Seed Dormancy Class and Germination Characteristics of Prunus spachiana (Lavallée ex Ed.Otto) Kitam. f. ascendens (Makino) Kitam Native to the Korean Peninsula

Abstract

Prunus spachiana (Lavallée ex Ed.Otto) Kitam. f. ascendens (Makino) Kitam leaves exert natural anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting nitric oxide formation. P. spachiana flowers bloom earlier than other Prunus spp. and thus could serve as a valuable resource for the horticulture and pharmaceutical industries. However, its seed dormancy class and germination traits remain uncharacterized. Thus, this study aimed to characterize the seed dormancy and germination of P. spachiana. Imbibition, phenological, and move-along experiments were performed, and the effects of H2SO4 treatment, hormone soaking, warm/cold stratification, and endocarp removal on germination were explored. Observation revealed that ripe seeds of P. spachiana contain developed embryos and are water permeable. Radicle and shoot emergence began in March and April, respectively, under natural conditions in the year following production. No seed germination was observed after 30 days of incubation at 4, 15/6, 20/10, or 25/15 °C under light/dark conditions, indicating the physiological dormancy of the seeds. Germination increased with prolonged stratification and was affected by incubation temperature. Seed scarification by H2SO4 and soaking with gibberellic acid (GA3) and fluridone were ineffective in breaking dormancy. However, GA3 soaking of the seeds after endocarp removal effectively induced germination (100%). These results indicate that P. spachiana seeds exhibit intermediate physiological dormancy.