Chinese Cabbage Seeds Research Articles

加工工艺对包壳大白菜种子质量的影响

加工工艺对包壳大白菜种子质量的影响

CO2 Absorption Using Biogas Slurry: CO2 Absorption Enhancement Induced by Biomass Ash

Biogas slurry can be adopted as a renewable CO2 absorbent to combine CO2 absorption with CO2 biological fixation. However its CO2 absorption performance should be enhanced. In the study, biomass ash was adopted as the additive to increase free ammonia concentration in the biogas slurry. And the effect of biomass ash dosage on CO2 absorption performance of biogas slurry was investigated in the typical bubbling absorption apparatus. Additionally, phytotoxicity of CO2-rich biogas slurry before or after adding biomass ash was experimented as well in terms of the germination index of Chinese cabbage seeds. Results showed that CO2 absorption performance of biogas slurry can be enhanced by adding biomass ash due to the leaching of some alkaline substances from biomass ash, and net CO2 absorption capacity of biogas slurry generally increases with the biomass ash dosage. Cotton stalk ash has the best performance because net CO2 absorption capacity can increase to by about 600% compared to that of raw biogas slurry when the dosage is about 200g/L. After adding biomass ash, CO2-rich biogas slurry still has low phytotoxicity to the germination of cabbage seeds. When high CO2 absorption capacity, low phytotoxicity and low biomass ash dosage are all considered, 100g/L may be the optimal dosage for cotton stalk ash. In addition, the dosage of 50g/L should be considered for rich straw ash and corn stalk ash. However, 200g/L should be added into biogas slurry for groundnut shell ash.

Prolonged storage reduced the positive effect of hydropriming in Chinese cabbage seeds stored at different temperatures

Primed seeds generally deteriorate and lose beneficial effects of priming during subsequent dry storage. Therefore, it is necessary to determine how long the positive effects of priming could maintain in primed seeds stored at ambient temperature. In present study, naturally aged Chinese cabbage seeds were hydroprimed at 20°C in the dark for 10h. The primed seed were stored at 4, 20 or 30°C, respectively, and samples were tested at regular intervals (1, 3, 6 and 9months). Results indicated that the germination attributes (germination percentage, germination rate and seedling vigor index) of primed Chinese cabbage seeds stored at 30°C for 9months significantly decreased compared with un-stored primed seeds, even worse than non-primed seeds. However, such negative effects were not observed in primed seeds stored at 4°Cand 20°C for 9months and 30°C for 6months. The diminished beneficial effects of hydropriming can be attributed to decreased activities of peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT), soluble sugar and soluble protein content, with increased malondialdehyde (MDA) in primed Chinese cabbage seeds.

A Novel Auto-Sorting System for Chinese Cabbage Seeds.

This paper presents a novel machine vision-based auto-sorting system for Chinese cabbage seeds. The system comprises an inlet-outlet mechanism, machine vision hardware and software, and control system for sorting seed quality. The proposed method can estimate the shape, color, and textural features of seeds that are provided as input neurons of neural networks in order to classify seeds as “good” and “not good” (NG). The results show the accuracies of classification to be 91.53% and 88.95% for good and NG seeds, respectively. The experimental results indicate that Chinese cabbage seeds can be sorted efficiently using the developed system.

三种方法对结球白菜种子精选效果比较

结球白菜种子分别进行坡选、筛选和色选，对精选后不同类别的种子进行重量测定、发芽试验、幼苗特性分析和抗老化处理。试验结果表明，不同类别的种子在千粒重、发芽特性、幼苗特性和抗老化能力方面存在明显差异。通过坡选加筛选的方法，去除种子批中25.1%的种子，可以提高剩余活力种子和萌发整齐度。 Seeds of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. Pekinensis) are upgraded by gravity deck and/or sieve or color separator. The weight, germination, seedling performance and sensitivity to accel-erated deterioration of seeds from all fractions after upgrading are tested. The obvious difference among different fractions could be found. The seed vigor and germination uniformity can be enhanced after upgrading by gravity deck and sieve, while 25.1% seeds with lower vigor are removed from the seedlot.

