Background : This project was conducted to determine proper seed harvest time and seed storage methods of Adenophora triphylla var. japonica Hara. Methods and Results : When Adenophora triphylla var. japonica Hara. transplanted this year, seeding can only be done the following year. Therefore, the seeds harvested in the interval of ten (10) days were investigated for seed harvest amount, germination rate, seed storage temperature and storing on container, between the period late August and mid-October. It is when the seed fructification started and ended. The seeds harvested from the first ten (10) days of October to mid October were 87.9% in whole seeds. The proper seed harvesting time was mid October which has a germination rate of 75% in whole seed harvest time. The lowest germination rate of 27.3% was at the germination temperature of 15℃. As the temperature rises, the germination rate increases. In 29℃, the germination rate was at 79% which is the highest; and from 30℃, the germination rate decreased to 71%. When the storage temperature was at 0℃ after storage of 5 months, the germination rate was at 83%. However, after storage of 12 months, it decreased by 7% that was 76%. When in 4℃, after storage of 5 months the germination rate was at 85%. However, after storage of 12 months it decreased by 8% which was 77%. In room temperature after storage of 5 months, germination rate was at 77%, but after storage of 12 months it decreased by 22% which was 55%. When seeds were stored in vinyl container, it was observed that the germination rate was at 86% after 5 months of storage, which was 9% higher than seed stored in paper which was 77%. After 12 months storage, seed in vinyl container had a germination rate of 71%, which was 3% higher than seed in paper at 68%. Conclusion : It is concluded that the proper time of seed gathering of Adenophora triphylla var. japonica Hara. is during the first ten (10) days of October to mid-October. When the long time storage is needed, below zero temperature with vinyl container is more appropriate.

Background : This study was carried out to provide the basic data for selection of excellent resources and true seeds of southern medicinal plant (Camellia japonica). Methods and Results : The germination rate at room temperature and 4℃ dry storage did not show a tendency according to seed weight. The germination rate of 4℃ wet sand storage increased with seed weight but showed very low germination rate at 120 days of storage. The germination rate at 4℃ wet filter paper storage was higher than 80% in 60 days, 90 days and 120 days storage, and there was no difference in germination rate with seed weight. The mean number of germination days was about 30 days in average at room temperature and 4℃ dry storage, but wet storage (sand, filter paper) was short as about 13 days. Conclusions : The seeding of Camellia japonica seeds (last autumn harvest) in the spring of the next year was evaluated as the most efficient way to 4℃ wet filter paper storage

Germination characteristics, seedling emergence, and early seedling growth of iron-coated rice seeds, cultivars Daebo and Samdeokbyeo, under different water depths were compared with those of non-coated seeds (control) and the results evaluated to obtain basic information for establishing stable seedlings in direct water seeding. The total germination percentage of the two seed treatments was similar, but iron-coated seeds had slightly faster germination and shorter mean germination time than non-coated seeds. Water absorption rates of iron-coated seeds were lower than that of non-coated seeds during seed germination. The germination percentage of the two iron-coated rice seed cultivars showed a significant decline of 15-22% after one year of storage under natural conditions. The seedling emergence percentage and uniformity of the two rice cultivars were significantly higher in the iron-coated seeds at 1-13 cm water depths but the percentage of floating seedlings was lower in iron-coated seeds than in non-coated seeds. The iron-coated seeds had a high seedling emergence percentage of 91.3-93.3% at all flooding depths whereas the non-coated seeds had a significantly low seedling emergence percentage of 57.7-71.7% at a water depth of 13 cm. Moreover, the shoot dry weight and seedling health score of iron-coated seeds were significantly higher than those of non-coated seeds, while root dry weights were similar in iron-coated and non-coated seeds, regardless of water depth. These results suggest that iron-coated seeds are more appropriate for stable seedling establishment in direct water seeding than are non-coated seeds.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the endophytic bacterium Herbaspirillum spp effect on seed germination and sprout growth of tartary buckwheat. Inoculant concentration (%v/v) and seed soaking time were applied 10, 20 and 40% and 0, 4, 8, 12 hour, respectively. The experiment was carried out in a growth chamber maintained temperature at 20, 25 and 30ºC without light for 7 days. Results showed that, 10 to 20% (v/v) inoculant concentration by 4 to 8 h seed soaking time at 20°C temperature increased seed vigor rate and total seed germination rate 80-95% and 90-100%, respectively. On the other and, seed inoculation with Herbaspirillum spp. increased hypocotyl length (13-15 ㎝), root length (8-11 ㎝), total fresh weight (135-296 g) and total dry weight (7-10 g), compared to control. It is indicated that sprouts growth and yield depends on inoculation concentrations, seed soaking time and temperature. Therefore, it would be suggested that seed inoculation with Herbaspirillum spp. at concentration of 10 to 20% (v/v), soaking time 4 to 8 h and temperature 20°C promote seed germinations and sprout growth rate of tartary buckwheat.

