The presence of abscisic acid (ABA) in Korean pine seed extract was identified by gaschromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in our experiment. Levels of ABA of differentparts of seeds stratified and unstratified or washed and unwashed were quantified by gaschromatography (GC). The highest content of ABA was found in the seed coat (1.105μg/gair dried specimen) before stratification. The ABA contents of different parts decreasedobviously after stratification or washing. The decreases in ABA contents of seed coats,stratified or washed, were the same (from 1.015μg/g to 0.015μg/g). The ABA contents ofthe endosperm and embryo of washed seed were lower than those of the stratified seed (Table1). The washed seeds could not germinate, but if the seed coat was broken by gripping, itwould germinate gradually. Even if the seed coat of the unwashed seed was broken, the sameresult occurred. The germination capacities of both reached 62% and 58% respectively. Theseresults indicate that the dormancy of Korean pine seed is not closely correlated with ABA.Our test shows that the seed coat was permeable to water. Therefore, we come to the con-clusion that the only possible factors to cause dormancy in Korean pine seed will be themechanical resistance and/or gas impermeability of seed coat. The presence of abscisic acid (ABA) in Korean pine seed extract was identified by gaschromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in our experiment. Levels of ABA of differentparts of seeds stratified and unstratified or washed and unwashed were quantified by gaschromatography (GC) The highest content of ABA was found in the seed coat (1.105 μg / gair dried specimen) before stratification. The ABA contents of different parts decreasedobviously after stratification or washing. The decreases in ABA contents of seed coats, stratified or washed, were the The ABA contents of the endosperm and embryo of washed seed were lower than those of the stratified seed (Table 1). The washed seeds could not germinate, but if the seed coat was broken by gripping, itwould germinate gradually. Even if the seed coat of the unwashed seed was broken, the sameresult occurred. The germination capacities of both reached 62% and 58% respectively. Theseresults indicate that the dorma Our test shows that the seed coat was permeable to water. Therefore, we come to the con-clusion that the only possible factors to cause dormancy in Korean pine seed will be the themechanical resistance and / or gas impermeability of seed coat.