Ecological Characteristics of Germination of Plukenetia volubilis Seeds

Abstract:

The characteristics of mature seeds and the effect factors of temperature, light and moisture content on seed germination of Plukenetia volubilis were studied. The results showed that the germination of P. volubilis seeds was extremely sensitive to temperature with very low germinate rate at 15℃, while all seeds could germinate within two weeks under 25℃-35℃. The temperature fluctuation (25℃/15℃) did not increase markedly seed germination rate. The illumination was not necessary condition to seed germination, but light decreased seed germination rate under temperature fluctuation (25℃/15℃). All of seeds could germinate at normal temperature (30℃) even with extremely low relative water content (1.55%) and treated with liquid nitrogen for 24 hours. P. volubilis seeds could germinate well with suitable moisture content at 25℃-35℃, it was reason that P. volubilis seedlings had good restoration under provenance of tropical rain forest. So P. volubilis was suitable for seed breeding.

Key words:Plukenetia volubilis L.;Seed;Germination;Temperature;Light;Moisture content