Effects of Exogenous Ethylene on the Germination of Different Pepper Varieties Seeds

Using ethylene with different concentration (0~250 mg/L) to treat pepper seeds, four kinds pepper varieties included in the cultivated species Capsicum annuum were chosen as materials to study the effect of ethylene on the germination of pepper seeds. The results were showed as follows: ethylene had little effect on the germination potential and rate. Ethylene with low concentration (50 mg/L) did not exert a significant influence upon germination index which was significantly inhibited by high concentration ethylene (100~250 mg/L). The length of hypocotyl and radicle, and the hypocotyl bending angle were also significantly inhibited by ethylene, the inhibition level was gradually strengthened with the increase of ethylene concentration. The hypocotyl diameter firstly increased and then decreased with the increase of ethylene concentrations, however the final diameter was thicker than the contrast. In conclusion, the effect of ethylene on the germination of pepper seeds differed depending on the ethylene concentration.