Germination of Pulsatilla cernua var. koreana Seeds as Influenced by Harvest Dates and Development of Seeds Analyzed by X-ray Imaging

Pulsatilla cernua var. koreana seeds were harvested at six different dates between 16 days after flowering (DAF) (8 Apr.) and 43 DAF (5 May) in 2018 categorized into groups based on X-ray images. Germination tests performed without with 2 weeks of moist 5 °C treatment [cold stratification (CS)]. Seeds 38 (30 well-developed vegetative organs (embryo endosperm) as A B (seed seed B, respectively) the images considered fully developed, 80% mature. However, germination rates less than 26% or 28% when full received no 14 CS treatment, respectively. Our study suggests that low rate developed judged by showing embryo endosperm could result from presence dormancy was not broken effectively coupled loss viability caused 8 months dry storage °C.