Heavy metals in sludge during anaerobic sanitary landfill: Speciation transformation and phytotoxicity

Sanitary landfill persists as a predominant sludge disposal method in particular in China. In this study, successive subsurface sludge samples (0.3 m deep) were collected from a bioreactor landfill unit where an anaerobic process took place during a 500 d period. The sludge samples were analyzed for total concentrations of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) and their species distributions, together with selected sludge chemical properties. In addition, the sludge samples were subjected to phytotoxicity testing. The results showed that the mobilities of Cd and Ni were decreased with landfill time, while the mobilities of Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn remained consistently low over the landfill period. The residual amounts of all these heavy metals were increased with landfill time, suggesting that the anaerobic sanitary landfill is an effective sludge stabilization method to reduce the ecological risk of these heavy metals. The increase in the sludge pH value with landfill time tended to promote the precipitation of heavy metals. Moreover, the sludge stabilization was found to be indicated by the formation of humic substance (HS) and volatilization of volatile matter (VM). The germination index (GI) values of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa chinensis) seeds grown in the 500 d anaerobically stabilized sludge were approximately 5.2- and 4.1-times higher than the values of those grown in the fresh sludge. The final sludge extract did not cause any significant inhibitory effect on the germination of the two types of seeds.

Tolerance to Salt Stress by Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria on Brassica rapa var. glabra

Salinity has been a threat to agriculture in some parts of the world; and recently, the threat has grown. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) may benefit plant growth, either by improving plant nutrition or producing plant growth hormones. The effects of rhizobacterial strains to attenuate the salinity stress on the germination of Chinese cabbage seeds were tested using four different concentrations of NaCl (50, 100, 150, and 200 mM). Also, PGPR strains were tested to enhance the early germination of Chinese cabbage seeds under normal conditions. Azotobacter chroococcum performed best with enhancing the radicle length of 4.0, 1.2, and 1.0 times at treatments of 50, 100, and 150 mM of NaCl, respectively. Additionally, significant differences were found in plumule length, A. chroococcum and Lactobacillus sp. showed remarkable activation either in normal or under stress conditions. Co-inoculation by three rhizobacterial strains (LAPmix) indicated synergistic effect to enhance the early germination of the seeds. The results of this study are promising for application of rhizobacterial strains that possess plant growth promoting traits to enhance the plant tolerance against salinity.

The Prevention of Tipburn on Chinese Cabbage (Brassica rapa L. var. pekinensis (Lour.) Olson) with Foliar Fertilizers and Biostimulators

Abstract Investigations were carried out in 2008-2010 on Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. var. pekinensis (Lour.) Olson). The main problem in cultivation of this vegetable is physiological disorder – tipburn. It is connected with low level of calcium in young leaves and with water deficiency. In 2008, seeds of Chinese cabbage were sown twice, in April and July. In July, the day temperature was high (25-30 °C) and relative air humidity was low (35-50%). In these conditions, the young leaves were injured heavily. Rotting was caused by the activity of bacteria Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Jones) Hauben et al. However, three times foliar application of 1.5% calcium nitrate or 1.5% Wapnovit significantly reduced the tipburn. Also spraying with 0.03% of Tytanit (containing ions of titanium) or with 2.5% of Biochikol 020 PC (containing chitosan) gave similar effect. In these conditions, application of 1.5% K-300 (containing potassium oxide and ammonium nitrate) exacerbated symptoms of tipburn. Application of Wapnovit or Tytanit reduced instantly rotting of heads contrary to the application of their mixture. In autumn cultivation, when the relative air humidity was 80-100%, spraying with 1.5% solution of K-300 significantly decreased injuries in comparison to control. Application of Wapnovit, K-300, Biochikol, Tytanit or the mixture of Biochikol and calcium nitrate eliminated rotting. In experiments done in the springs of 2009 and 2010, when weather conditions were less favorable for tipburn appearance, a severity of it was lower but application of K-300 increased it appearance. In these experiments, Biochikol and Wapnovit eliminated rotting of heads. The results of three years of study have shown that calcium nitrate, Wapnovit, Tytanit and Biochikol limited occurrence of tipburn and bacterial rotting of Chinese cabbage, but the weather conditions during cultivation had the greatest impact on the severity of tipburn.

Causes and Breaking of Seed Dormancy in Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida L.)

