Abstract:

To improve the reproduction efficiency of Gaultheria procumbens, the collected seeds of cultivar ‘Speedy Baron’ were used as test materials to measure seed morphology, thousand kernel weight, and water absorption characteristics. The germination rate of seeds under different GA₃ treatments and temperature treatments were calculated by the Petri dish filter paper germination method. Finally, the growth of seedlings obtained from sterile germination was compared with that of conventional seedlings. The results showed that the seeds of G. procumbens ‘Speedy Baron’ were small seeds [thousand kernel weight (0.2995±0.0111) g], with thin seed coats and good water permeability. There were interactions among GA₃ seed soaking time, GA₃ seed soaking concentration and temperature, among which GA₃ concentration and temperature were the key factors affecting seed germination. The seeds were soaked in GA₃ solution with a concentration of 1000 mg/L for 12-24 h, and the ambient temperature was 25℃ during the day and 15℃ at night, which was conducive to promoting seed germination, and the seed germination rate could reach more than 90%, significantly higher than that of the control (64.67%). The growth of tissue cultured seedlings was better than that of conventional seedlings. The average plant height (12.17 mm) and average root length (18.15 mm) of sterile germination of 1500 mg/L GA₃ pretreated seedlings were higher than those of conventional seedlings (plant height of 9.65 mm and average root length of 13.31 mm). The medium formula was WPM+2.0 mg/L 6-BA+0.1 mg/L NAA+30 g/L sucrose.

Key words: Gaultheria procumbens, seed germination, seed characteristics, GA₃, sterile germination