混合盐碱胁迫对小白菜种子萌发的影响

用不同浓度的NaCl、Na₂SO₄、NaHCO₃和Na₂CO₃混合液对小白菜(Brassica chinensis L.)种子进行种子萌发试验,观察小白菜种子在不同浓度盐碱胁迫下的发芽率和发芽指数。结果表明,在混合盐碱胁迫下,小白菜种子的发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数和活力指数均随pH值增大和盐浓度的升高呈下降趋势,且各萌发指标与盐浓度的相关系数明显大于pH值,可见小白菜种子发芽受盐浓度的影响更大。低浓度(50mmol·L^-1)盐碱胁迫对小白菜种子萌发影响不大,高浓度(200mmol·L^-1)盐碱胁迫下小白菜的种子萌发受到严重影响。     

混合盐碱胁迫对灰绿藜(Chenopodium glaucum L.)种子萌发的影响

灰绿藜广泛分布于新疆中低度盐碱地干旱区,属藜科1年生经济盐生植物。本实验研究了混合盐碱胁迫对灰绿藜种子萌发和萌发恢复的影响。结果表明:随着盐浓度和pH值的增高,灰绿藜的种子萌发率呈下降趋势;同一盐浓度不同pH处理的灰绿藜种子萌发率随pH值的升高而减少,同样,随着盐浓度和pH值的增加,灰绿藜种子的萌发速率均为下降;从各胁迫处理的种子萌发的幼苗的生长表型来看,盐浓度和pH值是两个重要的影响因素;将未萌发的种子转移至蒸馏水中复水后,最终萌发率达到90%以上,说明一定程度的混合盐碱胁迫对灰绿藜种子的萌发潜力没有太大的影响,并且萌发恢复率随着盐浓度的增加而增加;盐浓度、pH值及其相互作用对灰绿藜种子萌发有抑制作用;盐浓度是决定性的主导因素,pH值对灰绿藜种子萌发的影响次之;综上,混合盐碱胁迫对灰绿藜的种子萌发和萌发生长的表型均有明显的抑制作用。     

γ-氨基丁酸对盐碱胁迫下甘草种子萌发的影响

为提高甘草种子及幼苗的耐盐碱性,本实验采用培养皿纸上发芽法,以甘草种子（Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.）为试验材料,研究γ-氨基丁酸（GABA）对盐、碱和盐碱胁迫下甘草种子萌发特性和抗氧化酶活性的影响。结果表明,0.1 mmol·L-1的GABA显著提高盐胁迫下种子的活力指数,促进胚轴长度;0.2 mmol·L-1的GABA可有效提高碱胁迫下种子的发芽势,0.5 mmol·L-1的GABA提高胚根长;盐碱胁迫下,胚根和鲜重在0.3 mmol·L-1的GABA处理下显著增加。GABA也可显著提高3种胁迫下的抗氧化酶活性,其中,0.05 mmol·L-1的GABA可显著提高3种胁迫下的过氧化物酶（POD）活性。0.2 mmol·L-1的GABA提高盐胁迫下超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性。0.3 mmol·L-1的GABA提高碱和盐碱胁迫下的CAT活性,0.5 mmol·L-1的GABA可提高其SOD活性。综上,GABA可通过提高种子发芽势、活力指数和抗氧化酶活性来缓解盐碱胁迫对甘草种子萌发的影响,提高甘草幼苗的耐盐碱能力。     

