Methods to promote seed germination in the lacquer tree, Toxicodendron vernicifluum (Stokes) F.A. Barkley.

ABSTRACT: The lacquer tree, Toxicodendron vernicifluum, is a common industrial crop in East Asia. However, T. vernicifluum seeds are extremely difficult to germinate, which poses a major obstacle to establishing seedlings for sap production. In this study, we examined the germination properties of T. vernicifluum seeds in order to establish an inexpensive and effective method to promote seed germination. The seeds are covered with a hard endocarp, which we degrade using conventional sulfuric acid-based methods. Although sulfuric acid was effective in promoting seed germination, the germination rate was less than 5%. In addition to treatment with sulfuric acid, co-treatment with cold temperatures or the phytohormone gibberellic acid increased the germination rate to 22-35%. Seed viability analysis co

SUBMITTER: Nemoto K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9371279 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature