Abstract: This paper studied the effects of wet storage at relatively low temperatures (15, 4 and 0  ℃) during winter and dry storage at room temperature (20-25  ℃) for 30 days on seed germination of five Verbenaceae species including Lantana camara, Duranta repens, Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, Vitex negundo var. cannabifolia, and Vitex trifolia var. simplicifolia from eastern Guangdong, aiming to better understand the seed germination characteristics of these species and how these species adapted to their habitats. The results showed that seed germination percentages of five Verbenaceae species on the conditions of seed dispersal (incubation at 25  ℃ or 25/15  ℃ for 30 days) were low (<50%) or with no germination. Cold stratification at 15  ℃ and 4  ℃ significantly increased their germination percentage and rates. Seeds of L. camara with initial germination of 10.7% had a germination percentage of 45.3% after wet storage at 15  ℃. Seeds of S. jamaicensis with initial germination of 10% and 49.3% (at 25  ℃, 25/15  ℃, respectively) germinated up to 22.7%-34% and >55%, following cold stratification (exception for storage at 0  ℃) and dry storage at room temperature, respectively. As for seeds of V. negundo var. cannabifolia with initial germination of 10%, cold stratification and dry storage increased the germination percentage to 20%-30%. Seeds of V. trifolia var. simplicifolia with no initial germination germinated to 45.3% and 42% following storage at 15  ℃ and 4  ℃, respectively. Germination percentage of D. repens seeds following various storage treatments was less than 6%. The cold stratification may be an environment cue or trigger of germination for these Verbenaceae species to ensure that germination in spring is most favorable for the survival of seedlings, thus ensuring seedling survival and population establishment.

Key words: grain filling characteristics., maize, sowing date