外源H2S供体NaHS浸种对盐碱胁迫下裸燕麦种子萌发特性的影响

硫化氢（H₂S）信号在作物种子萌发和逆境响应中发挥着重要作用。为探讨外源H₂S供体NaHS浸种对盐碱胁迫下作物种子萌发的影响,以裸燕麦（Avena nude）为材料,用不同浓度NaHS（0、50、100、200和400 μmol·L^-1）浸种8 h后分别在浓度为0、15、30、45和60 mmol·L^-1的混合盐碱（NaCl∶Na₂SO₄∶Na₂CO₃∶NaHCO₃摩尔比为12∶8∶1∶9）胁迫下进行种子萌发试验,分析其发芽率（Gp）、发芽指数（Gi）、活力指数（Vi）、平均发芽时间（MGT）、幼苗干重（SDW）和隶属函数综合评价值（D）的变化。结果表明：盐碱浓度和NaHS浓度及两者的交互作用对Gp、Gi、Vi、MGT、SDW和D值存在显著（P<0.05）或极显著（P<0.01）的影响。随着盐碱浓度提高,Gp、Gi、Vi、MGT、SDW和D值呈显著下降变化。与0 μmol·L^-1 NaHS对照（CK）相比,50和100 μmol·L^-1 NaHS不同程度提高了0 mmol·L^-1盐碱胁迫下的Gp、Gi、Vi和D值;50 μmol·L^-1 NaHS显著提高了30 mmol·L^-1盐碱胁迫下的Gp;50和100 μmol·L^-1 NaHS不同程度提高了15、30和45 mmol·L^-1盐碱胁迫下的Gi;50 μmol·L^-1 NaHS显著提高了30 mmol·L^-1盐碱胁迫下的Vi;50和100 μmol·L^-1 NaHS显著提高了45 mmol·L^-1盐碱胁迫下的D值;其他处理的各发芽指标值与CK的差异不显著或显著降低。这些结果说明,适宜浓度NaHS浸种能够缓解盐碱胁迫对裸燕麦种子萌发的抑制,其中以50 μmol·L^-1 NaHS缓解45 mmol·L^-1以下浓度盐碱胁迫的效果最佳,200和400 μmol·L^-1 NaHS加重盐碱胁迫对种子萌发的抑制,NaHS对高浓度（60 mmol·L^-1）盐碱抑制裸燕麦种子萌发无缓解作用。     

外源赤霉素GA3对混合盐碱胁迫下小白菜种子萌发的影响

以小白菜（Brassica campestris ssp．chinensis L．）为材料,通过采用不同浓度的外源赤霉素（GA3）浸种处理,研究了GA3对混合盐碱胁迫下小白菜种子的发芽率（Gr）、发芽势（Gv）、发芽指数（Gi）以及根毛区宽度和胚长的影响。结果表明：混合盐碱胁迫下,小白菜各发芽指标均显著低于对照,GA,处理后,各指标均显著提高,且随外源GA3浓度的增加,各指标均表现出先增后减的趋势,当GA3浓度达80mg／L时,各发芽指标达到峰值,说明80mg／LGA3可使混合盐胁迫下小白菜种子萌发的缓解作用达到最佳。同时外源GA3处理还可不同程度地缓解盐胁迫对小白菜种子a-淀粉酶活性的抑制。     

盐碱胁迫下星星草种子萌发过程中氮代谢的初步研究

对不同浓度Ｎａ２ＣＯ３胁迫下星星草种子萌发过程中可溶性蛋白质,游离氨基酸及游离脯氨酸含量的变化进行了研究。结果表明：无盐胁迫下,伴随种子的萌发过程,可溶性蛋白质,游离氨基酸含量不断增加。     

Ca2+参与H2O2促进盐碱混合胁迫下燕麦种子的萌发和成苗

盐碱胁迫是制约作物高产优质的重要因素,Ca²⁺和H₂O₂作为信号分子参与作物逆境响应调节。为了解Ca²⁺是否参与H₂O₂对盐碱胁迫下植物种子萌发和成苗的调控,以燕麦（Avena nude）为试验材料,采用隶属函数分析方法,研究了胞外游离Ca²⁺螯合剂EGTA、质膜Ca²⁺通道阻断剂LaCl₃和液泡膜Ca²⁺释放抑制剂钌红（RR）与H₂O₂共处理对盐碱混合（NaCl：Na₂SO₄：NaHCO₃：Na₂CO₃=12：8：9：1）胁迫下种子萌发和成苗的影响。结果表明,25~200 mmol·L^-1盐碱混合胁迫显著抑制燕麦的种子萌发和成苗,抑制程度随浓度提高而增强;0.001~2 mmol·L^-1 H₂O₂能够促进燕麦种子的萌发和成苗,且0.5 mmol·L^-1 H₂O₂可以显著缓解75 mmol·L^-1盐碱混合胁迫对燕麦种子萌发和成苗的抑制作用;而EGTA、LaCl₃和RR均能消减H₂O₂对盐碱混合胁迫下燕麦种子萌发和成苗的促进作用。表明Ca²⁺参与H₂O₂促进盐碱混合胁迫下燕麦种子萌发和成苗的信号转导过程。     

