Observations on characteristics and growth envirnoment of Zizania regerminatio and its nomenclature

ObjectiveMorphologic and biochemical characteristics and growth requirements of Zizania regerminatio (variant) germplasm, a wild aquatic vegetable in Nanjing, Jiangsu were studied to provide reference for artificial domesti-cation and cultivation of it. MethodWild Z. regerminatio(variant) germplasm collected in Nanjing, Jiangsu was used as material. Plot planting experiment was conducted to analyze its morphologic and biochemical characteristics and growth en-vironment, and discuss its nomenclature. Result Z. regerminatio in Nanjing grew in shallow water, the suitable water level was 5.0-35.0 cm. The lowest germination temperature was 3-5 ℃, the lowest and highest daily average temperatures were 12 and 26 ℃, and the lowest and highest daily average water temperatures were 13 and 19 ℃ during growing and har-vest. Seedlings above ground started to grow since July, the 9th-10th joints began to ear and in flowers, but some flowers were sterile, some produced seeds. The edible part was tender stem in white or yellow colors, with 20.0-30.0 cm length, 1.0 cm diameter and 7.0-10.0 g single stem weight. Erect stem and stem above ground were the optimal propagating materials.In April-May, the average yield this year(with hull) in plot whose basic seedling number was 7 and planting density 33.0 cm×33.0 cm was the highest(5595.0 kg); the average yield next year(with hull) in plot whose basic seedling number was 5 and planting density 100.0 cm×100.0 cm was the highest(3480.0 kg). According to International Code of Nomenclature, Z. regerminatio in Nanjing was named Zizania regerminatio Zhi Long Qian et Hui Fen Li. The white vari-ant was named Z. regerminatio Z. L. Qian et H. F. Li var. lautus Zhi Long Qian et Hui Fen Li, the yellow variant was named Z. regerminatio Z. L. Qian et H. F. Li var. frugi Zhi Long Qian et Hui Fen Li, and its English name was Jiao er cai.ConclusionZ. regerminatio in Nanjing, Jiangsu is a short-day plant growing in shallow water. It can be aquatic veg-etable, ornamental plant and wetland plant. It is named Zizania regerminatio Zhi Long Qian et Hui Fen Li, and English name is Jiao er cai.