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Abstract
To improve seed germination of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb) Hook), IAA and GA3 treatments were applied. The most significant promotion by IAA and GA3 occurred at the concentration of 10−4 M and 10−5 M, respectively. 10−4 M IAA treatment increased germination rate, germination index, seedling length, seedling weight by 41%, 47%, 30%, 28% compared to the control, and 12%, 23%, 15%, 11% compared to target moist chilling. Seed vigor and endogenous hormone levels were analyzed to elucidate the physiological mechanisms. Electrical conductivity test showed that electrolyte leakage rate of the control seeds was 10.4 µS.cm−2.g−1 while it was decreased to 5.6 µS.cm−2.g−1 after 10−4 M IAA soaking. Furthermore, oxygen sensing test showed that 10−4 M IAA treatment increased oxygen metabolism rate (OMR) by 17% and it reduced increased metabolism time (IMT) by 31%, critical oxygen pressure (COP) by 62%, relative germination time (RGT) by 36%, suggesting that IAA promoted seed respiration. In addition, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis showed that IAA soaking reduced endogenous IAA levels by 32% while it increased endogenous GA1 contents by 347%, suggesting that feedback inhibition of IAA biosynthesis and promotion of GA1 biosynthesis might be involved in seed vigor and germination improvement.
Acknowledgments
This study was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (30800890) and Public Welfare Agricultural Project of Zhejiang Province (2010C32011). We also give our thanks to Professor Zhu Zhujun, Zhejiang Agriculture & Forestry University and Johan van Asbrouck, Freek Schreurs, Shi Huixin, the Netherlands ASTEC Global Seed Technology Corporation for the support of oxygen sensing technology.