Indigofera kirilowii Maxim. ex Palibin Seed Biological Characteristics and the Influence of Different Treatments on the Seed Germination

Indigofera kirilowii Maxim. ex Palibin is an excellent ornamental plant.To understand the seed traits and germination characteristics, the effects of different storage conditions, temperature, light, salinity, drought degree, pH factors on seed germination were studied.The results showed that there were some differences in fruit and seed morphology among the three sites.The seeds collected from HSD had the best characters, with length, width and 1 000-grain weight of 4.87 mm, 3.63 mm and 36.03 g, respectively.There was no significant difference in germination indexes between frozen seeds stored for 8 years and seeds harvested in the same year, while the vigor of seeds stored at room temperature for 5 years was significantly reduced. Light had no significant effect on seed germination rate. The seed germination temperature range was wide and the optimum germination temperature was 25 ℃, and the germination rate was 84%. Under low concentration drought stress and low concentration salt stress, I. kirilowii seeds could germinate, and the seedling growth was promoted to a certain extent. Seeds and seedlings had a wide range of acid and alkali tolerance. Compared with seeds, seedlings had a stronger ability to withstand alkaline stress. It cauld be seen that the seeds of I. kirilowii were light insensitive seeds, frozen storage could obviously prolong the life of the seed. I. kirilowii seeds and seedlings could wider environmental suitable scope, and had a certain resistance to salt, acid and alkali resistance and drought tolerance.