Abstract:

Over the last three decades, decline of oak (Quercus acutissima) natural regeneration has drawn wide attention. Exploration of the causes and development of the seedling technology, which promotes quick and uniform germination of oak seeds, arise interesting of forest researchers. In this paper, the seed cold storage and mechanical damage treatments were studied on germination of Q. acutissima. Methanol extracts of embryo, cotyledon and pericarp of oak seeds were used to investigate existence of inhibitory substance by testing germination of Brassica campestris seeds that were cultivated in Sanyo growth cabinet. The results showed that: (1) removing scar, pericarp, or cutting off a small piece of basal cotyledon increased the rooting rate and percentage, however, cutting off more than 1/2 cotyledon had negative effects; (2) the seed cold storage accelerated the germination; (3) Germination rates of B. campestris seeds treated by methanol extracts from embryo of Q. acutissima seeds were significantly lower than control, and inhibitors from embryo, cotyledon and pericarp played a negative role in growth of root and shoot of B. campestris seedlings, indicating that the inhibitors of oak seeds might mainly restrict growth of root and shoot themselves, and be responsible for germinating irregularly. The results have guiding significance for directly seeding afforestation and seedling of Q. acutissima.

Key words: mechanical damage, cold storage, inhibitors, seed, Quercus acutissima