Primary Study of Release Method for Legume Seed Dormancy

Present study explored the optimal method to release seed dormancy of nine legume species,and the results showed that sulfuric acid treatment was the most effective method to release seed dormancy,but the optimal treatment time varied with species,longer treatment time may increase dead seed percentage.Referred to hot water treatment,80℃ was the optimal temperature for dormancy release,and 60℃ showed less effect,while 95℃ leaded most seeds to death.In addition,a longer hot water treat time significantly increased dead seed percentage except seed under 60℃.The effects of liquid nitrogen treatment were closely correlated with seed size,e.g.liquid nitrogen effectively released dormancy of small size seed such as Medicago sativa,but showed no effects on dormancy release of middle size seed such as Sesbania sesban,and harm some large size seed such as Sophora alopecuroides.In addition to that,the time dipped into liquid nitrogen showed no effects on dormancy breaking.