Peng, Hu, Sun and Li (2019). Seed Science and Technology, 47, 3, 301-306. https://doi.org/10.15258/sst.2019.47.3.05 Research Note Dry after-ripening, light, cold stratification and temperature effects on seed germination of Primula poissonii from Yunnan, China Deli Peng 1, Xiaojian Hu3, Hang Sun2 and Zhimin Li1* 1 School of Life Science, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China 2 Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China 3 National Germplasm Bank of Wild Species, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China * Authors for correspondence (E-mail:
[email protected]) (Submitted June 2019; Accepted August 2019; Published online October 2019) Abstract Primula poissonii, an attractive wild plant growing in the subalpine/alpine region of southwest China, has low seed germination in cultivation. This study attempted to improve seed germination by testing the effect of several treatments including dry after-ripening (DAR), light, cold stratification (CS) and temperature gradient treatments. DAR increased germination at 15/5 and 25/15°C, as compared with fresh seeds. DAR seeds germinated significantly better (˃ 80%) at higher temperatures (20-28°C) than at lower (10°C, < 20%; 15°C, < 30%) and extreme high temperatures (30°C, < 55%; 32°C, 0%). Incubation at alternating temperature (25/15°C) did not significantly improve germination; whereas at 15/5°C germination increased significantly, compared with the corresponding constant temperature (20 and 10°C, respectively). DAR seeds had a strict light requirement at all temperatures.