Elementary studies on intrinsic inhibitor that retards germinaton of seed of Astragalus membranaceus / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Object An attempt to seek after an intrinsic inhibitor present in the seed of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge.. Methods Crude ethereal extract of the seed was prepared and treated on paper chromatography. Inhibitory effects of different fractions with different Rf value were tested on Brassica chinensis L. and wheat germination. Effect of steeping the seed in warm water at 41 ℃ or 45 ℃ for different periods of time was also studied.Results Seed of A. membranaceus does contain strong intrinsic inhibitor. The portion of its ethereal extract with Rf 0.9 showed the most strong inhibition for the germination of Brassica, and the fraction with Rf 1.0 can inhibit the growth of the tender Brassica root, steeping with warm water can remove most of the intrinsic inhibitor, which also inhibits the growth of both aerial and underground parts of wheat sprouts, but without effect on its seed germination. It also showed strong inhibition of seed germination and growth of tender root of A. membranaceus. Conclusion Besides the low water permeability of the seed peel, the intrinsic inhibitor present in A. membranaceus is another essential factor that retard its germination.