[Studies on biological characteristics and germination conditions of Thladiantha dubia seeds].
OBJECTIVE
To study the biological characteristics and find out the optimum condition for germination of seed of Thladiantha dubia Bunge for its standardized culturing.


METHODS
The weight per 1 000 seeds, seed moisture content and seed viability were determined. The biological characteristics were studied and germination conditions of seed of T. dubia were tested under following conditions: different seed soaking time, different temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30, 35 degrees C) and different irradiation time (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 min).


RESULTS
The average length, width and thickness of T. Dubia seed were 4.96, 3.25 and 1.08 mm, respectively. The weight per 1 000 seeds was 14.03 g; the seed moisture content was 10.10%; the seed viability was 90.33%. Under the same condition of light, temperature and other factors, the seed germination percentage and germination energy were the highest after seed soaking 24 h. The suitable temperature range of seeds was form 25 degrees C to 35 degrees C. Under different irradiation time, the seed germination percentage and germination energy were the highest after irradiation 10 min. In different germinating beds, the seeds germination percentage and germination energy were the highest on paper (TP), which was 89.33%.


CONCLUSIONS
The optimum condition for the germination of the seed of T. dubia is seed soaking 12 h, irradiation 10 min, 25-30 degrees C on filter paper.
Institute of Chinese Mateia Medica, Chengde Medical College Hebei Key Laboratory of Research and Development for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengde 067000, China. zhchy-50@sohu.com
Chun-Ying
CY
Zhao
Zhan-Hui
ZH
Su
Xiao-Xia
XX
Mao
Ji-Ming
JM
Tong
D019662:Cucurbitaceae / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D018525:Germination / Q000528:radiation effects; D012639:Seeds; D013696:Temperature