Temperature Effect on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Medicinal Umbelliferae Plants

Umbelliferae medicinal crops have low germination under natural condition. Special objective of this study is to investigate morphological characteristics of seeds and effects of environmental factors such as light and temperature on their germination and seedling growth in Umbelliferae plants, using them as oriental medicine materials. Fruits of Umbelliferae are bi-partite type and form 2 seeds. Their oil canals and funiculus or carpaphore has apparently specific shape. Seed shape of Buplerum falcatum, Ligusticum acutilobum and Foeniculum vulgare are oblong, Ledebouriella seseloides, Angelica dahurica, Angelica gigas elliptic, and Ostericum koreanum ovate. Color of seed coats varied from yellow to dark brown. Seed size was 3.2 to 6.9 mm in length, 1.7 to 4.9 mm in width. One thousand-seed weight of Buplerum falcatum was lowest(at 1,660 mg) and Ledebouriella seseloides and Angelica gigas were relatively highest(at 3,970 mg) having larger size than any others. Optimum temperatures for seed germination and seedling growth ranged from 20 to 25° C and especially temperature at 25° C improved seed germinations of Ledebouriella seseloides, Angelica dahurica and Ligusticum acutilobum regardless of light condition.