For the last few decades, much research has been tried to improve crop’s characteristics such as crop yield, quality, seeding period and environmental adaptability. In this paper, the effect of nanobubbles on the germination rate of barley seed is experimentally investigated. The air nanobubble was generated in water by gas-liquid mixing method. The results were shown that the mean diameter and concentration of nanobubble fabricated in DI water are 133 ㎚ and 8.59✕108 particles/㎖, respectively. Also, the seed germination rate for the nanobubble water was approximately 40 % higher than that of pure water.

Due to problems concerned with environment pollution in urban areas, the city dwellers’ social demand for urban green space is ever more increasing. The purpose of this investigation is to define the relationship between the Ornamental Linum usitatissimum L. seed germination and temperature for effective use of the seed. The petri-dish (90 mm in diameter) was covered with two sheets of filter papers and 50 Ornamental Linum usitatissimum L. was layered for four times. After then, 10ml of distilled water was supplied. Then, the sprouting test was conducted in chamber where the temperature was controlled at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35°C. The light was adjusted to 12 hours. The source of light was 1341㎛ol･m -2 s -1 by using fluorescent light and halogen. The germination growth was investigated on two day term after the radicle projected by 3 mm. The investigation stopped when there was no further germination growth for seven days. The finding was that the final sprout growth rate was 80% at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30°C, while it was 70% at 35°C. In the optimal temperature investigation that leveraged normal distribution function standardized at the reciprocal of T50, the temperature was found to be 12~13°C, and the sprout growth rate was 80% within the range of 5~30°C.

Background : Perilla frutescens L. is a bisexual, annual plant belonging to the Labiatae. Dormancy period of Perilla seed usually ranged from 85-200 days. The germination enhancing effects in a reduced seed vigor during the GA3 treatment has been reported. Objectives of the present study was to evaluate the effect of GA3 on germination rate and the expression of germination-related genes expression by using perilla seeds. Methods and Results : Three different cultivars (Saeyeopsil, Okdong) and accession (line 141) of perilla were used in the experiment and treated with GA3 at different concentration (50, 100, 300, 500 μM) for one day at dark condition. Germination test for perilla seed was carried out by using 100 perilla seeds treated with GA3 at 25℃. Rate of germination were evaluated after 10 days and the experiments were repeated three times in similar condition. Samples were collected from each cultivar and accessions for RNA extraction. After cDNA synthesis quantification, templates were subjected to RT-PCR using actin primers. EST blast performed for sequencing the RT-PCR products. Conclusion : Result showed that 100μM GA3 treated seeds of three perilla cultivars and accessions showed the highest germination rate. However, concentration of GA3 over 100 μM and lower than 100 μM resulted into reduced germination rate. Furthermore, expression of germination-related genes from 100 μM treated GA3 was higher compared to untreated sample by using 100 μM GA3 treated sample by using pC12, pJ14 primers.

This research was performed to develop seminal propagation method of Saururus chinensis (Lour.) Baill. by conducting a rigorous germination study. Well-selected seeds were dry-stored at 4 ± 1.0℃ during the experiment. To study dormancy type, non-stored seeds were analyzed by embryo observation, germination test and detecting for any difficulties in seed coat to absorb moisture. Then to improve germination, seeds were submerged for 24 hours in a solution of varying concentrations containing one of plant growth regulators and minerals. According to research, fleshly matured seeds had an undifferentiated embryo and had a low germination rate below 5%. In addition, water submersion led to moisture absorption, embryo in the seeds grew and germinated so it was deemed morphophysiological dormant seeds. Percent germination (PG) and germination energy (GE) was greatly improved by soaking in plant growth regulators and minerals for 24 hours. Especially, 500 ㎎/L GA3 treatment resulted in the highest GE as 46.1%. KNO3 meaningfully improved PG (54.3∼57.7%) at 10∼20 mM but effect of minerals on germination acceleration as GE were negatively impacted in all concentrations.

