Abstract:

This paper deals with the relationship between storage temperature and sprouting of the chestnut. The results showed that the dormancy state was strongly effected by storage temperature. When chestnut was stored at 0℃~2℃, the dormancy state was 3 months, that was 1 month longer than stored at room temperature(20℃~22℃). Dormancy was relieved in March when chestnut stored at the temperature of 0℃~2℃, the respiration and the contents of the phytohormones (IAA, GA₃, ZR) in embryonic bud were increased, the seeds began sprouting. The author tried regulating the storage temperature from 0℃~2℃ to-2℃~-4℃ at the end of February before the dormancy was relieved. It was appeared that the respiration and the hormones were not increased, the seeds remained in the dormant status and not sprouting. The chestnut and their embryo were not in jured, and had a normal vigor and quality after storing for 8 months.

Key words: Chestnut, Storage temperature, Dormancy, Sprout