胞质Ca2+参与外源H2S促进盐碱胁迫下裸燕麦种子萌发

硫化氢（Hydrogen sulfide,H₂S）是植物新型气体信号分子,钙离子（Calcium,Ca²⁺）为重要的第二信使,两者在植物逆境响应中分别发挥着重要作用。为明确胞质Ca²⁺在外源H₂S促进盐碱胁迫下作物种子萌发中的作用,以裸燕麦（Avena nude）为材料,采用培养皿培养,以混合盐碱（NaCl、Na₂SO₄、Na₂CO₃、NaHCO₃的摩尔比为12：8：1：9）模拟甘肃裸燕麦种植地盐碱环境,蒸馏水为对照,测定了胞外Ca²⁺螯合剂乙二醇-双-（2-氨基乙醚）四乙酸（EGTA）、质膜Ca²⁺通道阻断剂氯化镧（LaCl₃）、液泡Ca²⁺释放抑制剂钌红（RR）和内质网钙泵阻断剂毒胡萝卜素（Thaps）分别与H₂S供体硫氢化钠（NaHS）共处理下种子的发芽势、发芽率、发芽指数、活力指数、平均发芽速率、胚根长和胚芽长7个发芽指标,利用隶属函数分析方法综合评价胞质Ca²⁺对H₂S缓解盐碱胁迫抑制种子萌发的影响。结果表明,随着盐碱胁迫浓度增大,裸燕麦种子的发芽势、发芽率、发芽指数、活力指数、平均发芽速率、胚根长和胚芽长显著下降。与对照相比,15~75 mmol·L^-1盐碱胁迫导致裸燕麦种子萌发的隶属函数综合评价值（D）显著降低,30 mmol·L^-1盐碱胁迫下D值下降了73.1%;100~1 000 μmol·L^-1 NaHS不同程度提高了裸燕麦种子萌发的D值,且100 μmol·L^-1 NaHS缓解30 mmol·L^-1盐碱胁迫下D值下降的作用最大;EGTA、LaCl₃和RR均显著逆转了100 μmol·L^-1 NaHS对30 mmol·L^-1盐碱胁迫下D值下降的缓解作用,而Thaps对NaHS的作用无显著影响。表明胞质Ca²⁺参与外源H₂S促进盐碱胁迫下裸燕麦种子萌发的信号传导过程,且胞质Ca²⁺主要来源于胞外Ca²⁺的内流和液泡中Ca²⁺的释放。     

外源褪黑素对复合盐碱胁迫下黑果枸杞种子萌发和幼苗生长的缓解效应

以黑果枸杞种子为实验试材,将中性盐NaCl、Na₂SO₄和碱性盐NaHCO₃、Na₂CO₃按碱性盐占比由小到大模拟组成中性复合盐L(1∶1∶0∶0)、中度碱性复合盐M(1∶9∶9∶1)和重度碱性复合盐H(9∶1∶1∶9),采用纸上萌发法,研究外源褪黑素浓度(0.1、0.3、0.5、1.0 mmol/L)对不同盐碱组成(L、M、H)及其盐碱浓度(50、100、200 mmol/L)组合胁迫下黑果枸杞种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响。结果显示：(1)黑果枸杞幼苗的生长表型(长势)随盐碱浓度及碱性盐占比升高明显减弱;适当低中浓度外源褪黑素(0.1、0.3、0.5 mmol/L)能在一定程度上缓解盐碱胁迫对幼苗生长的伤害,过高浓度外源褪黑素(1.0 mmol/L)则使伤害加剧;施加外源褪黑素使黑果枸杞幼苗侧根数量明显增多。(2)黑果枸杞种子的萌发进程与盐碱组成、盐碱浓度及褪黑素浓度密切相关,随盐碱浓度和碱性盐占比升高,黑果枸杞种子萌发的起始时间延迟,萌发总时长缩短;施加适当浓度外源褪黑素能使盐碱胁迫下黑果枸杞种子萌发起始时间提前,并延长萌发总时长。(3)在L复合盐处理中,随盐碱胁迫浓度升高,黑果枸杞种子的发芽率(GR)、发芽势(GP)、发芽指数(GI)、活力指数(VI)、芽长(SL)、根长(RL)均先升后降,但在M和H复合盐碱处理中,各项萌发指标均随盐碱胁迫浓度升高呈逐渐下降趋势。(4) 外源褪黑素对黑果枸杞种子各项萌发指标具有明显“低促高抑”现象,L复合盐中,在3种盐碱浓度胁迫下,褪黑素浓度为0.1和0.3 mmol/L时对GP、GR、GI、VI、SL、RL有促进作用,并以0.1 mmol/L综合促进效果最佳,褪黑素浓度为0.5和1.0 mmol/L时对GP、GR、GI、VI产生抑制作用,褪黑素浓度为1.0 mmol/L对SL、RL有抑制作用;M和H复合盐中,在3种盐碱浓度胁迫下,褪黑素浓度为0.1、0.3、0.5 mmol/L时对各指标均有促进作用,并以0.3 mmol/L综合促进效果最佳,褪黑素浓度为1.0 mmol/L时则产生抑制。研究表明,低浓度中性复合盐处理对黑果枸杞种子萌发和幼苗生长有一定促进作用,高浓度中性复合盐及中度和重度碱性复合盐则产生抑制作用;外源褪黑素对盐碱胁迫下黑果枸杞种子萌发和幼苗生长的缓解具有明显剂量效应,0.1 mmol/L褪黑素对中性复合盐胁迫的综合促进效果更佳, 0.3 mmol/L褪黑素则对中度和重度碱性复合盐胁迫有最佳促进效果。     

