Effects of Storage Temperature and Time on Seed Germination of Rhododendron delavayi

In order to investigate the suitable method for shortterm storage of Rhododendron delavayi seeds, the germination tests of seeds, collected from 4 populations of R. delavayi and stored under different temperatures for 30d and 310d were conducted. The results showed that, after 30d of storage under room temperature, 4℃ and -20℃, the differences of seeds germination rate were not significant, but significant differences appeared in germination potential, and the seeds germination potential was highest when they were stored at room temperature. Simultaneously, the differences of seeds germination rate between collection populations were statistically significant, but was not significant in seeds germination potential. Among four populations, Maxiongshan population seeds held the highest germination rate and germination potential. Therefore, room temperature storage was more suitable for R. delavayi seeds to store about 30d. After 310d of storage at room temperature, 4℃ and -20℃, the differences of seed germination rate and germination potential all were significant, and seeds stored at 4℃ had the highest germination rate and germination potential. However, the differences of seed germination rate and germination potential between collection populations were not significant. Furthermore, with the extension of storage time, the seed germination rate showed a decrease trend, but germination potential of seeds stored at 4℃ for 310 d were significant higher than that of the seeds stored at 4℃for 30d. Thus, it was concluded that 4℃ was the suitable storage for R. delavayi seeds to store about 310d.