Germination , Desiccation and Storage of Ardisia virens var . annamensis Seeds

Ardisia virens var. annamensis is a famous ornamental species. Due to deforestation and destructive overexploitation, its natural population size has been greatly reduced in recent years. To provide information for its basic genetic conservation and expanding its population by artificial breeding, the germination, desiccation-tolerance and storage lifespan of the seed were studied. The field investigation found in the natural environment the plant had low seed yield. The indoor seed storage and germination experiment showed that the germination temperature ranged from 4°C to 30°C, and the seeds could germinate in full light and in the dark. At temperatures above 20°C, light had no significant effect on germination, but at temperatures between 10-15°C, light significantly promoted germination. The mature seeds had relatively moisture content and weak desiccation-tolerance, so their storage behaviour should be classified as recalcitrant. The seeds remained viable longer in moist storage than in dry storage. These responses of seed germination to light, temperature and desiccation indicate that this shrub have relatively strong adaptability to the natural tropical and subtropical moist environments in South China, the change environment caused by forest fragmentation may be one of important reasons for decreasing of the population.