Study on methods for breaking seed dormancy in Luffa aegyptiaca

doi:10.16178/j.issn.0528-9017.20250822

Abstract

Abstract:

Newly harvested Luffa aegyptiaca seeds exhibit varying degrees of dormancy，which can lead to low germination rates and poor uniformity during agricultural production. In this study，newly harvested seeds of Zhesi 203 and Zhesi 302 were used as experimental materials. Treatments included artificial shell-breaking followed by soaking in water，gibberellin，pectinase，or a combination of pectinase and gibberellin. The germination potential and germination rate of seeds under different treatments were measured to elucidate their effects on seed germination. The results indicated that，compared with untreated seeds，after artificial shell-breaking，the germination potential and germination rate of Zhesi 302 seeds were significantly（p<0.05）improved，and the germination potential of Zhesi 203 seeds was significantly increased. Through analysis of different soaking conditions，it was found that the combination of artificial shell-breaking and 300 mg·L^-1 gibberellin soaking had the best effect on improving the germination potential and germination rate of Zhesi 203 and Zhesi 302 seeds. In conclusion，the combination of artificial shell-breaking and gibberellin soaking could effectively break seed dormancy，improve the germination potential and germination rate of Luffa aegyptiaca seeds，substantially shorten the seedling-raising period，and provide technical support for the intensive seedling production of Luffa aegyptiaca.

Key words: Luffa aegyptiaca, seed dormancy, seed soaking, artificial shell-breaking, germination

CLC Number:

S642.4

GAO Luyao, DONG Wenqi, ZHOU Shengjun, WANG Xin, ZHU Yuqiang, ZHANG Peng, SUN Yuyan. Study on methods for breaking seed dormancy in Luffa aegyptiaca[J]. Journal of Zhejiang Agricultural Sciences, 2026, 67(2): 418-423.

Figures/Tables 4

Fig. 1 Effect of artificial shell-breaking on seed germination of Zhesi 203 and Zhesi 302

Fig. 2 Effect of gibberellin soaking on seed germination of Zhesi 203 and Zhesi 302

Fig. 3 Effect of pectinase treatment on seed germination of Zhesi 203 and Zhesi 302

Fig. 4 Effect of combined soaking of pectinase and gibberellin on seed germination of Zhesi 203 and Zhesi 302

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