Influence factors for obtaining aseptic seedlings of early spring ephemeral Lachnoloma lehmannii in tissue culture

In order to establish a system of aseptic seedling of Lachnoloma lehmannii in tissue culture, using seeds as material, different disinfection methods of seeds were compared. The influence factors of seed germination and seedling growth were investigated. The results indicated that 1) a suitable method for seed sterilization was that seeds were washed under running tap water for 1-2 min, soaked in 70% ethanol for 1 min and disinfected with 0.1% HgCl2 solution for 1.5 min. 2) Illumination was beneficial for seed germination, but different parts of seedlings had different responses to the lights. 3) Seed germination depend on a low temperature, while seedling growth required a certain high temperature. 4) Some hormones promote the seed germination, but different parts of seedlings had different reaction to the hormones. Therefore, the suitable culture system for seed germination and seedling growth of L. lehmannii was that seeds were placed in MS medium without growth regulators after seed sterilization, and cultured under lights at temperature of 15 ℃/5 ℃ for 4-5 d. Plates with germinated seeds were then transferred to a place with same illumination and temperature of 25 ℃ for seedling growth. The seed germination rate increased from 16% (control) to 90% and the seedlings grew well.