植物对盐碱胁迫的适应机理研究进展

土壤盐碱化已成为制约农业发展的世界环境问题之一。盐碱胁迫主要通过渗透胁迫、离子毒害以及高pH胁迫对植物造成伤害,同时影响植物多个生理活动。综述了盐碱胁迫对植物种子萌发、植株生长发育、生理代谢、细胞膜、光合作用等的影响,从生理生化机制和分子机制两个方面分析了植物对盐碱胁迫的适应机理,以及施用外源物质、培育耐盐碱品种和抗盐锻炼的措施,为提高植物耐盐碱性和改良盐碱地提供理论依据。     

盐分和水分胁迫对盐生植物灰绿藜种子萌发的影响

研究了不同浓度的NaCl和复合盐及等渗溶液(PEG-6000)处理下盐生植物灰绿藜(Chenopodium glaucum L.)种子的萌发状况.结果表明:灰绿藜种子的萌发率与处理溶液的浓度或渗透势之间有显著的负相关关系;在低浓度盐溶液(2.9 g*L-1)中灰绿藜种子的萌发率高于对照(蒸馏水);NaCl溶液对灰绿藜种子萌发的抑制作用大于复合盐溶液.渗透势为-0.2和-0.5 mPa 时,PEG-6000溶液对灰绿藜种子萌发的抑制作用小于等渗NaCl溶液,而在较高渗透势溶液中则正好相反.用渗透势≤-1.8 mPa 的PEG-6000溶液及所有浓度的NaCl和复合盐溶液处理的种子复水后相对萌发率都达到了90%以上,说明一定程度的盐分和水分胁迫对灰绿藜种子萌发潜力并没有很大的影响,并且萌发恢复率随处理盐浓度或PEG-6000溶液渗透势(≤-1.4 mPa)的增加而增加.     

Evidence for the accumulation of a germination inhibitor during progressive thermoinhibition of seeds of celery (Apium graveolens L.)

The germination of seeds of celery (Apium graveolens L.) becomes progressively thermoinhibited on incubation in the dark at high temperatures, the inhibitory temperature being dependent on the cultivar used. In two high-dormancy cultivars of celery, the production of germination inhibitors in seeds incubated in the dark at 26°C gradually increased over a 7-day period. Inhibitor production was measured by incubating seeds of the low-dormancy cultivar Florida 683 in homogenates of the thermoinhibited seeds of the high-dormancy cultivars and recording germination either in the light or with the gibberellins A₄ and A₇ (GA_4/7) in the dark. Most Florida 683 seeds which failed to germinate in the homogenates after 15 days were induced to germinate by addition of N⁶-benzyladenine (BA). The presence of BA in addition to GA_4/7 throughout incubation in the dark completely overcame the inhibitory effects of homogenates. This indicates that thermoinhibition of celery seeds is associated with the accumulation of a germination inhibitor which interacts with cytokinins. This does not appear to be abscisic acid (ABA) since ABA levels in thermoinhibited seeds were lower than in untreated seeds and did not increase with duration of high temperature treatment.Abbreviations ABA Abscisic acid - BA N⁶-benzyladenine - GA_4/7 a mixture of the gibberellins A₄ and A₇ - HTP high-temperature pretreatment     

