Endogenous Screening of Torreya grandis Seeds Inhibitting Their Germination and Growth

The GC-MS method was used to identify the species and relative content of endogenous in episperm, endopleura, endosperm extracts of Torreya grandis seeds. At the same time, the bioassay was carried out using the material of Brassica pekinensis as the acceptor, and the effect of endogenous substances from different parts of Torreya grandis seeds on the germination and growth inhibition of the Brassica pekinensis seed was analyzed. Results showed that the organic compounds were mainly alkanes, phenols, alcohols, acids and so on. Episperm and endosperm ether phase contained 2, 6-di-tert-butyl-p-cresol (relative content of 100%). The content of dimethylcyclopentane in episperm and endosperm in petroleum ether phase were both higher than 13%, while the content endopleura was lower at 9.41%. The relative content of catechol was found to be 43.19% in the methanol phase extract of endosperm. Seed germination was inhibited by extracts in the organic phase extracted from episperm, endopleura and episperm. The germiantion inhibitory effects conducted by episperm and endosperm were stronger than that by endopleura. Among them, the alkanes in the methanol phase extract of seed coat and catechol in the methanol phase extract of endosperm was highest inhibitory to the germination rate and seedling growth of Brassica pekinensis seedlings, and the inhibition rate was 100%. The petroleum ether phase of inside seed coat had no significant effect on the germination rate and growth of Brassica pekinensis seedlings.