Pinus bungeana Zucc. ex Endl. is an endemic conifer tree species in China with high ornamental value. In order to investigate favorable conditions for seed germination and explore the germination inhibition mechanism of this species at high temperatures, the effects of temperature, light, and storage on the mean germination time (MGT), speed of germination (SG), and total germination percentage (TGP) are evaluated here. Seeds that have either been kept still or entered into a state of dormancy at high temperature are assessed here by a recovery experiment. Furthermore, the contribution of covering layers on thermo-inhibition is analyzed here, including the way they work. This has been realized by the structural observation and via the determination of the abscisic acid (ABA) content. The results show that seeds germinate to a high percentage (approximately 90%) at temperatures of 15 or 20 °C, with or without light, whereas higher temperatures of 25 or 30 °C impeded radicle protrusion and resulted in the germination percentage decreasing sharply (within 5%). Inhibition at high temperatures was thoroughly reversed (bringing about approximately 80% germination) by placing the ungerminated seeds in favorable temperatures and incubating them for an additional 30 days. Dry cold storage did little to reduce the temperature request for germination. Embryo coverings, especially the nucellar membrane, and ABA levels both had a dominant role in seed germination regulation in response to temperature. Under favorable temperature conditions, the levels of ABA significantly decreased. Germination occurred when the levels dropped to a threshold of 15 ng/g (FW (Fresh Weight)). Incubation at a high temperature (25 °C) greatly increased ABA levels and caused the inhibition of radicle protrusion.

With the aim of investigating the antioxidant system and germinability in response to the desiccation of Ginkgo biloba seeds, they were put in a drying room (25 ± 2% relative humidity, 25 °C) for 67 days. Results showed that the germination rate remained constant when seed moisture content (MC) decreased from 48% (fresh seeds) to 45.1%. However, when MC reached 40.1%, the germination percentage decreased from 92% to 50%. A significant positive correlation was observed between the MC and seed germination percentage (r = 0.910). The electrical conductivity was significantly increased during the initial desiccation (48–45.1%). Furthermore, both the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activity first reduced, then elevated to peak values before they declined again. POD activity rose earlier than SOD activity, indicating that the POD reaction was more desiccation-sensitive than the SOD. Significant negative correlations were observed between the MC and malondialdehyde (MDA) content (r = −0.619) and electrical conductivity (r = −0.745). Our collective results suggest that G. biloba seeds are highly sensitive to desiccation. Excessive desiccation could reduce the antioxidant enzyme activity of G. biloba seeds and intensify membrane lipid peroxidation, which causes the consequent reduction—or even the complete loss—of seed germinability.

Phoebe sheareri is an excellent roadside tree with a wide distribution range and high ornamental value. Excessive moisture can affect the external morphology, the microstructure, and the ultrastructure of the leaf. Little is known at present regarding the leaf structure of P. sheareri under waterlogging stress. In this paper, the external morphology of leaves, the microstructure of leaf epidermis, and the ultrastructure of mesophyll cells of P. sheareri seedlings under waterlogging stress and drainage were dynamically observed. Waterlogging stress contributed to the yellowing and wilting of P. sheareri seedling leaves, the gradual closing of leaf epidermal stomata, increasing density of leaf stomata, gradual loosening of the arrangement of leaf cell structure, and merging of leaf palisade tissue cells. Waterlogging stress forced the structure of the chloroplast membranes to blur, gradually causing swelling, and deformation, with plasmolysis occurring in severe cases. During waterlogging, the basal lamellae were disorganized, and the mitochondrial membrane structure was damaged. The damaged state of the leaves was not relieved after drainage. Waterlogging stress not only inhibited the growth of leaves, but also accelerated the closure of stomata, disordered the arrangement of palisade tissue and spongy tissue gradually, and damaged the internal organelles of mesophyll cells.

An understanding of the seed dynamics of endangered plant species, such as Magnolia zenii Cheng, is important for successful conservation. This study examined the morphological, physiological and biochemical changes that occur in M. zenii Cheng during seed development to determine the appropriate harvest stage. The appearance of the seeds was influenced by the physiological and biochemical changes occurring during the developmental period, during which the colour of the fruits changed from green to red, while that of the seed changed from light brown to dark brown. There was a significant decrease in the seed moisture content from 90 to 120 days after flowering (DAF); however, there was no significant change from 135 to 165 DAF. The seeds from 135 DAF onwards showed developed cotyledonary embryos. The seed viability exceeded 95% from 135 DAF onwards; however, the germination percentage was 0, hypothesising that the seeds of M. zenii Cheng might exhibit physiological dormancy under certain conditions of this experiment. There was a significant increase in the fat, soluble sugar and soluble starch content of the seeds while approaching maturity. There were significant changes in malate dehydrogenase (MDH), glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G‐6‐PDH), 6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6‐PGDH) and β‐amylase activities in the seeds during the developmental period. At 135–165 DAF, the MDH activity remained stable, whereas that of 6‐PGDH reached its maximum, indicating that the seeds underwent vigorous metabolism. The findings of this study provide a theoretical basis for researching seed dormancy and seed harvest time.