The methods to breaking seed dormancy of Stipa glareosa

In order to effectively break the Stipa glareosa seed dormancy, different seed treatment methods were employed and their effects on seed germination were measured. The results showed that the seed water absorption percentage, germination percentage, and germination potential were 26.32%, 38%, and 32%, respectively, if soaking seed in 60 ℃ distilled water for 24 h to break the seed coat dormancy. Seed germination percentage was 34% if mechanical pierced the seed coat. Germination percentage and germination potential were 48% and 46%, respectively, if seed kept in -20 and -20 ℃ cryogenic alterating temperature for 96 h to break the embryo physiological dormancy. Seed germination percentage and germination potential were 58% and 54%, respectively, if removing threequarters of endosperm. And seed germination percentage and germination potential were 54% and 48%, respectively, if soaking seed in 80 mgL-1 GA3 solution for 24 h. The germination percentage and germination potential were 78% and 76%, respectively, if combined the above treatments with alternating temperature + soaking + GA3. The effects of germination inhibitors in seeds on germination percentage of S. glareosa were greater than that of impermeable coat of seed. The germination peaked time was in first 2~5 d, as well as in first 2~8 d by removal of the endosperm and GA3 solution soaking seeds.