo were selected for evaluating the rooting behaviour of branch cuttings from D. sissoo as influenced by auxins (IAA or IBA at 100, 200, 500 mg·L⁻¹), ages of mother trees (10, 4 and 2 years old) and different environment conditions, i.e., different mediums (soil and sand) or light conditions (in shade and open condition). The results show that application of IAA and IBA induced more numbers of cuttings (collected from 10-year-old mother trees) to root compared to control. Branch cuttings of D. sissoo collected from 10-year-old mother trees and planted in soil bed in open conditions had 100.0% of cuttings to root in IAA (100 mg·L⁻¹) and IBA (200 mg·L⁻¹) treatments. Both rooting medium (Soil and sand) influenced significantly (p<0.05) on rooting response of branch cuttings. Soil medium was found to achieve maximum no. of branch cuttings to root, compared to sand medium.     

Effect of priming on the germination of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Peltophorum dubium</Emphasis> seeds under water stress

Peltophorum dubium seeds provided by Anhembi, SP were scarified in 98% H2SO4 for 15 rain to overcome mechanical dormancy. Seeds were primed in solutions of 0.2% Captan at 10℃ and 27℃, PEG 6000 -1.0 MPa at 10℃ and 27℃, 0.5 mol KNO3, 0.75 Mol KNO3, 1.0 Mol KNO3. Eight treatments including the primed seeds and nonprimed seeds, five replicates with 100 seeds for each treatment, were set to 15-cm-Petri dish with double filter paper moistened with testing solution PEG in refrigerator at 27℃. For the experiments of all the groups, osmotic potential were 0.0, -0.2, -0.4, -0.6, -0.8, -1.0, -1.2, and -1.4 MPa. P. dubium seeds were also set to water stress experiment in rolled paper with PEG solutions from 0.0 to -1.0 MPa.Germination percentage decreased with the increase of PEG concentration. Control group had a better germination percentage than other groups. Germination hardly occurred in PEG -1.4 MPa.     

Differentiation of seed germination traits in relation to the natural habitats of three <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ulmus</Emphasis> species in Japan

Germination traits of three Japanese Ulmus species, including two summer-fruiting species, U. davidiana var. japonica (UD) and U. laciniata (UL), and an autumn-fruiting species, U. parvifolia (UP), were investigated. Germination tests that controlled light (16 h dark–8 h light/24 h dark) and temperature (alternating 20–30°C/constant 23°C) conditions were conducted just after seed dissemination. Under the preferred (light and alternating temperature) conditions, UD germinated quickly and percentage germination was high (99%), whereas UL and UP germinated moderately to slowly (65.2 and 23.8%, respectively) and the remaining seeds were primarily dormant. When the seeds were exposed to unsuitable conditions for germination, secondary dormancy was induced in all three Ulmus species. Because primary and secondary dormancy of these species was not strict, the existing dormancy could be released by moist conditions and low temperature during the winter. Thus, all three Japanese Ulmus can germinate either just after seed dissemination or in the following spring. Nevertheless, the predominant germination of summer-fruiting UD just after seed dissemination seems to be advantageous for finding safe sites that might become available after a large-scale fluvial disturbance. Similarly, the delayed germination of autumn-fruiting UP until the following spring seems to be advantageous for preventing germination at the end of the growing season. Summer-fruiting UL had a more negative response to favorable light conditions just after seed dissemination, which seems to be advantageous for establishment in canopy gaps. These germination traits seem to be adaptive responses to the dominant disturbance regimes of their natural habitats.     

