title: Stimulation of lettuce seed germination by ethylene.
abstract: Ethylene increased the germination of freshly imbibed lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. Grand Rapids) seeds. Seeds receiving either red or far-red light or darkness all showed a positive response to the gas. However, ethylene was apparently without effect on dormant seeds, those which failed to germinate after an initial red or far-red treatment. Carbon dioxide, which often acts as a competitive inhibitor of ethylene, failed to clearly reverse ethylene-enhanced seed germination. While light doubled ethylene production from the lettuce seeds, its effect was not mediated by the phytochrome system since both red and far-red light had a similar effect.
authors.affiliation: Plant Sciences Laboratories, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland 21701.
authors.forename: F B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Abeles
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lonski