Studies in seed dormancy : VI. The effects of growth retardants on the gibberellin content and germination of chilled seeds of Corylus avellana L.
The germination at 20°, of hazel seeds which had been chilled, was significantly inhibited by 10(-4) M solutions of ABA and of five substances which are considered to be inhibitors of gibberellin synthesis, namely CCC, AMO 1618, Phosphon D, B-995 and C-011. When the endogenous gibberellins were extracted from chilled seeds which had been held at 20° for 7 days in the presence of 10(-4) M solutions of three of the most effective inhibitors of germination (Phosphon D, B-995 and C-011) it was found that gibberellin accumulation had been substantially inhibited. It is postulated that the inhibition of gibberellin synthesis inhibits the germination of previously chilled hazel seeds.
Botany Department, King's College, London, England.
J D
JD
Ross
J W
JW
Bradbeer