Seeds sterilization and germination
Alfalfa cultivar ‘Zhongmu No. 1’ was used in this study. The mature
seeds were soaked in 50% sulfuric acid for 10 minutes, rinsed 5 times
with sterile water. Then sterilizing with 5% sodium hypochlorite for 40
minutes, and then washed with sterile water for 5 times. The sterilized
alfalfa seeds (100 seeds/ plate) were germinated on filter paper soaked
with sterile water containing 0 μM ABA or 50 μM ABA in an incubator with
a photoperiod of 14h/ 10h (day/night), 25℃ for 7 days. The number of
germinated seeds was counted. Three biological replicates were carried
out.