Abstract:
To explore the effects of temperature, drought and their interaction stress on seed germination and seedling growth characteristics of Ficus plants, two seeds of Ficus tinctoria Corner. and Ficus racemosa L. were used as research materials. Setting PEG-4000 solution concentration as the control group(0), mild drought(5%), moderate drought(10%) and severe drought(20%, 25%) as the experimental group, the seed germination and seedling growth of two Ficus plants were measured and analyzed under low temperature stress at 20 ℃,25 ℃, 30 ℃ and 35 ℃. The results showed that low temperature significantly delayed the initial germination and germination peak time of the two Ficus plants. There were significant differences in seed germination and seedling growth between Ficus tinctoria Corner. and Ficus racemosa L. under different temperatures(p<0.05), while Ficus racemosa L. had higher germination rate, germination potential and germination index than Ficus tinctoria at 20 ℃ and 35 ℃(p<0.05), and the seed germination success rate of Ficus tinctoria Corner. and Ficus racemosa L. was the highest at 30 ℃. The seedlings of both Ficus plants were sensitive to drought stress. The radicle growth of Ficus tinctoria Corner. seedlings was faster, while the Ficus racemosa L. seedlings showed higher germ growth capacity. The results of response surface curve simulation and ANOVA analysis of seed germination of two Ficus plants showed that temperature and humidity stress had significant interaction on Ficus tinctoria Corner. seeds than that on Ficus racemosa L.. In conclusion, the two Ficus plants may have different adaptability to ecological environment due to their growing in different natural habitats. The temperature and humidity changes in tropical rain forest caused by climate change could have a great impact on seed germination and seedling growth of Ficus plants.