Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the germination characteristics of seeds of Scolopia
oldhamii Hance. Effects of the seed moisture content (MC) and storage temperature on germination
were investigated to determine its seed storage behavior. Scolopia oldhamii seeds completely
germinated within 4 wk at fluctuating temperatures of 30/20℃ with 8 h of light, and this result
showed that S. oldhamii seeds were non-dormant. In addition, germination mainly took place during
7~14 d. Stratification at 4℃ was not efficient in improving germination of S. oldhamii seeds,
but only decreased the mean germination time (MGT) to about 8 d. In fact, such a reduction in the
MGT is not practical in the nursery. Moreover, seed viability sharply deteriorated with 4℃ moist
storage for more than 6 mo. Thus, low-temperature moist storage is not suitable for temporarily
storing S. oldhamii seeds. Scolopia oldhamii seeds which could be dried to 2.0~7.6% MCs (on
a fresh-weight basis) still maintained viability after storage at 4 and -20℃ for 24 mo. This result
showed that S. oldhamii seeds are orthodox; that is, long-term storage can be applied to this species
for future seed demands. We suggest that S. oldhamii seeds be dehydrated to 3~7% MCs and then
hermetically sealed for storage at -20℃ when a long-term ex situ conservation strategy is adopted.