ABSTRACT
Objective To optimize the soaking treatment method for increasing the germination of Amomum villosum Lour.(AVL) seeds.Methods Nine groups were set up: the control group(without soaking treatment),treatment group 1(soaking AVL seeds with naphthylacetic acid 15 mg/mL for 8 hours),treatment group 2(soaking with gibberellin 100 mg/L for 30 hours) and treatment groups 3~8(soaking with clean water for 8,20,30,40,45 and 50 hours respectively).The sowing amount was 100 grains in each group for each time,and the seeds were planted in the outdoor pot at a planting space of 4cm?4cm.Results Naphthylacetic acid had an obvious inhibition on the germination of AVL seeds and delayed the shooting.Gibberellin promoted the germination and shooting of the seeds.Soaking with clean water for 8 hours had no obvious effect on the seed germination,but soaking for 20~50 hours increased the seed germination to various degrees,in particular soaking for 30~50 hours.Conclusion Soaking with gibberellin or clean water can increase the germination of AVL seeds.This method is simple and practical and economic,and is worth of extensively applying in the sowing and breeding of AVL seeds.