Cornus florida seeds show strong dormancy. In this study, we investigated the causes of the dormancy by assessing the permeability of the stony endocarp, the germination of seeds after mechanical dissection, and the effect of endogenous inhibitors. Water uptake by intact and cracked seeds during imbibition showed that the endocarp formed a strong barrier for water absorption. Meanwhile, extracts from endocarp decreased the germination frequency of chinese cabbage seeds from 99.3% (control) to 2.7%. Therefore, the endocarp was the mechanical barrier and contained endogenous inhibitors for seed germination. However, the germination percentage of decoated seeds and dissected seeds with the exposed radicle were only 13.3% and 28.7%, respectively. It was found that the endosperm also played a role in seed dormancy. Extracts from endosperm decreased the germination frequency of chinese cabbage seeds from 99.3% (control) to 53.0%. By contrast, extracts from embryo did not affect the germination of chinese cabbage seeds. When tested with the excised embryos, germination percentage was up to 85.3% at the 16th day of incubation. Taking these results together, we concluded that the endocarp and endosperm were responsible for seed dormancy in C. florida. To break the seed dormancy of C. florida, stratification and soaking in sulfuric acid are the effective means. The highest germination frequency was achieved by immersing seeds in 98% sulfuric acid for 10 minutes, then soaking the seeds in 500 mg·L−1 gibberellic acid (GA3) for 72 hours before cold stratification at 5 °C for 60 days.

Effects of the size and morphology of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the germination of Chinese cabbage seeds.

The toxicity of four zinc oxide nanoparticles (i.e., spheric ZnO-30, spheric ZnO-50, columnar ZnO-90, and hexagon rod-like ZnO-150) to the seed germination of Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis L.) was investigated in this study. The results showed that zinc oxide nanoparticles (nano-ZnOs) did not affect germination rates at concentrations of 1-80 mg/L but significantly inhibited the root and shoot elongation of Chinese cabbage seedlings, with the roots being more sensitive. The inhibition was evident mainly during seed incubation rather than the seed soaking process. Both the production of free hydroxyl groups (·OH) and the Zn bioaccumulation in roots or shoots resulted in toxicity of nano-ZnOs to Chinese cabbage seedlings. The toxicity of nano-ZnOs was affected significantly by their primary particle sizes in the minimum dimensionality, but large columnar ZnO-90 and small spherical ZnO-50 had comparable toxicities. Therefore, both the particle size and morphology affected the toxicity of nano-ZnOs.

Avaliação de mudas oriundas de sementes agroecológicas de couve chinesa (Brassica pekinensis) em dois tamanhos de bandeja

The use and production of agroecological seeds are promising alternatives to small farmers in organic growth system. In this context, this work aimed to verify the performance of agroecological seeds of Chinese cabbage, associated with the size of the tray, evaluating the characteristics of the seedlings: percentage of emergence, shoot height, root length, and fresh and dry weights. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the Department of Agronomy of UNICENTRO in Guarapuava, Parana State. We used a 2 x 2 completely randomized factorial design, with five replicates and 16 seeds per plot. The first factor was the origin of the seeds (agroecological and conventional), and the second factor was two trays (128 and 200 cells). Seedlings from agroecological seeds showed high percentage of emergence, shoot height and fresh weight compared to conventional seeds. About the size of the tray, it was verified that the trays of 128 cells are more effective to get vigorous seedlings, due the better results in shoot height, root length and fresh weight. There was no significant interaction between seed type and size of the tray. Thus the agroecological seeds are a viable alternative for the production of Chinese cabbage seedlings.

Change of Germination Rate for Chili Pepper and Chinese Cabbage Seed in Relation to Packaging Materials and Storage Conditions over 10 Years

Abstract: Seed viability is affected by storage conditions and rapid loss of viability in storage is the major cause for low germination. This study was carried out to examine the effect of packaging materials and storage temperature on seed germination rate over 10 years in two species ( Capsicum annuum L. and Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis) and determine effective storage conditions for maintaining seed viability. Seeds were packaged in aluminum poly pouches under vacuum, polyethylene bottles, and paper bags containing silica gel and stored under one of two controlled conditions (15°C, RH 40% or 5°C, RH 30%) or at ambient condition. Seed germination was recorded at 6-month intervals for 10 years. The seeds of both species showed no decline in viability until 6.5 years at 15 or 5°C, irrespective of packaging materials. However, under ambient conditions, the seeds of ch ili pepper and Chinese cabbage in paper bags lost viability after 4 and 5 years, respectively. By contrast, seeds of both species in vacuum-aluminum poly pouches exhibited a 99% germination rate after 6 years under ambient conditions. Pepper seeds in the vacuum-aluminum poly pouches maintained a 93% germination rate after 10 years in ambient conditions. These results indicated that a special seed storage facility for maintaining viability of chili pepper and Chinese cabbage seed might not be essential and seed testing would not be necessary for 10 years, if chili pepper and Chinese cabbage seeds were packed in ambient/vacuum-aluminum poly pouches or 5°C/vacuum-aluminum poly pouches.Additional key words:

