Seed viability testing provides valuable information for assessing seed lot germinability. However, most testing methods require destruction of seed prior to test. Because the dissected seeds for viability test cannot be used further evaluation, the nondestructively X-ray photography technique that can be applied for the evaluation of seed quality has been developed. In order to know the validity and accuracy of X-ray photography technique in seed evaluation test that conducted to remove the abnormal seed from a seed lot, we have compared the results from tetrazolium viability test, germination test and X-ray contrast method in cotton. Metallic salts treatment increased the efficiency of X-ray photographic method by enhancing the penetration of X-ray in abnormal or damaged seeds rather than normal seeds that have strong and well-organized tissues in seed. Cotton seeds presoaked for 16 hr in distilled water followed by soaking into metallic salt solution (5% NaI in water) for 60 min were easily classified seeds into dead seed and viable seed based on the radiography images obtained by X-ray radiation. We concluded that soft X-ray photography was reliable to find out the various defective characters due to heat and mechanical damage of seeds.

Several presowing seed treatments have been used to facilitate the seed germination and seedling emergence. The study was performed to design a model of presowing seed treatments in Taraxacum platycarpum. Germination and seedling growth responses to temperature, drying, chilling, GA3 and priming were investigated to know the optimum germination conditions and presowing treatment. The optimum temperature condition for germination and seedling growth were 15~20℃ at dark condition. The seeds exposed to infra red light, however, did not germinate. The moisture content of seeds dried at 35℃ for 3.5 hours was returned to the level of unimbibed seeds. The germination of seeds dried under dark condition was better than those dried under infra red light. Prechilling treatment imposed for 6 weeks showed higher germination rate than GA3 treatment or priming. In field test, the highest field emergence was observed in the seeds dried after prechilled for 6 weeks and followed by drying followed by GA3 〉 low temperature 〉 KNO3 priming. Imbibition with 0.1 mM GA3 solution for 2 hours then drying at 35 for 3.5 hour under dark condition was effective to the practical presowing treatment for Taraxacum seeds.

파종부터 유묘출현까지 2년이 소요되는 둥굴레의 종자번식에서 육묘기간을 단축하기 위하여는 우선적으로 적절한 상배축 휴면타파 방법이 설정되어야 할 것이다. 본 시험은 둥굴레의 상배축 휴면타파 방법 을 설정 하고자 GA3 1.0 mM을 2일 간격으로 2회 또는 4회 (4일 : 8일) 관주하거나, 4, 6, 8, 12주간 3℃의 저온처리를 가한 후 유묘 출현과 생장에 관련된 형질을 조사하였던 바 그 결과를 요약하면 다음과 같다. GA3 처리시 자엽(子葉) 파열수(破裂數)는 처리 직후에는 4일 보다 8일 처리에서 높았으나 시간이 경과할수록 처리효과가 소멸된 반면, 상배축 신장이 이루어지지 않아 출현 유묘가 전혀 없었다. 따라서 GA3을 이용한 둥굴레의 상배축 휴면타파는 실험실에서 소규모로 행할 경우는 가능하다고 할지라도 상토를 이용한 다량육묘에서는 적용이 불가능한 것으로 나타났다. 이러한 원인은 GA3 용액의 관주처리시 자엽초는 파열되나 상배축이 여러 겸의 자엽초로 싸여져 있기 때문에 GA3 용액에 노출되지 않은 결과로 해석된다. 한편 자엽초 파열과 상배축 신장이 원활히 이루어지는 저온처리는 다량육묘에 이용이 가능하다고 할 수 있다. 그러나 입묘 정도는 저온처리 기간에 의하여 영향을 받는 것으로 나타났는데 적어도 6주의 저온처리가 가하여져야 할 것으로 분석되었다.