Overwintering and growth regulator treatment effects on celery (Apium graveolens L.) flowering and seed production

Celery (Apium graveolens L.) plants cv. Jason overwintered in a polythene tunnel flowered earlier and grew taller than similar plants given a 10-week cold-treatment at 5°C prior to transplanting in the same tunnel in mid-February. However, there was no significant difference in the yield of seeds obtained from both treatments, plants grown at a density of 4m^-2 yielded less seeds than those at 2m^-2, though the yield per unit area was slightly higher from the high density treatment. Treatment with 100 mgl^-1 GA₃ applied twice just prior to flowering and during anthesis increased flower stalk, flower pedicel and stamen length but delayed flower opening and seed ripening and decreased seed set and seed yield. Treatment with a mixture of 1000 mgl^-1 GA₄ and GA₇ plus 1000 mgl^-1 ethephon on three occasions during seed ripening decreased seed yield and reduced seed germination though those seeds capable of germinating were less dormant than seeds from untreated plants. The size distribution of seeds was unaffected by any treatment other than the preseeding spray with GA₃ which reduced the percentage of medium-size seeds.     

云锦杜鹃种子萌发及对干旱胁迫的响应

以不同渗透势的PEG-6000溶液模拟干旱胁迫条件, 研究云锦杜鹃种子的萌发、幼苗生长和累积吸水率对干旱胁迫的响应。结果显示：种子于第14 d开始萌发,萌发期为8 d,总萌发率为45.5%±1.7%。在渗透势为-0.3～-0.6 MPa的溶液中, 种子的累计吸水率在第5 d就超过对照(蒸馏水中), 种子的萌发和幼苗的生长也优于对照, 说明云锦杜鹃种子不适合过于湿润的土壤环境中萌发。但溶液的渗透势≥-0.9 MPa时, 种子的吸水减缓、萌发率下降, 同时幼苗的生长也慢, 而当渗透势≥-1.8 MPa时, 种子不能充分吸涨、萌发, 说明云锦杜鹃种子对干旱胁迫比较敏感。另外, 经PEG溶液浸种2天后移入蒸馏水中,萌发率均有一定程度的提高, 其中经-0.3～-1.5 MPa的PEG溶液浸种后, 萌发率显著高于对照。提示用一定浓度范围的PEG溶液浸种可使休眠种子活化, 提高种子繁育的效率。     

Comparative effects of gibberellins and an N-substituted phthalimide on seed germination and extension growth of celery (Apium graveolens L.)

The N-substituted phthalimide AC 94377 (1-(3-chlorophthalimido)-cyclohexanecarboxamide) was equally effective as a mixture of the gibberellins A₄ and A₇ (GA_4/7) in breaking dormancy and stimulating germination of celery seeds when either was used in combination with ethephon or daminozide as a seed soak. Whereas seedlings emerging from GA_4/7-treated seeds became etiolated in comparison with those from untreated seeds, those from AC 94377-treated seeds showed normal development. Preharvest sprays of gibberellic acid (GA₃) increased the height of mature plants in comparison with untreated controls by about 16 per cent whereas AC 94377 was ineffective. The yield from GA₃-treated plots was about 10 per cent greater than that from AC 94377-treated plots.     

Germination of seeds of annual and biennial celery (Apium graveolens)

Seeds of 4 annual cultivars of celery ( Apium graveolens L. No. 15, 16, 17 and 143) were able to germinate in the dark, under high temperature, in relatively high concentrations of NaCl solutions and in the presence of relatively high concentrations of the inhibitors of the biosynthesis of gibberellin, paclobutrazol and ancymidol. Seeds of two biennial cultivars [Florida and Earlibell (EB)] showed very low germinability, or failed to germinate under the same conditions. These results are discussed in terms of endogenous gibberellin levels, which may be higher in the seeds of annual cultivars as compared to biennial ones.     