Leakage of inorganic compounds from artificially-aged radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis) seeds and use of phosphate leakage from single seed as a tool for assessing viability

Inorganic compounds, Ca, Mg, P, Na, K, B, Mo, Mn, Cu, Fe and Zn, in the seed leachate of artificiallyaged (AA) seeds from three cultivars of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis) seeds were measured and compared to those of non-aged (NA) seeds, and a technique to detect phosphate leakage from the leachate from single seeds was developed as a tool for assessing viability. K leached out in much greater quantities than other elements in both NA and AA seeds, followed by P, Na, Ca, Mg, and B in the AA seeds. The Mn and Cu were not detected in any cultivars, while Mo and Fe in Chinese cabbage seeds and Zn in radish seeds were only present in trace amounts of leachate from AA seeds. In general, K, P, Na, Ca, Mg, and B leakage occurred in large amounts from AA seeds relative to NA seeds, though there were different ratios of AA to NA seeds. Evaluation of the ratio of AA to NA seeds of inorganic compound leakage revealed that P was greatest, followed by Mg, K, Na and Ca. A spectrophotometric determination of phosphate from single seed leachate was developed using multi-plate reader. This technique is simple, fast, nondestructive and inexpensive, and applicable to many individual seeds at one time. The relationships between percent germination and absorbance (630 nm) of the single seed leachate with phosphate leakage from Chinese cabbage and radish seeds that had been artificially aged to give various viability levels appeared to have very high negative correlations. In conclusion, phosphate detection from single seed leakage could provide a valuable and practical tool for assessing seed viability.

Variety recognition of Chinese cabbage seeds by hyperspectral imaging combined with machine learning

The variety of Chinese cabbage seeds were recognized using hyperspectral imaging with 256 bands from 874 to 1,734 nm in the present paper. A total of 239 Chinese cabbage seed samples including 8 varieties were acquired by hyperspectral image system, 158 for calibration and the rest 81 for validation. A region of 15 pixel x 15 pixel was selected as region of interest (ROI) and the average spectral information of ROI was obtained as sample spectral information. Multiplicative scatter correction was selected as pretreatment method to reduce the noise of spectrum. The performance of four classification algorithms including Ada-boost algorithm, extreme learning machine (ELM), random forest (RF) and support vector machine (SVM) were examined in this study. In order to simplify the input variables, 10 effective wavelengths (EMS) including 1,002, 1,005, 1,015, 1,019, 1,022, 1,103, 1,106, 1,167, 1,237 and 1,409 nm were selected by analysis of variable load distribution in PLS model. The reflectance of effective wavelengths was taken as the input variables to build effective wavelengths based models. The results indicated that the classification accuracy of the four models based on full-spectral were over 90%, the optimal models were extreme learning machine and random forest, and the classification accuracy achieved 100%. The classification accuracy of effective wavelengths based models declined slightly but the input variables compressed greatly, the efficiency of data processing was improved, and the classification accuracy of EW-ELM model achieved 100%. ELM performed well both in full-spectral model and in effective wavelength based model in this study, it was proven to be a useful tool for spectral analysis. So rapid and nondestructive recognition of Chinese cabbage seeds by hyperspectral imaging combined with machine learning is feasible, and it provides a new method for on line batch variety recognition of Chinese cabbage seeds.