This study was carried out to develop an effective seed propagation method for Thalictrum rochebrunianum var. grandisepalum (H. Lev.) Nakai by analyzing seed dormancy types and germination characteristics. Seeds were collected between September to October at Gangwon province, and well-selected seeds were used while being dry-stored at 4±1℃. The seed size ranged 4.52 × 1.58 ㎜ and the weight of thousand seeds were 1,603.5 ± 0.02 ㎎. The moisture content was 7.2%. Seeds were achene type, and morphology characters showed an elliptical shape and rough texture, and light brown in color. Moist-chilling treatment was conducted for dormancy breaking because the seeds had an undeveloped embryo of liner type. The embryo had developed during a moist-chilling period, constantly, and fully developed in 10 weeks. Consequently, it seemed to be non-deep complex or intermediate complex type of morphophysiological dormancy, and embryo dormancy was broken by wet-chilling for 10 weeks. After 10 weeks of wet-chilling treatment, seed germination began. Germination percentage was higher in dark condition raher than light condition and recorded the maximum at 25℃ in the dark (16.3%). A pre-soaking treatment with a combined plant growth hormones promoted germination and shortened T50. Specifically, seed germination of 84.5% was achieved by pre-soaking of seeds with a combined solution of 500 ㎎/L GA3 and 10 ㎎/L kinetin for 24 h after a wet-chilling treatment for 10 weeks. Thus the effect of plant growth hormones coupled with chilling temperature on seed breaking dormancy provide asubsequent growth of seedlings for successful plantation.

Background : barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), is a member of the grass family Poaceae (Gramineae) consider the fourth most important cereal crop and primarily used to feed the animals. The second most common use of barely is for malt, which is used mostly in beer, but also in hard liquor, malted milk and flavoring in a variety of foods. As immense economic importance a fast and high germination is required in order to achieve its desired production. In regard to this the present study was performed to evaluate the effect of beneficial microbes (BM), on barely seed germination when mixed with in the synthetic germination medium. Methods and Results : Barely seeds were surface sterilized using 0.01% HgCl2 solution and transfer for germination in the medium supplemented with 200 and 500 X diluted BM separately. Effectiveness of the BM were determined by calculating the germination percentage (GP), germination index (GI), mean germination time (MGT), germination time 50% (T50) and compared with control seeds germinating in absence of BM. Results obtained from the study suggest that BM at 200 X dilution is much efficient to speed up the germination process (66.7 ± 2.3 %) in contrast to 500X diluted BM (61.4 ± 3.6 %). Results of the other germination parameters (GI, MGT and T50) supported the 200X BM effective for seed germination as compare to 500X and control. Conclusion : Our results signify that BM has potential to enhance the germination efficacy of barley seeds and thus could be used to improve the germination.

Factors affecting germination of seeds in the forms of various environment and chemical compounds. The present study was aim to produced effective seed propagation method of Astilbe koreana (Kom.) Nakai which had expected high value for the cut flower, ornamental and pharmaceutical material. Seed width and length ranged 0.62, 2.22 ㎜, respectively, and weight of thousand seeds was 40.5 ㎎. As result of imbibition test, showed moisture content of fresh seed (2.57%) increased rapidly by water-soaking treatment under 24 hours, recording to maximum value of 29.8%, and expansion of the seed coat was observed. Seed germination was the best at 15℃ and light conditions (40.8%) among temperature and light conditions treated. Percent germination of seeds was improved under the low (15, 20℃) than high temperature (25, 30℃). In addition, the seed was not germinated at dark condition regardless of temperature. Seeds of A. koreana thus seemed that it had low temperature germinability conditions. To improve germination rate, seeds were submerged in various concentrations of growth regulators such as GA3 and kinetin, and minerals as KNO3 and KCl. As a results, KNO3 treatment, regardless of concentrations, promoted germination compared to control. Especially, percent of germination (77.8%), germination energy (96.1%), mean germination time (11.3 days) and T50 (6.5 days) were effectively improved by treatment of KNO3 20 mM.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate methods to reduce seeding expenses, thereby increasing farm income. This study investigated the effects of rain shelter controlled cultivation and adapted seeding times on the stable seed production of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. Methods and Results: Seed germination was conducted under 10 condition compose to control, water washing, cold storage at 4℃ for 15 days, seed sterilization with a benomyl pesticides, hormone treated seed by submerging in 100 ppm GA3 with the cold storage at 20℃ and 25℃, darkness in a covered petridish and illuminated with a 1,500 Lux lamp. There were three cultivation type, open cultivation with non-woven fabric mulching, cultivation with a vinyl covering and rain sheltered in a plastic greenhouse. Sowing dates were April 27, May 18, June 7 and June 28, 2013. Plants were spaced 10 ㎝ apart in rows 30 ㎝ apart. Mixed oil cake fertilizer, N-P2O5-K2O (12-10-10) was applied at 600 ㎏• 10 a−1. Conclusions: Optimum germination occured in darkness at 25℃ and cold storage after submerging in GA3. The highest seed yields (4.5 ㎏• 10 a−1) occurred in the plastic greenhouse for the April 25 sowing. The highest root yield (17%) was found on April 1, under greenhouse conditions.

