• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.120-124
• /
• 2016

Background: Although cetrimonium bromide is widely used for its bactericidal effects, the safety of cetrimonium bromide remains controversial. Therefore, the phytotoxicity of cetrimonium bromide was tested to evaluate its acute toxicity to plants and possible toxicity to other organisms and the ecosystem. Results: The germination rates of two test species, Lactuca sativa and Brassica campestris, were significantly decreased after cetrimonium bromide treatment. Furthermore, cetrimonium bromide treatment at over 1 mg/L concentration significantly affected root elongation immediately after germination. In pot experiments with semi-mature plants, significantly decreased shoot elongation and chlorophyll content were detected in both species following cetrimonium bromide treatment. Cetrimonium bromide treatment also significantly increased the antioxidant enzyme activities of plants. Conclusion: Our results show that cetrimonium bromide is phytotoxic, and since phytotoxicity testing can imply potential toxicity in the environment, further studies of the environmental toxicity of cetrimonium bromide should be performed.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.402-409
• /
• 2017

We performed seed germination tests to investigate the effects of seed sowing orientation on germination viability on peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) sprouts. Specifically, we assessed the influence of seed sowing orientation on germination rate, seedling weight, and seedling length, as well as the seedling vigor index. The seeds were sown in oak tree sawdust at 3.0 cm depth. Four seed orientations were tested: vertical with the hypocotyl end down, vertical with the hypocotyl end up, horizontal with the hypocotyl end down, and horizontal with the hypocotyl end up. The mean seed germination percentages of the four seed orientations were significantly different (p < 0.01) and ranged from 25 to 91.7%. The vertical orientation with hypocotyl-end-down and hypocotyl-end-up orientations showed the highest (91.7%) and lowest (25%) germination rates, respectively. The vertical orientation with the hypocotyl end down produced the heaviest (4.9 g) seedlings and the longest hypocotyls (4.65 cm). This orientation also produced the longest true leaf + epycotyl (2.15 cm) and had the highest seedling vigor index (197.1). The seedlings had a straight growth pattern, whereas seedlings from seeds sown with the hypocotyl up had an awkward plumular hook shape. Taken together, to produce peanut sprouts, we recommend placing the seeds vertically with the hypocotyl end down because this orientation leads to a high germination rate, high biomass production, and high overall seedling quality.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.29-34
• /
• 2000

In order to obtain fundamental information for developing new salinity tolerance soybean cultivars, the germination rate was evalulated with a total of 28 soybean varieties. The germination rate of soybean cultivars was decreased as the NaCl concentration was higher and that by temperature difference was the lowest at 35$^{\circ}C$. the germination rate of 1.2% NaCl treatment of seed shape and size was the highest at 15$^{\circ}C$ but was the lowest at 35$^{\circ}C$ in small seed groups. The germination rates of Gumjungkong, Alchankong, Gumgangkong, Hayumkong, Hwasungpukong, Janmikong cultivars were higher when treated with 1.2% NaCl at 35$^{\circ}C$, but those of Dawonkong, Hannamkong, Kwangankong, Daebaekkong, Danwonkong, Sukwyangputkong, Keunolkong, Bokwangkong, Jangyoupkong cultivars were lower. The germination rate of soybean cultivars was significantly decreased by higher temperature and NaCl concentration.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.237-248
• /
• 1998

The soil pH favored by Korean wild plants is 5.33~7.20, while naturalized invader species prefer soils of pH 3.95~6.48. The germination rate of Zoysia japonica was inhibited sharply, up to 60%, in extracts of naturalized plants of concentrations over 50%. Erigeron canadensis extract most strongly inhibited germination, while the Korean wild species, Cassia mimosoides var. nomame increased germination rates in concentrations of 30% and 50%. The seedling growth of Zoysia japonica in extracts of Korean wild species and naturalized species did not show differences, but was inhibited strongly, up to 60%, in the extract of Cassia mimosoides var. nomame concentration of over 15%. Analysis of the extract from Cassia mimosoides var. nomame identified procatechuic acid, $\rho$-hydroquinone, $\rho$-coumaric acid and ferulic acid at 254nm; and vanillic acid, hydroquinone, benzoic acid and cinnamic acid were discovered at 284nm. The seed germination and seedling growth of Zoysia japonica were investigated under different concentrations of phenolic compounds. Ferulic acid and vanillic acid were associated with an increased germination rate, while $\rho$-coumaric acid appeared to inhibit seedling growth.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.21-26
• /
• 2016

Background : Acer pictum is a deciduous tree belonging to the family Aceraceae. This study was conducted to collect basic data on mass propagation techniques by surveying the germination and growth characteristics of A. pictum seeds. Methods and Results : A. pictum seeds were harvested in 2014 on August 19, September 5, September 29 and October 31. The seeds were then sown on the same dates they were harvested. A portion of seeds harvested in August 2014 were stored at low temperatures and subsequently sown on March 11, 2015. The germination rate of A. pictum seeds was highest in seeds that were stored harvested on October 31. Mean germination time (MGT) was shortest and germination velocity (Rs) was fastest in seeds harvested on October 31. Root collar diameter, total root length, and dry weight were also highest from seeds collected October 31. Conclusions : A. pictum seeds harvested on October 31 had highest germination and growth rates compared with seeds harvested on earlier dates. It is expected that these results demonstrating optimum harvesting and sowing dates will be applicable to future seedling production for this tree species.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.265-268
• /
• 2001