Erratum to: Predicting germination probability of radish (Raphanus sativus L.), Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis), and cabbage (B. oleracea var. capitata L.) seeds via amino acid leakage parameters

The predictability of the seed germination was investigated on radish (Raphanus sativus L.), Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis), and cabbage (B. oleracea var. capitata L.) using a logistic regression model with amino acid leakage parameters (color intensity and absorbance of seed leachate treated by the ninhydrin reagent) as predictors. Seeds of eight cultivars of naturally-aged and intact radish, seven cultivars of Chinese cabbage, and one cultivar of cabbage were used. The seeds were individually soaked in distilled water and treated with the ninhydrin reagent. A clearly distinct purple color was observed for the treated seed leachate, with intensities varying with the seed quality. Four separate fractions were identified based on their color intensity, colorless, weak, medium, and strong. Nine fractions from the radish seeds, and eleven fractions from the Chinese cabbage and cabbage seeds were identified based on absorbance value of the color. A germination test was conducted with seeds in each fraction identified. The probability of germination was calculated using a logistic regression model based on the color intensity or the absorbance of the seed leachate. For the prediction of germination based on the color intensity of the seed leachate, the percent correct of predicted germination varied from 72 to 99% and from 82 to 97% in the radish and the Chinese cabbage or cabbage cultivars respectively. Also, the percent correct of predicted germination based on the absorbance of the seed leachate varied from 66 to 100% and from 75 to 97% in the radish and the Chinese cabbage or cabbage cultivars, respectively. In conclusion, seed germination was predictable from both the color intensity and absorbance of the seed leachate. However, different cultivars showed differences between the predicted and actual ratio of germination. The Chinese cabbage or cabbage seeds were more applicable to the prediction model than radish seeds, as the relative error of the germination was slightly lower for the Chinese cabbage or cabbage seeds than the radish seeds.

Changes in Physicochemical, Nutritional and Hygienic Properties of Chinese Cabbage Seeds and Their Sprouts on Gamma and Electron Beam Irradiation

Seed sprouts are susceptible to microbial contaminations, which might cause foodborne illnesses. In this study, gamma- and electron beam (e-beam)-irradiated (0–3 kGy) Chinese cabbage seeds (Brassica rapa ssp. Pekinensis) and their sprouts were investigated for the physicochemical, functional and microbiological qualities during storage. The irradiated seeds and their sprouts showed better overall microbial quality compared with nonirradiated samples; however, their hygienic quality profiles were same during storage of sprouts. The contents of ascorbic acid, carotenoid, chlorophyll and total phenolics of the seeds increased during germination but negligible changes were found during postharvest storage. Gamma irradiation and e-beam had similar effects on the physicochemical quality of Chinese cabbage seed sprouts with few exceptions (low germination rate of e-beam-treated seeds). These effects should be considered to obtain acceptable hygienic, nutritional and sensory attributes of irradiated Chinese cabbage seeds. Practical Applications The sprouted seeds widely used for human consumption are the suspect carriers of bacterial pathogens, which can outbreak sprout-related foodborne illnesses. Irradiation treatment is a promising technology to increase shelf life of sprouts and reduce bacterial pathogen contamination with minimum concession of nutritional and sensory aspects. However, it is significant to establish the effect of applied irradiation dose on the seed germination, sprout length, quality parameters and overall acceptability.

A simple method to determine amino acid leakage and germination capabilities from single radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis) seeds

The viability of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis) seeds were evaluated using a seed leachate treated ninhydrin reagent that develops color from amino acid leakage. Three different cultivars of artificially aged radish and Chinese cabbage seeds were used for this purpose. The radish and Chinese cabbage seeds were individually soaked in distilled water and treated with the ninhydrin reagent. A clearly distinct purple color was observed for the treated seed leachate, with intensities that varied depending on the seed quality. Depending on the intensity, the color could be classified into four separate fractions: colorless, weak, medium or strong. Color absorbance values were classified into 9 fractions for radish seeds and 11 fractions for Chinese cabbage seeds. Subsequently, a germination test was performed with the seeds in any given fraction (classified by color intensity and absorbance) and correlations between germination and color intensity or absorbance were evaluated. In a test of three cultivars of artificially aged radish and Chinese cabbage seeds, the relationship between percent germinated and color intensity appeared to have a very high negative correlation in linear regression, with r2 = 0.97 for radish seeds and r2 = 0.95 for Chinese cabbage seeds. Similarly, the relationship between the percent germinated and the absorbance had a high negative correlation, with r2 = 0.90 for radish seeds and r2 = 0.94 for Chinese cabbage seeds. In conclusion, the simple detection of amino acid leakage with ninhydrin reagent was successful at assessing individual seed quality, as high correlations between germination and color intensity/absorbance were revealed.

