• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.352-357
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• 2011

Rose seed shows low germination percentages (about 20%) because it has a high amount of substances that inhibit germination in the pericarp. We investigated the effect of orientation of achene, the day after pollination (DAP), and cold storage with or without half-cut in achene for the germination percentage in R. rugosa. Germination percentages of intact or half-cut achenes were investigated in a 16-hour photoperiod at $25^{\circ}C$ room on basal MS medium for two weeks. In germination percentage, maximum 100% was measured within one week when half-cut achenes were cultured on an orientation that the embryos facing to the light. Half-cut achenes at 90 DAP were germinated 100% regardless of cold storage. Various LED lights (red, blue, yellow, green, and white) were illuminated over the half-cut achenes to gain the effect of light color. Germination percentage of R. rugosa seeds under blue LED reached the greatest with 90% within one week of culture and these seedlings were the best with a steady growth rate. It is concluded that half-cut achenes would be an effective method to improve seed germination in R. rugosa without stratification or scarification. This system could be applied to breeding studies in rose cultivars.