The Influence of GA on the Germination of <i>Sophora davidii</i>

Abstract

The seed of Sophora davidii is a high-activity hard seed, of which the seed coat is thick and tough, limiting the penetration of water and exchange of gas in embryo, thereby inhibiting the respiration of seeds and mechanically restraining the growth of embryo. If not treated, the germination rate would be very low. In this study, the Sophora davidii seeds were treated by gibberellin (GA) with different concentrations (0 mg/L, 50 mg/L, 100 mg/L, 200 mg/L, 300 m/L, 500 mg/L) for different times. Then, we measured the quality, length, width, thickness, testa thickness, water absorption sites, germination rate, root length and other physiological and biochemical indexes of seeds, so as to discuss the effect of GA on seed germination and root formation condition of Sophora davidii . The result showed that seed of Sophora davidii had thick and hard coat, and its water absorption sites were not only on hilum. After polishing, seeds treated with 200 mg/L GA3 had the highest germination rate, which reached 95%. Also, its root growth was the longest, reaching 0.05 cm.