Studies on the method of rapidly breaking dormancy of Zoysia japonica seeds

In order to select the rapid methods for breaking dormancy of Zoysia japonica Steud. seeds, the seeds were treated by soaking in water and 30%NaOH solution. The results showed that at the end of germination period (8 d), the germination rate of seeds by soaking in water for 6 d or a 30%NaOH solution for 120 min are 14.70% and 28.00% respectively, but the germination rate of seeds by the composite method (soaking in 30%NaOH solution for 40 min after soaking in water for 2 d) reaches to 82.00%. Therefore, the composite method can effectively break dormancy and obviously shorten germination peroid of Z. japonica seeds.