-This study aimed to investigate the morphological characteristics and optimal germination conditions in seeds of Arabis pendula L., a traditionally edible and medicinal plant. The external seed shape was circular-obovate with narrow wings and dark brown. The seed length and width were 1.25 ㎜ and 1.47 ㎜, respectively. The seeds were exalbuminous and the embryo was a bent type. Seed germination was the highest (49.7%) at 20°C under dark conditions among the various temperature and light conditions applied. However, under the dark condition, the seedling was weak, overgrown, and the cotyledons were small and folded. To improve the germination and growth of seedlings, the seeds were pre-treated with GA3 solutions of varying concentrations (0, 200, 500, and 1,000 ㎎/L). The seed germination and seedling growth were effectively improved by GA3 pre-treatment. The germination rate was the highest (97.3%), mean germination time was the shortest (8.1 days), and a vigorous growth of seedlings was observed upon pre-soaking the seeds in 500 ㎎/L GA3 solution.In conclusion, the best method for germination was pre-soaking in 500 ㎎/L GA3 (4℃, dark, 24 h) and incubating the seeds at 20℃ for 15 days.

-This study was conducted to determine the optimal conditions of growth medium, temperature, and light quality for efficient propagation of Lygodium japonicum spores. The rate of spore germination and prothalium development was high in Knop and 1/8MS and 1/4MS media, which had low mineral content; in particular, the germination rate exceeded 74%, and the germinated spores developed into heart-shaped prothallia. However, in Knop's medium with the lowest mineral content, a rapid prothallium senescence was observed; in 1/4MS medium, prothallium development was delayed. Germination rate increased with the increase in temperature and reached its maximum, 86.7%, at 30°C; however, at this temperature, the prothallia were thinner and abnormal development of rhizoids was observed compared to normally developed prothallia and rhizoids at 25°C. Therefore, the results suggested that the optimal temperature for L. japonicum spore germination was 25°C. The rate of germination was also measured under different light conditions, and the highest rate of 90.6% was observed under LED red light compared to fluorescent (77.2%) or LED blue (5.4%) lights. The germinated spores developed into heart-shaped prothallia under LED red light; however, 15 days after seeding, prothallium development decreased and the became elongated. In contrast, a normal and continuous development of heart-shaped prothallia was observed under fluorescent light.

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