Effect of Seed Coat Softening, Washing and Drying on Seed Germination of Gourd

The present experiment was carried out to determine the effect of seed-coat softening by various chemicals, washing, chilling, and light treatment alone and in combination during desiccation of seeds on germination of gourd (Lagenaria siceraria Standl.) seeds. Potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, acetone, acetonitrile, and acetamide were used as chemicals for the softening. Washing, prechilling, drying and light treatment of the softened seeds were done for a hour with tap water, for one or three weeks at 3$^{\circ}C$, 12 hr at 35$^{\circ}C$, and 14 hr a day at 3$0^{\circ}C$ with red light illumination or darkness, respectively. FR-yongjadaemok and FR-kunghap were used as test cultivars. Seed-coat softening with 10% acetone and acetonitrile for 1 hour enhanced and accelerated seed germination compared to the other chemicals and water imbibition. KOH treated for the softening was necessary to increase the germination rate of seeds for following chilling, but acetone did not influence their germinability regardless of chilling. Washing the softened seeds in tap water increased the germination rate in comparison with no-washing. During desiccation of the seeds sequentially treated with the softening, washing and chilling, red light treatment showed higher germination rate than dark one, suggesting that red light treatment are necessary during desiccation.

종피의 연화처리, 세척 및 건조가 박 종자의 발아에 미치는 영향

본 연구는 파종전 종자처리에 의해 박 종자의 발아율을 최대한 향상시킬 수 있는 방법을 강구하고자 종피연화, 세척, 저온 및 건조 중 적색광 처리가 발아에 미치는 영향을 조사하였으며 그 결과를 요약하면 다음과 같다. 1) 종피연화는 염기성인 KOH 또는 NaOH로 처리하는 것보다 산성인 acetone과 acetonitrile 10% 용액에 1시간 처리하였을 때 발아율이 증가되고 발아가 촉진되는 것으로 나타났다. 2) Acetone으로 종피연화 시킨 종자는 이후에 행하여지는 저온처리의 영향을 적게 받는 반면, KOH로 종피연화 시킨 종자는 저온처리가 행해지지 않을 경우 발아가 현저히 억제되었다. 3) 종피연화 후 흐르는 수돗물로 1시간 세척시킨 종자의 발아율은 세척하지 않은 것보다 높았다. 4) 종피연화, 세척 및 저온처리를 경과가 이루어진 종자는 건조과정에서 암처리보다는 적색광을 처리하였을 경우 발아율이 높았다.