Effect of Storage Conditions and Scarification on in vitro Seed Germination in Lorathus tanakae Hosok

Loranthus tanakae (Franch. & Sav.) is an endangered species of mistletoe, distributed in Korean peninsula. The objective of our research is to determine the effect of storage duration and conditions [air flow (AF) and air tight (AT)] at different temperatures for survivability and germination of mistletoe seeds, and also to monitor the effect of seed scarification on germination in vitro. The result revealed that the seeds stored in natural conditions (no stratification) showed highest survival rate of 100% and retained up to 93.3% even after two months of storage in natural conditions and showed higher germination percentage (90%) compare to after ripened seeds. However, the seed stored at $0^{\circ}C$ decreased the germination percentage (ranged from 63 to 73%). Therefore, it can be confirmed that mistletoe does not need after ripened treatment to promote germination. Our research also showed that the storage of L. tanaka seeds in freezing temperatures of $-20^{\circ}C$ and in room temperature for long time either in AT or AF conditions caused the loss of survival and germination rate. On the other hand, the chemical scarification (0.01N HCl incubation for 12 hrs. at $38^{\circ}C$) method was proven more effective to enhance germination percentage of L. tanakae. Regarding the temperature regime, $22^{\circ}C$ showed early germination of mistletoe seeds in vitro.