Biological seed characteristics of Camellia chekiangoleosa

Key words: 
• botany /
• Camellia chekiangoleosa /
• seed germination /
• biological characteristics

Abstract: Fresh Camellia chekiangoleosa seeds, having a habit of dormancy, were harvested as test material. Seed morphological characteristics and germination characteristics were analyzed by measuring morphological characteristics, 1 000-grain weight, water content, water absorption properties, and seed viability. The influence of seed soaking temperatures on seed germination was also determined. Three treatments including untreated, shelled, and etched, were employed to study water absorption properties, and the 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride （TTC） method was used to test seed viability. Seed germination was tested in a 24 h period with six seed soaking temperatures from 25-65 ℃, control group was tested in a 24 h period with 20 ℃ seed soaking temperatures, and each group maintaied the same temperature for 6 hours. Results showed that the water absorption ability of shelled seeds was better than untreated and etched seeds. The 1 000-grain weight was 1 177 g, water content was 41.3%, and seed viability was 85.0%. Morphological characteristics identified included seeds having a dark brown skin with hard cutin. The seed consisted of an exopleura, an endotesta, and an embryo with the embryo having a germ, hypocotyls, a radicle, and cotyledons that were fat. Seed average length was 18.6 mm, average width was 15.8 mm, and average thickness was 11.7 mm. The test for germination characteristics showed that soaking seeds 24 h in 25 ℃ water was beneficial with a seed germination rate of 73.0%, which was higher than the control group. ［Ch, 3 fig. 2 tab. 14 ref.］