Effects of Different Compound Treatments on Seed Germination of Sichuan Pepper (Zanthoxylum armatum DC.)

To investigate factors influencing the seed germination of Sichuan pepper ( Zanthoxylum armatum DC.) and determine the optimal germination method, this study used an L 16 (4 3 ) orthogonal test. The effects of compound treatments, including 2.5% sodium carbonate degreasing time, indole acetic acid (IAA) concentration, and IAA soaking time on seed germination were examined. The results indicated that 2.5% sodium carbonate degreasing time was the primary factor affecting the germination rate and vigor index of the seeds. IAA concentration primarily affected the germination index and the duration of germination, whereas IAA soaking time primarily influenced the time lag of germination. In addition, the 2.5% sodium carbonate degreasing time had a significant effect on the germination rate; IAA concentration significantly impacted the germination index; and IAA soaking time had a significant effect on both the germination index and the time lag of germination. Through the analysis and evaluation of the membership function, the optimal treatment combinations for seed germination were determined to be a 24-hour degreasing time with 2.5% sodium carbonate, an IAA concentration of 200 mg·L −1 , and an IAA soaking time of 12 hours. This study provides a valuable reference for the future propagation of Zanthoxylum armatum DC.