Research Advances in Taxus chinensis Seed Dormancy and Dormancy Breaking

The major breaking methods for Taxus chinensis seed dormancy were summarized, which included embryo culture, stratification and treatment with plant growth regulators. Higher germination rate could be obtained by embryo culture, but the seedling rate varied greatly. Though the germination rate was comparatively lower, both of the stratification and treatment with plant growth regulators or the combination with the two methods would be more practicable. The existing problems related to T. chinensis seed dormancy breaking were discussed, and the research orientations in the future were proposed.