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of temperature, light, seed harvesting time, storage temperature, and period on its germination of Astragalus membranaceus. Optimum germination temperature was ${20{\sim}25^{\circ}C}$ and it was found to be light insensitive seed. The germination rates were not significantly different between 1-year and 2-year old plants, and seed harvesting times. Seeds stored at such cold temperatures as ${-4^{\circ}C\;and\;-20^{\circ}C}$ for 15 months showed over 80% in germination rate at the 6th day after placement. On the other hand, low germination rate of 60% at the 11th day was observed from the seeds stored at $4^{\circ}$ and room temperature.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.30 no.11
• /
• pp.957-965
• /
• 2021

This research was carried out to investigate seed germination and growth of the perennial plant Apocynum lancifolium under different NaCl concentrations, with a view for future cultivation on reclaimed land. Initial characterization revealed that the average length and weight of A. lancifolium seed pods was 133.6 mm and 0.23 g, respectively, and the thousand-grain weight was 0.59 g. Upon examining the effects of light on seed germination, we found germination to be 1.7% higher under light conditions (90%) than under dark conditions (88.3%). In terms of the response to salt stress, we found that 90% of seeds germinated in the 0.00%, 0.25%, and 0.50% salt treatment groups. Although salt treatment up to a concentration of 0.5% was found to have little effect on seed germination, the rate of germination decreased at higher concentrations and was completely inhibited in the 2% treatment. We also established that germination rates were higher in seeds sown in horticultural topsoil than in the coarse sandy soil found in the plant's natural habitats. Although the growth of A. lancifolium tends to decrease with an increase in salt concentration, we found that the stem thickness, fresh weight, and dry weight of A. lancifolium seedlings subjected to 0.25%-1.0% salt were comparable to those of the control seedling that were not exposed to salt. Furthermore, in contrast to those plants subjected to 2.0% salt, these plants continued to grow and remained viable.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.480-487
• /
• 2006

This study was conducted to improve the germination percent and germination speed by seed priming using polyethylene glycol (PEG) 8,000 solution on Acer mono seed because it has low and irregular germination characteristics. Seed priming was carried out under 0, -0.25, -0.5, -1.0 and -2.0 MPa of water potential at $20^{\circ}C$ for 3 days. Primed seeds showed higher percent germination, germination speed, mean germination time (MGT) and germination performance index (GPI) than unprimed seeds. Especially, primed seed with -2.0 MPa of water potential had the highest germination properties. And primed seeds had a lower dormancy than the unprimed seeds. Relative growth rate and T/R ratio of seedling from primed seeds were measured to survey the effect of seed priming on the seedling vigor as well as seed germination. The seedlings from primed seeds at -2.0 MPa of water potential showed the highest relative growth rates of height and root collar diameter, however, the lowest value in T/R ratio. This study suggested that seeds priming at -2.0 MPa of water potential under $20^{\circ}C$ for 3 days enhanced not only the percent germination, germination speed, MGT and GPI but also the vigor and growth of seedlings in Acer mono.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.28 no.11
• /
• pp.907-915
• /
• 2019

This study aims to identify the most tolerant species under salinity stress from amongst Asteraceae and Poaceae. The seeds of six species were exposed to different concentrations of $CaCl_2$ (0, 9, 18, 45, 90 mM) and NaCl (0, 17, 34, 85, 170 mM), and germination was measured once every two days. The results indicated that percent germination of the six species of Asteraceae and Poaceae seeds were affected differently by changes in salinity concentration. Seed germination was reduced as salinity levels increase, and longer mean germination times correlated to lower percent germination and earlier germination cessation. Both Asteraceae and Poaceae seeds had the highest germination rates at 18 mM $CaCl_2$ and 34 mM NaCl, and seed germination and growth were severely reduced at salinities greater than 90 mM $CaCl_2$ and 170 mM NaCl. In the seeds of Poaceae, salt resistance was strong in the order of Miscanthus sinensis Andersson, Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.) Spreng., and Phragmites communis Trin. In the seeds of Asteraceae, salt resistance was strong in the order of Dendranthema zawadskii var. latilobum (Maxim.) Kitam, Aster yomena (Kitam.) Honda, and Dendranthema boreale (Makino) Ling ex Kitam.. Overall, the germination rate was higher in Asteraceae than in Poaceae. This study demonstrated that Dendranthema zawadskii var. latilobum (Maxim.) Kitam. is the most tolerant species and that a relationship exists between the salt tolerance of percent germination and the mean germination time in the leaves.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
• /
• v.2 no.4
• /
• pp.229-234
• /
• 2021

Iris dichotoma Pall. found on Daechung Island in Korea has been designated as an endangered species. To aid in conservation efforts of this species, this study investigated its germination characteristics and seed dormancy type. Four sets of seeds were incubated at different temperatures (4/1℃, 15/6℃, 20/10℃, and 25/15℃). One set of seeds was cold stratified (4 weeks at 4/1℃). The final germination rate and mean germination time showed that the optimal germination temperature was 25/15℃. Final germination rates were ~70%, showing no significant difference among temperature treatments. However, mean germination time were significantly different among all temperature treatments except for 4/1℃. Mean germination time for seeds with temperature treatments of 15/6℃, 20/10℃, and 25/15℃ were 3.2, 2.1, and 1.5 weeks, respectively. At 25/15℃, the mean germination time was half of that at 15/6℃. Seeds of I. dichotoma had fully developed embryos at the time of dispersal. No additional growth of the embryo was observed. Cold stratification did not affect the final germination rate or the mean germination time. This study shows that seeds of I. dichotoma have no physiological or morphological dormancy, unlike other members of the Iris genus known to have seed dormancy that needs a relatively high incubation temperature (≥25/15℃) for mass propagation to occur. These results will be useful for understanding ecophysiological mechanisms related to the species' habitat. They are also useful for mass propagation of I. dichotoma for the purpose of conserving this endangered species.