국내 자생식물 세 종의 테트라졸륨 활력 검정 조건 규명 = Determination of Conditions for Tetrazolium Viability Tests in Seeds of Three Korean Native Plant Species

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This study aimed to determine the optimal tetrazolium (TZ) test conditions for three coastal native Korean plant species used in restoration: Pittosporum tobira, Carex kobomugi, and Vitex rotundifolia. The initial seed moisture content differed with species: 50.3% for P. tobira, and ~5% for C. kobomugi and V. rotundifolia. No seeds were stained without cutting. However, after cutting, seed viability reached 96.7% in P. tobira, 57.5% in C. kobomugi, and 60.7% in V. rotundifolia, indicating its essentiality. This finding was attributable to thick pericarps and seed coats, which restricted TZ absorption. Species-specific tests identified P. tobira as the most viable after 24 h of incubation at 25°C–35°C. With C. kobomugi, viability differences between 24 and 48 h at 30°C–35°C were insignificant. However, viability could have been reduced due to a small embryo and perigynium. Additionally, viability varied between seeds collected at maturity in July and those collected just before dispersal in October, suggesting that seed maturity is a factor to be considered. V. rotundifolia demonstrated ~90% seed viability after 48 h of incubation at 25°C–30°C. Therefore, seed cutting followed by 24 h of incubation at 25°C–35°C with P. tobira, 24–48 h at 30°C–35°C for C. kobomugi, depending on seed maturity, and 48 h at 25°C–30°C with V. rotundifolia can be considered as optimal reference conditions. Species-specific TZ test protocols should be established to ensure an accurate evaluation of seed vitality in native Korean plants.