Effects of gibberellic acid and ethephon on seed germination rate of mulberry hybrid combinations

[Objective]The present experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different concentration of gibberellic acid and ethephon on germination rate of mulberry seeds.[Method]The seeds of three mulberry diploid hybrid combinations,viz.,Guisangyou 12,Guisangyou 62,Sha 2×Lun 109 and one triploid hybrid combination Sangteyou 1 were treated with different concentrations of gibberellic acid and ethephon(50,100,200 and 500 mg/kg) for 12 and 24 h to determine the germination rate.[Result] With the increase of gibberellic acid and ethephon concentration,the germination rate of seeds from four mulberry hybrid combinations increased initially,followed by a decrease.Three concentrations of gibberellic acid and ethephon(50,100 and 200 mg/kg) increased the germination rate of three diploid mulberry varieties,while their 500 mg/kg concentration inhibited the germination of seeds.On comparing the duration of treatment,triploid hybrid seeds treated for 24 h with 50,100,200 and 500 mg/kg showed better germination compared to that of 12 h.[Conclusion]In conclusion,the mulberry seeds soaked in 200 mg/kg gibberellic acid or ethephon for 24 h resulted in best germination rates of hybrid mulberry seeds.