Evaluation of the inorganic compound leakage and carbohydrates as indicator of physiological potential of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ulmus parvifolia</Emphasis> seeds

Inorganic compound leakage and change of carbohydrate were measured in Ulmus parvifolia seeds throughout accelerated aging under 35°C and 75% relative humidity (RH) to investigate whether these indicators can be used as a rapid vigor test for efficient seed bank management. Accelerated aging seeds treated for 0–14 days exhibited loss of germinability in the longest aging treated seeds (11%, 14 days) compared to a good performance of 52% for control (0 day) seeds. Leachate electrical conductivity (EC) increase had strong negative correlation with seed vigor (−0.9). Magnesium ion concentration in electrolyte leakage from artificial aged seeds showed positive correlation (r = 0.94, P < 0.01). The ratios of inorganic ions showed that K⁺/Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺, and Na⁺/Mg²⁺ were inversely correlated with germination (−0.93, −0.82, and −0.91, respectively). Increases in starch and total soluble sugar content in aged seeds were associated with a decrease in seed vigor. In conclusion, EC, magnesium ion concentration, K⁺/Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺, and Na⁺/Mg²⁺ ratios and starch and total soluble sugar content could provide a sensitive and accurate index for the assessment of U. parvifolia seed vigor.     

Variability in cone and seed characteristics and seed testing in various provenances of Himalayan spruce (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea smithiana</Emphasis>)

We investigated the effect of provenance variation on cone and seed morphology and germination behaviour under different pre- treatments in Picea smithiana. Three categories of cones were recognized: large (13.18 cm × 3.30 cm 15.42 cm × 4.35 cm), medium (10.85 cm × 3.93 cm 12.18 cm × 3.98 cm) and small (7.69 cm × 3.06 10.98 cm× 3.39 cm). Significant variation was observed for various cone and seed characteristics. Seeds moisture content varied from 44.48% to 56.91%, seed size from 0.64 cm × 0.31 cm (largest seed) to 0.49 cm × 0.10 cm (smallest seed), and the seed weight from 2.45 g per 100 seeds to 1.36 g per 100 seeds on fresh weight basis of P. smithiana. The highest seed germination (72.0±7.53%) at 10°C was observed under chilling treatment in Tapovan provenance, while the minimum (15.0±5.71%) seed germina- tion was recorded at 25°C under control set in Tapovan provenance. Further among all the sources Pandukeshwar consistently had the highest average (38%) percent germination across all treatments. Compared to other temperature regimes and pretreatments, seeds subjected to 10°C and chilling treatment had the highest germination and took the least time for germination irrespective of provenance effects. Altitude (provenance) had little or no relationship with germination following laboratory treat- ments. Seeds from Tapovan provenance subjected at 10°C following chilling treatment may be suggested for further multiplication of this species.     

Flotation techniques to improve viability of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Juniperus polycarpos</Emphasis> seed lots

The germination of freshly collected Juniperus polycarpos (K. Koch) seeds is very low and attributed to the large proportion of nonviable seeds in the seed lots. Thus, the aim of this study was to improve seed lot quality by removing nonviable seeds using two flotation techniques: incubation-drying-separation (IDS) and modified specific gravity (MSG) separation. We examined different IDS conditions (the specific incubation time, subsequent drying time and sorting media) for effectively sorting out nonviable seeds; and tested the feasibility of modified SG separation, which involved soaking seeds in water for a certain period before sorting in different concentrations of sucrose solution. Viable seeds were expected to absorb and metabolically bind more water during soaking than dead seeds could, and hence be sorted effectively depending on the viscosity of the sucrose solution. The viability of the seeds that floated or sank was determined in a topographical tetrazolium chloride (TTC) test. For the IDS trial, 7 days incubation followed by 9 h of drying and sedimentation in pure water or 200 g·L^?1 sucrose solution identified, respectively, 75 and 82 % of the seeds as viable (sunken) seeds. For the MSG trail, 77 % viable seeds were recovered in the sunken fraction when seeds were soaked for 48 h then immediately sorted in 600 g·L^?1 sucrose solution. In both cases, the loss of viable seeds in the discarded floating fraction was only 4 %. The results demonstrate that both IDS and MSG separation techniques substantially improved seed lot viability, but MSG separation is simple and needs no modern seed handling facility, and its efficacy relies on seed mass (due to the initial soaking) and the specific density and viscosity of the flotation medium.