Effects of light conditions on seed germination of 27 roadside plants from the Nuozhadu Nature Protected Area

This study was conducted in the Nuozhadu Nature Protected Area to check the seed germination rate of 27 plant species under light and dark conditions. The plant samples were selected from roadside areas. The seed germination study was divided into four categories: seed germination rate, germination starting time, relative light germination rate, and relative light germination beginning time under different conditions (day, night, light 12 h, 12 h, and 24 h of darkness). The findings revealed that the seeds of 12 species have enhanced germination rates, while no effect was observed in the seeds of 15 other species under light conditions. The germination starting time of 9 species was significantly enhanced, while it was delayed in 2 species, and there was no effect on starting time observed for the remaining 16 species under light conditions. A correlation analysis proved that light had a greater influence on the total germination rate and might enhance the beginning of germination in small seeds. The dependence of the germination rate of shrubs and plants with buds on light was significantly reduced as seed size increased. However, light had no impact on the germination rate of seeds of herbs and plants with buds, pods, and berries. Similarly, light had no influence on the germination starting time of shrubs and plants with buds, berries, and pods, but only had an impact on the germination beginning time of small-seeded species of herbs. It was also observed that herbs and plants with buds, pods, and nuts had a substantial impact on average seed germination rates at maximum light requirements. Altogether, it can be concluded that seed size, plant growth, and fruit formation will be jointly affected by the response of seed germination to light.