Plant Diversity ›› 1989, Vol. 11 ›› Issue (02): 1-3.

• Articles •    

THE PROPAGATION OF LORANTHACEAE FROM XISHUANGBANNA

Xiao Laiyun, Pu Zhenghe   

  1. Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Academia Sinica, Mengia Yunnan
  • Online:1989-04-25 Published:1989-04-25

Abstract: Seeds of parasites of Loranthaceae have no dormant period. They can germinate within fruit, but their germinating vigour are affected greatly. The effect varies with time length and species of the parasites. Pulp has some impact on its seed germination. Gemination rate as well as cotyledons and leaves appearing rate of seeds without pulp are higher than those of seeds with pulp. Germination and cotyledons appearing rate of seed in the dark is lower than those of seeds illuminated, and seedlings of the former are yellowing, spindling, and not well. Seeds reguire high temperatures to germinate. It takes 2-8 days to begin germinating and germination rate is 93.6 at room temperature (18-32 °C).While at lower temperatures ( 4 - 5 °C), 10-31 days are needed to start germinating, and germination rate only 78 . And the seeds of one or two species even can not germinate. Lower temperatures produce great impact on the vigour of germinating seeds. When moved from lower temperature to room temperature, most of seeds are died in a short time, Under suitable condition of temperature, humidity and light, seeds of the parasites can germinate on every kind of living or dead bodies or substances without any man-made substratum. Their total average rate of germination is as high as 87.3, and hostoroa, cotyledons and leaves can be formed. It is short from sowing to germinaring. To most of seeds, it is within one week. These features are closely related with the plump endosperm, abundant nouri-shment stored in seed. Glutinous substances covering seeds, which prohibits water loss, green seeds undertaking photosynthesis while germinating, seeds without dormant period and mature embryo germinating within a short time also have closely relations to seed germination and seedling growth.

Key words: Plants of Loranthaceae, Macrosolen cochinchinensis.