• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.913-920
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• 2010

This study was conducted to improve the seed germination by low temperature and $GA_3$ in $Orostachys$ $japonicus$ A. Berger (Jirisan) and $O.$ $iwarenge$ (Mak.) Hara (Jejuyeonhwa), Korean native plants. Observation of the seeds using a stereo microscope showed that all seeds of the two species have wrinkled surface and oblong shape. Seed size ranged 0.77-1.00/0.25-0.37 mm (length/width), indicating that the seeds are minute seeds. When the seeds of two $Orostachsis$ species were sown into petri-dish and placed in a plant growth chamber of 10, 15, 20, or $25^{\circ}C$, 'Jirisan' showed seed germination below 20% at all temperatures and 'Jejuyeonhwa' 80% at only $10^{\circ}C$. Seed germination of 'Jirisan' increased up to 44% at $10^{\circ}C$ by low temperature ($4^{\circ}C$) storage for 10 days, but decreased again at storage for more than 20 days. The seeds of 'Jejuyeonhwa' showed a large increase in seed germination by low temperature for 20-30 days, which was 95% at $10^{\circ}C$, but low temperature for more than 40 days significantly decreased seed germination. Dipping treatment in GA3 solution of $50-400mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ for different periods (3, 6, 12, and 24 hrs) remarkably improved germination rate and speed in both species, 80-100% in 'Jirisan' and 90-100% in 'Jejuyeonhwa' at all concentrations and dipping times used in this study.