Edible Sprout Production from Ainsliaea acerifolia Seeds

This study was carried out to investigate the morphological characteristics of the plants and seeds of Ainsliaea acerifolia and to determine the optimum condition for producing sprouts from the seeds. Plant height, flower stalk length, and pod number were higher in natural habitat than in campus farm. Average 1.2 seeds per pod was set but only 0 to 2 seeds per plant was set in plants with the enveloped flower stalks, indicating that this is an outcrossing species. Most of seeds were 9-11mm long and 1.1-1.4mm wide. Fresh weight of seeds was ranged from 10mg to 17mg. Seeds germinated well at 15$^{\circ}C$ and 2$0^{\circ}C$. Mean germination period was 11.5 day at 15 to $25^{\circ}C$. Sprouts grown at 15$^{\circ}C$ was longest(5.4cm) and heaviest(738mg/10 sprouts). Chlorophyll content was 333mg per fresh weight 110g. Protein, Fe, vitamin Bl, vitamin B2, and vitamin C were respectively 23.7mg, 6.4mg, 1.82mg, 0.49mg, and 10..7mg.