A comparative study on intermittent heat pump drying process of Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L.ssp) seeds

The aim of this paper was to make a comparative simulation study on different intermittent heat pump dryings with respect to moisture diffusion, energy consumption and drying time on Chinese cabbage seeds. Various intermittent ratios in describing different intermittent drying characteristic were investigated. Experimental parameters for drying initial moisture content 30% (d.b.), temperature 40°C, relative humidity 40%, airflow velocity 1.0m/s, and drying time in a range from 0 to1200s in a cycle. On the basis of unsteady state drying dynamics model, drying rate was analyzed, parameters of control equation in seeds drying process was proved. Advantages of energy consumption and moisture diffusion uniformity were discussed by using simulation of moisture diffusion process in intermittent drying. Results indicated that model of equilibrium moisture content and drying environment could be expressed by Nellist equation as xc=0.41821−0.05448 ln(1−ϕ)−0.0692 ln T. The best intermittent ratio was 1/3 during intermittent drying process, which drying technology was continuous ventilation drying air 400s, then stop 800s in a cycle at 40°C. In this drying process, percent energy saving over continuous drying was 48.1%. So there was an obvious advantage of intermittent drying over continuous drying as regards energy efficiency.

CO2 Absorption by Using a low-cost Solvent: Biogas Slurry Produced by Anaerobic Digestion of Biomass

Due to the characteristics of low cost, abundance in nutrients used beneficially as a liquid fertilizer and weak alkalinity of the biogas slurry came from the anaerobic digestion of biomass, an investigation was performed in this study to assess the feasibility of CO2 absorption by using the biogas slurry and the application of CO2-rich biogas slurry into horticultural or agricultural use. Equilibrium CO2 loading of biogas slurry was adopted to assess the CO2 absorption performance and germination index (GI) of Chinese cabbage seeds in CO2-rich biogas slurry was selected to evaluate its phytotoxicity directly related to the application of biogas slurry. Raw biogas slurry can be used to absorb CO2 to reach the maximum CO2 loading with 0.13 molCO2/L. However, the highest equilibrium CO2 loading and lowest phytotoxicity of CO2-rich biogas slurry can not be obtained simultaneously at the same temperature, which means that a compromise on absorption temperature should be made. In addition, effect of additives like potassium glycinate (PG), monoethanolamine (MEA), potassium hydroxide (KOH) and aqueous ammonia (AA) on improvement of CO2 absorption and phytotoxicity of CO2-rich biogas slurry were also experimented. Results showed that organic additives can get the higher CO2 absorption loading but lower GI values compared to inorganic additives. In order to obtain lowest phytotoxicity of CO2-rich biogas slurry, concentration of additives should be limited, and inorganic additives can adopt the higher concentration than organic additives, implying that inorganic additives may probably be more suitable than organic additives to improve the comprehensive CO2 absorption performance of biogas slurry.

Influence of Pericarp, Cotyledon and Inhibitory Substances on Sharp Tooth Oak (Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata) Germination

In order to explore the mechanism of delayed and uneven germination in sharp tooth oak (Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata) (STO), mechanical scarification techniques were used to study STO root and shoot germination and growth. The techniques used were: removing cup scar (RS), removing the pericarp (RP), and cutting off 1/2 (HC) and 2/3 (TC) cotyledons. Germination percentage and root and shoot length for Chinese cabbage (Beassica pekinensis) seeds (CCS) were also investigated for CCS cultivated in a Sanyo growth cabinet watered by distilled water and 80% methanol extracts from the acorn embryo, cotyledon and pericarp with concentrations of 1.0 g, 0.8 g, 0.6 g and 0.4 g dry acorn weight per ml methanol. The results showed that the majority of roots and shoots from acorns with RP and HC treatment emerged two weeks earlier, more simultaneously, and their total emergences were more than 46% and 28% higher, respectively. TC accelerated root and shoot emergence time and root length, but root and shoot germination rate and shoot height had no significant difference from the control. Positive consequences were not observed on all indices of RS treatment. The germination rates of CCS watered by 1.0 g·ml−1 methanol extracts from the embryo and cotyledon were significantly lower than those from the pericarp, and all concentrations resulted in decreased growth of root and shoot. Methanol extracts from pericarp significantly reduced root length of CCS, but presented little response in germination percentage and shoot length. The inhibitory effect was gradually increased with the increasing concentration of the methanol extract. We conclude that both the mechanical restriction of the pericarp and the presence of germination inhibitors in the embryo, cotyledon and pericarp are the causes for delayed and asynchronous germination of STO acorns.