Abstract: Effects of short-term heating at 40, 45 and 50℃ on bud livability, bud burst, the ratio of free water and bound water and membrane permeability in‘Shuguang’nectarine tree were studied in order to know the mechanism of short-term heating releasing the endodormancy. On November 30, the date of endodormancy release was postponed, the bud burst, the ratio of free water and bound water and membrane permeability were lower on 40℃ - heating treatment. Whereas, 45℃ and 50℃ - heating treatment had the contrary effects. On December 10, 40℃ - heating treatment had the nearly same results as control on the above factors, and the effects of 45℃ and 50℃ - heating treatment on endodormancy release were the same as the treatment on November 30, and the effect of the formerwas superior to the latter. The correlation of the rate of bud burst, the ratio of free water and bound water, and membrane permeability of the different treatments indicated that the change from bound water to free water and the increase of membrane permeability were probably the cause of endodormancy release.

Key words: Nectarine, Short-term heating, Endodormancy, Bud