Effects of moist-chilling and GA_3 applications on seed germination of three Pedicularis species from Yunnan, China

摘要

Most species of the genus Pedicularis L. have rather high ornamental value and some species are medicinal plants. Little is known about the germination requirements of these species and it is necessary to obtain fundamental information about seeds germination for the purpose of introduction and cultivation. Six stratification (4°C and darkness) durations (15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 days) plus control, as well as 3 GA_3 solution concentrations (100, 500, 1000 mg/L) were tested on seeds of Pedicularis rex, P. rhinanthoides, and P. longiflora var. tubiformis. The optimal germination conditions varied between species, while as a whole, the highest germination percentage was obtained from treatments of 500-1000 mg/L G_A3 followed by 15-30days stratification, and the lowest value of mean germination time was obtained from treatments of 100-l000ppm GA_3 followed by 15-day stratification.