Study on physiological and germination characteristics of Tulipa edulis seed / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Current study was conducted to investigate the seed physiological characteristics of Tulipa edulis and improve germination rate.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Anatomical characteristics was observed. Seed water absorption curve was tested by soaking method. Dynamic of embryo development and germination rate as well as germination index under different conditions were recorded. And the biological test of cabbage seed was used for detecting the germination inhibitors.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The embryo rate of newly matured seeds was about 10%, and there was no obstacle of water absorption on testa of T. edulis. The optimum method for embryo development was exposure to 300 mg x L(-1) gibberellin solution for 24 hours, and stratification at 25 degrees C for 70 days followed by stratification at 5 degrees C for 40 days. The germintion rate and germination index of dormancy-broken seeds under the dark environment at 10 degrees C and 15 degrees C were significantly higher than those under other conditions. Additionally, there were some germination inhibitory substances in dry seeds.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The seed of T. edulis can be classified as having complex morphophysiological dormancy, and the morphological embryo dormancy played a leading role. Warm and cold stratification resulted in a fast dormancy breaking effect, and a high germination rate more than 90% could be obtained under the optimum conditions.</p>

Effects of light intensity on growth and photosynthetic characteristics of Tulipa edulis / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Present study was conducted to explore the growth and photosynthetic characteristics of Tulipa edulis under different light conditions (23%, 45%, 63%, 78%, 100% of full sunlight) and to determine the optimum light intensity for growth of T. edulis.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The leaf area and biomass indicators as well as reproductive characteristics were measured. The photosynthetic basic parameters and light response curve were determined by a LI-6400XT portable photosynthesis system, and the light response curve characteristic parameters was determined. Additionally, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were determined by assorted fluorescence leaf chamber of LI-6400XT.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The lowest biomass yield was observed in the 23% and 100% of full sunlight treatments while the highest value was found under the 78% of full sunlight conditions. With the reduction of light availability, the success rate of sexual reproduction, light saturation point (LSP) and light compensation point (LCP) reduced, while apparent quantum yield (AQY) increased. 23% and 45% of full sunlight treatments led to lower photosynthesis rate (Pn) and higher apparent quantum yield (AQY) in comparison with other treatents. The highest photosynthesis rate was observed in the 78% and 100% of full sunlight treatments. In addition, 78% of full sunlight treatments led to highest Fv/Fm, Fv'/Fm', PhiPS II, ETR, and qP.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>T. edulis was able to adapt in a wide range of light intensity, and 78% of full sunlinght was the most suitable light condition for growth of T. edulis.</p>

Preliminary study on pollination biology of Tulipa edulis / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Current study on the pollination biology of Tulipa edulis was conducted to investigate its pollination characteristics and to provide references for artificial domestication and breeding of T. edulis.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Flowering dynamics, pollinators, morphology and structure of flower were observed. Different methods were adopted to evaluate the pollen vitality, and benzidine-H2O2 method was used for estimation of the stigma receptivity. Breeding system was evaluated based on out-crossing index (OCI) , pollen-ovule ratio (P/O) and the results of emasculation, bagging and artificial pollination studies.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The flower of T. edulis showed typical characteristics of Liliaceae. The pollen remained viable to some extent during all the anthesis and peaked within three days after blossoming. Stigma acceptability peaked in the first day of blossom and dwindled away in the next four days. The type of breeding system of T. edulis was facultative xenogamy, three species of Halictus are the main pollination insects.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The type of breeding system of T. edulis was facultative xenogamy, withal cross-pollination give priority to self-pollination, and the insects play a main role on the pollination of T. edulis, further validation are needed to judge if the wind is helpful to pollination.</p>

Seed quality test methods of Oldenlandia diffusa / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To optimize the testing methods for seed quality, and provide basis for establishing seed testing rules and seed quality standard of Oldenlandia diffusa.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>According to the related seed testing regulations, the seed quality of O. diffusa from different producing areas was measured.</p><p><b>RESULT AND CONCLUSION</b>The testing methods for seed of O. diffusa was established, including sampling, purity analysis, weight per 1 000 seeds, seed moisture content, seed viability and percentage germination.</p>

Quality classification criteria of Oldenlandia diffusa seeds / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish the quality classification criteria of Oldenlandia diffusa seeds.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Thirty batches of O. diffusa seeds from different provenances with different collecting time were selected. And the seed germination percentage, seed purity, weight per 1 000 grains, moisture content and seed viability were determined and analyzed through SPSS 11.0 software.</p><p><b>RESULT AND CONCLUSION</b>Seed germination percentage was selected as the main index for classification, while seed purity, weight per 1 000 grains and moisture content could be used as references. The quality classification criteria of O. diffusa seeds have been initially established.</p>