Objective The study was performed to explore the germination characteristics of Passiflora edulia Sims seeds in order to lay a foundation for seed seedling raising and seed germination and character observation of hybrid offspring of P. edulia.

Method P. edulia seeds were used as experimental materials to study the effects of different water temperatures (25, 45, 65, 85, 100 ℃), time of soaking in concentrated sulfuric acid (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 8, 10 and 15 min), gibberellin concentrations (0, 200, 400 and 800 mg/L), culture temperatures (18, 28, 35, 18-28, 28-35 ℃), seed shells and different physical treatment methods (acupuncture and sanding) on seed germination of P. edulia. Taking germination rate, germination potential and germination index as test indexes, different germination conditions were evaluated to determine the suitable ones for seed germination.

Result The germination rate of P. edulia seeds soaked in 65℃ warm water for 24 h was the highest (57.78%). The optimum soaking time in concentrated sulfuric acid was 8 min, the germination rate, germination potential and germination index were 77.38%, 77.38% and 3.39%, respectively. The germination rate was 81.11% when the soaking concentration of gibberellin was 400 mg/L. The optimum culture temperature for germination was 28-35℃, and the germination rate was 64.44%. The seed germination rate of P. edulia was 76.67%. There was no significant difference in seed germination between physical treatment and acupuncture treatment, but acupuncture was not well controlled and easy to hurt seed embryo. Grinding treatment was the best, and the germination rate was 60%.

Conclusion The seeds of P. edulia are suitable to be soaked in 65℃ warm water for 24 h or soaked in concentrated sulfuric acid for 8 min for 24 h; The seed germination rate can be effectively improved by grinding treatment or soaking in 400 mg/L gibberellin for 24 h. The suitable germination culture temperature is 28-35℃.