Effects of Gibberellic Acid and Alternating Temperature on Breaking Seed Dormancy of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer

Background: Developing new ginseng cultivars is a significant time-consuming process owing to the three years of growth required for ginseng to flower. To shorten the ginseng breeding process, it is necessary to establish rapid progression through each generation. In this study, we examined it was possible to rapidly break ginseng seed dormancy using gibberellic acid ($GA_3$) treatment and alternating temperature. Methods and Results: Seeds were obtained from local variety. Seeds were treated with either $GA_3$ at a concentration of $100mg/{\ell} $, constant temperature ($-2^{\circ}C$ and $2^{\circ}C$), alternating temperature ($2^{\circ}C$ followed by $-2^{\circ}C$, followed by $2^{\circ}C$) or a combination $GA_3$ and temperature treatment. Following experimental treatment, seeds were sown into trays and placed in a greenhouse. Low germination rates were observed in seeds that did not receive $GA_3$ treatment, which were similar following $2^{\circ}C$ and $-2^{\circ}C$ constant temperature treatment. Germination rates increased in proportion to $GA_3$ and more so when combined with alternating temperature treatment. In additon, stem and leaf lengths of the resulting ginseng plants were increased following $GA_3$ treatment, although no synergistic effect was observed with alternating temperature treatment. Conclusions: These results suggest that a combination $GA_3$ and alternating temperature treatment enhances ginseng seed germination, which can contribute to shortening the time required to progress through a single ginseng generation for breeding.

개갑된 인삼종자 휴면 조기타파에 미치는 GA3 및 변온처리 효과