Humankind has been searching for medicinal materials from various plant sources in an attempt to treat disease. Mistletoe is one indubitable plant source for these materials due to its effectiveness in treating various diseases, but it has almost disappeared from the mountainous areas of Korea due to excessive harvesting. In this study, in order to select host tree species for Korean mistletoe [Viscum album var. coloratum (Kom.) Ohwi] by seed inoculation and to clarify the effect of host specificity among various tree species were conducted for the purpose of gaining basic information for the artificial cultivation of Korean mistletoe. Almost all the seeds of Korean mistletoe germinated in vitro at the temperature of 15℃. Among host trees used in this study, Prunus mume showed the highest parasitic affinity with inoculated Korean mistletoe, compared with any other host plants. However, treatment of hormones could not increase the low survival rate of Korean mistletoe on the host trees.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of fruit set internode on the germination of watermelon seeds. Generally fruits setted in higher than 20 internode were high percent of germination, fruit setted in low internode(5-10) is low. The higher fruit-set internode, fruit weight was significantly increased, but 1,000 seed weight was decreased the more fruit set internode. However number of seed was about 300 seeds irrespective of fruit-set internode. Investigating viability of seed by BP test, general percent germination was recorded highest at 5 flower cluster above 20 internode of fruit-set internode. In contrast, condition of fruit setted on 3, 4, 6 flower cluster were high percent of germination, regarded as unnormal germination not to be as normal seedling by 2~3%. Seed harvested at 5 flower-cluster had high viability on hypocotyl height and diameter of seedling through early growth test, but were not significant. Therefore 5 flower-cluster was optimum fruit-set internode to obtain high-quality seed.

Seeds of colored rice generally have high anthocyanin and flavonoid content but some cultivars have low seed germination rate. This defect poses unstable seedling establishment in nursery bed. The seed gravity variations of 10 colored rice varieties and its effect on germination, seed soaking duration and their optimum seeding rates for seedling raising in machine transplanting were investigated in the experiment. Based on seed gravity distribution of the 7 black- and 3 red-colored rice varieties at three levels of seed gravity (1.0<, 1.0~1.06, 1.06>), the black colored seeds such as Josaengheugchal and Sinmyungheugchal had high amount of specific gravity of below 1.0 ranging from 86~ 96%, while they had only 3~13% of seeds in specific gravity above 1.06. Sintoheugmi, Heugjinju, Heugnam, Heugkwang had various mass of seeds, showing 29~44% for specific gravity of below 1.0, 24~39% for 1.0~1.06 and 25~45% for above 1.06. On the other hand, the red colored rice such as Hongjinju, Jeogjinju and Geonkanghongmi had high percentage of specific gravity of above 1.06 with 84~86% while they had only 9~12% of specific gravity below 1.0 similar to Ilmibyeo of noncolored rice. The black colored seed generally showed low germination percentage, slow germination speed and long mean germination time, and low water absorption rate as compared with seed of the red colored rice which was similar to those of Ilmibyeo used as a control cultivar. The black colored seeds took 2~4 days longer seed soaking duration than the red colored rice before germination. This was related to high seed amount of specific gravity below 1.0 in black colored rices. The high amount of seed gravity above 1.06 in the colored rice seeds was positively correlated with percentage of germination, germination speed and mean germination time, ripened grain ratio and water absorption. Seed gravity distribution effect were less pronounced between back- and red- colored seeds in seedling emergence. The black colored rice has slightly lower normal seedling emergence rate than the red colored rice and Ilmibyeo in the seedbed soil due to high percentage of ungerminated seed. Normal seedling emergence rate of the black colored rice in the seedbed was 75.2~82.2% for 10-day old seedling and 85.3~ 90.9% for 30-day old seedling which was lower by 4.5~ 8.0% and 0~3.3%, respectively, than the red colored rice. Based on the normal seedling number per tray of Ilmibyeo for seeding rate of 10-day and 30-day old seedlings, the recommended seeding rate of black colored rice is 200~ 220g seeds for the 10-day old seedling and 110~130g for the 30-day old seedling in transplanting rice while the seeding rate of the red colored rice was 220g seeds for the 10-day old seedling and 130g for the 30-day old seedling.

