title: [Dormancy characteristics and breaking method of seeds from Epimedium wushanense].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To research the mechanism of dormancy and find out the breaking method for the seeds of Epimedium wushanense.
  
  
  METHODS
  The water permeability of seed coat was tested by weighing seeds. The germination inhibitor of the seeds were determined with biotic measurement. The development of embryos, germination rate and germination potential were determined after stratification.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The water permeability of seed coat was 41.86% after 5 h. The extracts of seeds had strong inhibition effects to the length growth of cabbage seedlings. The growth and development of embryos under the cold stratification (5 degrees C) were better than that under the other conditions. The embryo rate extended from 15.39% to 86.21% after 90 d. Germination rate and germination potential after stratification under 5 degrees C were significantly higher than that under other temperatures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results showed that there was no obstacle of water permeability on the test of E. wushanense, after-ripening of embryogenesis and the germination inhibitor of the seed were the main reason for the seed dormancy. The cold stratification would be an effective way for breaking of the dormancy, which could significantly promote the seed embryogenesis and increase germination rate comparing to other methods.
authors: Institute of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
authors: Jiayi
authors: J
authors: Fan
authors: Qiaosheng
authors: Q
authors: Guo
authors: Zuoyi
authors: Z
authors: Liu
authors: Guosheng
authors: G
authors: Zhu
authors: Ning
authors: N
authors: Zhou
authors: Yong
authors: Y
authors: He
mesh_terms: D034181:Epimedium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D057445:Plant Dormancy / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012639:Seeds / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D012997:Solvents / Q000494:pharmacology; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D012997:Solvents; D014867:Water