Breaking dormancy in buckwheat

Ying Jie Wang and Clayton G. Campbell

Kade Research Ltd. Morden. Manitoba, Canada R6M 1E9

Ying Jie Wang and Clayton G. Campbell. 2000. Breaking dormancy in buckwheat. Fagopyrum 17: 45-50.

Abstract: Dormancy in buckwheat including chilling treatments, dormancy period, dormancy types, and effect of light on dormancy, were studied. At room temperature, more than 90% of Tartary buckwheat seeds germinated after three weeks, but only approximately 80% germinated in common buckwheat after a 7-9 week period, even though 10% seeds had initially germinated in common buckwheat. Four chilling treatments for up to 3 weeks, i.e. a) -20°C constantly; b) -20°C and room temperature alternating on a 24 h basis; c) 3°C constantly; and d) 3°C and room temperature alternating on a 24 h basis, did not promoted germination. In common and self-pollinated buckwheat, seeds started to germinate after the seed coats were removed indicating the presence of a coat-enhanced type of dormancy. When the number of seed germination and seedling growth under light and dark are taken into effect, it is apparent that the surrounding structure of seed, the seed coat or endosperm, were the main barriers of germination rather than light. The present study provides a rapid method of germinating seeds by removal of their surrounding structure, seed coats and endosperms, and has direct applications in plant breeding.

Key words: chilling treatments, dormancy period and types, light effect