The Seed Storage Performance, Seed Dormancy and the Growth of Seedling of Lithocarpus lepidocarpus (Hayata) Hayata

The seeds of Lithocarpus lepidocarpus （Hayata） Hayata, after being collected and stored at 4℃ chilling stratification, have the longest survival period of 54 months. However, the highest germination rate is attained after being stored for 10 to 12 months and decline after 24 months. If stored at 4℃chilling stratification, the shell-cracking rate(including germination rate) of seeds with shell was about 20%, 25% , 30%，40%, and 50-70% after storage for 6 months,10 months, 12 months，14 months and 24 months, respectively. Being put at 30℃/20℃ (under light/dark 12hr/12hr), cracked seeds might grow roots longer than 2 cm in 14 days. During 2 years of storage, active seeds, after ex-shelling, all germinated normally if sowed. The mean germination time (MGT) of above seeds was within 25 days. Ex-shelled seeds were undurable for storage at room temperature，might be stored for only 6 months at 4℃chilling stratification. Stored at 4℃chilling stratification for over 12 months, root growth of shell-cracked seeds might be depressed by low temperature and then the storage period might be extended to 6 to 9 months more. But after germination if still stored at 4℃chilling stratification for 10 months more, roots were often injured and unable to become seedlings. The seeds dormancy of Lithocarpus lepidocarpus is closely related to shell existence and together with some physical dormancy phenomena. However, further research is necessary for the understanding of detailed mechanism.