Methods to improve seed germination of purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench).

摘要

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench) is a wild flower plant and has gainedeconomic importance both, as a medicinal and ornamental plant. However, because of variationin seed dormancy it often gives erratic germination leading to poor field stand, limiting itsproduction. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the performance of germinationenhancing treatments 1) mechanical scarification; 2) PEG-8000 priming; 3) ethylene (ethaphon);4) putrescine; and 5) a combination treatment of pre-chilling with ethephon and PEG-8000. Allseed lots tested showed wide variation in the level of dormancy. Ethephon significantly increasedearly germination of all seed lots tested. PEG 8000 at a water potential of -0.5 mPa andmechanical scarification significantly decreased days to germination and increased totalgermination of dormant seed lot. Putrescine at 0.25, 0.50 or 1.0 mM rates had no effect ongermination.