Seed germination is a key developmental transition that initiates the plant life cycle. The timing of germination is determined by coordinated action of two phytohormones, gibberellin (GA) and abscisic acid (ABA). In particular, ABA plays a key role in integrating environmental information and inhibiting the germination process. Utilization of embryonic lipid reserves contributes to seed germination by acting as an energy source, and ABA suppresses lipid degradation to modulate the germination process. Here, we report that the ABA-responsive R2R3-type MYB transcription factor MYB96, which is highly expressed in embryo, regulates seed germination by controlling the expression of ABA-INSENSITIVE 4 (ABI4). In the presence of ABA, germination was accelerated in MYB96-deficient myb96-1 seeds, whereas the process was significantly delayed in MYB96-overexpressing activation-tagging myb96-ox seeds. Consistently, myb96-1 seeds degraded a larger extent of lipid reserves even in the presence of ABA, while reduced lipid mobilization was observed in myb96-ox seeds. MYB96 directly regulates ABI4, which acts as a repressor of lipid breakdown, to define its spatial and temporal expression. Genetic analysis further demonstrated that ABI4 is epistatic to MYB96 in the control of seed germination. Taken together, the MYB96-ABI4 module regulates lipid mobilization specifically in the embryo to ensure proper seed germination under suboptimal conditions.

Grain color distinguishes between the pigmentation of the outer layer of the kernel. It is known that environmental factors affects the production of anthocyanins and abiotic stresses like high light intensity, low temperature, high salinity and/or drought stress, and others increase their amounts. After 7 days the germination rate between yellow and dark-purple seeds were almost the same with and without stress (100% yellow seeds under stress and without stress germinated, 93.3% under stress and 96.6% without stress of purple seeds germinated), even though at the final stage the germination was almost the same, we can conclude base on our observations that the germination takes place at a different rate. We think that this might be related to the seed color, since the germination of purple seeds under salt stress started earlier than the yellow ones, until both reached the same point. The antioxidant activity was higher in seedlings from dark-purple seeds than the yellow ones, and they were higher under salt stress than without it, supporting our hypothesis that the purple color in wheat seeds works as a protection under salt stress. Furthermore, the qRT-pCR showed that some genes related to the flavonoid pathway were expressed or had more expression in the seedlings from dark-purple seeds than yellow ones.

This study was conducted to affirm the potential of seed priming techniques for optimizing mechanized growing technologies to maintain production of sustainable small cereal crops. Seed priming conditions were preliminary tested in laboratory. Sorghum seeds were hydroprimed and osmoprimed comprising a total of 33 treatments of different priming combination along with control. Seed primed in aerated solution of distilled water, PEG8000 (-0.15 MPa and –0.3 MPa), KCl(1% and 2%), KH2PO4 (0.5% and 1.0%), KNO3 (1.0% and 3.0%), CaCl2 (1.0% and 3.0%) solutions for 6, 12, 24 hours at 15℃. Maximum seed germination percentage, germination rate and reduced mean germination times (MGT) were observed when the seeds primed by CaCl2 1.0% for 24 h, whereas the lowest germination percentage observed in seeds which treated with KNO3 3% solution. Priming improved the MGT, germination index, and germination rate of all primed seeds statistically comparing to control. The MGT reduced by increase of treatment time. Further studies for field performance of primed seeds are needed.