Objective:

2

To investigate the effect of exogenous nitric oxide (NO) on breaking the dormancy of

Acanthopanax senticosus

seeds and the changes in endogenous hormones and enzymes

and provide a basis for breaking the dormancy as well as artificial cultivation of

A

.

senticosus

seeds.

Method:

2

Different concentrations (1

5

10

20 mmol·L

-1

) of sodium nitroprusside (NO donor) were used to treat the

A

.

senticosus

seeds

and then thermophilic stratification was conducted. The content changes of endogenous hormones such as gibberellin (GA

3

)

abscisic acid (ABA)

indolo acetic acid (IAA)

indolo butyric acid (IBA) and salicylic acid (SA) at different stratification time (0

30

50

80

100

130 d) were tested by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The activity change of its

in vivo

enzymes [catalase (CAT)

superoxide dismutase (SOD)

peroxidase (POD)

and malondialdehyde (MDA)] were tested by enzyme-labeled instrument.

Result:

2

In the seed germination process of

A

.

senticosus

the contents of GA

3

IAA

IBA

and SA were increased gradually

while the content of ABA was reduced gradually. The enzyme activities of POD and MDA were significantly reduced

and the enzyme activities of CAT and SOD were increased obviously. Exogenous NO could increase the seed germination rate and shorten the seed germination time. The effect of 20 mmol·L

-1

sodium nitroprusside showed the most obvious effect and 10 mmol·L

-1

SNP showed the weakest effect in promoting seed germination

showing an obvious“V”shape for changes.

Conclusion:

2

Sodium nitroprusside could promote the seed germination effect of

A

.

senticosus

probably by increasing the content of hormones and enzyme in the stage of seed germination and improving the contents of endogenous NO during germination.