Effect of Gibberellin Acid on Embryo Development and Germination of Dicentra spectabilis (L.) Lem. Seeds

This study was carried out to develop the seed propagation method of Dicenta spectabilis (L.) Lem. which is an ornamental plant native to Korea. In the previous studies, it was found that the seeds of D. spectabilis were morphophysiologically dormant (MPD), and high and low temperature of stratification were continuously required for the embryo growth and germination of the seeds. Especially, it was most effective to store for 1 month at $20^{\circ}C$ and then to transfer to $4^{\circ}C$. The treatment of $GA_3$ was carried out to promote embryo development and germination. The seeds were submerged in 100, 200 or $500mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ $GA_3$ for 72 hours and then stored at various conditions as follow. The temperature conditions disposed of this experiment were 1 month at 10, 15, 20, and $25^{\circ}C$ or 2, 4, 8, and 12 months at $4^{\circ}C$, respectively. As a result, the length of embryo and germination rate of the seeds were the best when stored at $4^{\circ}C$ for 8 months after $500mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ $GA_3$ treatment. Besides, when the seeds stored at $4^{\circ}C$, significant differences in embryo length and germination rate were shown with $GA_3$ concentration and storage period. It was also proved that high-concentration of $GA_3$ could replace the high temperature and could promote germination. Consequentially, the D. spectabilis seeds were classified into intermediate simple levels among MPD types.