Gibberellin involvement in dormancy-break and germination of seeds of celery (Apium graveolens L.)

The temperature-dependent, primary dormancy of cv. Florida 683 celery seeds in darkness was partially broken by a 30 min light exposure on the third day of incubation at 20–22°C, resulting in c 50 percent germination after 20 days. This light stimulation was negated by including different inhibitors of gibberellin biosynthesis in the incubation medium. Subsequent addition of a solution of the gibberellins A₄ and A₇ or of the gibberellin-active compound (1-3-chlorophthalimido)-cyclohexane carboxamide (AC94,377) overcame the inhibitory effects on germination of these GA-biosynthesis inhibitors. It is suggested that light stimulates the biosynthesis of gibberellins which are essential for dormancy-break in celery seeds and that this biosynthesis is either directly or indirectly controlled through phytochrome.Abbreviations AC94,377 1-(3-chlorophthalimido)-cyclohexane carboxamide; ancymidol, -cyclopropyl--(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-pyrimidinemethanol - AMO1618 N,N,N-2-tetramethyl-5-(1-methyl ethyl)-4-(1-piperidinylcarbonyl)oxy-benzenaminium chloride - BTS44584 S-2,5-dimethyl-4-pentamethylenecarbamoyloxyphenyl-SS-dimethyl sulphonium - P toluenesulphonate; chlormequat chloride, 2-chloroethyltrimethylammonium chloride; daminozide - N dimethylaminoscuccinamic acid; paclobutrazol, (2RS, 3RS)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl pentan-3-ol)     

盐胁迫对荆条、白蜡、沙枣种子萌发的影响

用不同浓度的NaCl、Na₂CO₃混合盐胁迫梯度,对荆条、白蜡和沙枣种子进行了种子萌发实验,观察了3个物种在盐胁迫下的发芽率、发芽速度和胚根生长,比较了光照和黑暗条件下3种植物种子的萌发差异。结果表明：光照对3种植物种子的萌发有明显的促进作用,但对胚根生长的影响却各不相同。低浓度混合盐溶液对荆条、白蜡种子萌发有促进作用,对沙枣有轻度抑制。当盐胁迫浓度超过0.8%,3种植物种子的萌发均受到不良影响,尤其对荆条的影响较大。3种植物均能在盐渍化生境中生长,3者均可作为园林植物在天津试验栽培。沙枣在天津塘沽地区盐碱地上进行广泛种植完全具有可行性。     

Effect of PEG-induced drought stress on seed germination of four lentil genotypes

Seeds of four lentil genotypes (Castelluccio, Eston, Pantelleria, and Ustica) were subjected to five levels (0, 10, 15, 18, and 21%) of polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000). Germination percentage, root length, tissue water content (WC), α- and β-amylases, α-glucosidase activities, and osmolyte content were evaluated at 24, 48, and 72 h after starting the germination test. Water stress reduced seed germination percentage, root length, and seedling WC in all cultivars to different extent. The increase in proline content and total soluble sugars was greater for Eston and Castelluccio compared to the other genotypes. The activity of the enzymes involved in the germination process decreased in all cultivars; the activities of α-amylase and α-glucosidase were most negatively affected by osmotic stress, mainly in the drought sensitive Ustica and Pantelleria. Overall, Eston and Castelluccio were able to express greater drought tolerance and consequently could be used as a valuable resource for breeding programs.     

A structural study of germination in celery (Apium graveolens L.) seed with emphasis on endosperm breakdown

Germination of celery seed occurred after 6 d of imbibition in light. During this time the embryo enlarged at the expense of the adjacent endosperm cells and at the time of germination was 2–3 times as long as in the dry seed. Breakdown of the endosperm cells near the root cap preceeded radicle emergence. None of these changes occurred in darkness.Endosperm digestion began adjacent to the embryo and spread radially. In degrading cells, the aleurone grains often became larger and fewer in number. The cell walls were modified and appeared to undergo partial degradation. Ultimately the cells seemed to lose their contents. In cells adjacent to the root cap, similar changes occurred except there was a transient appearance of starch grains. Radial progression of endosperm breakdown also occurred in isolated endosperm treated with gibberellin A₄₊₇.The results indicate that (1) the stimulus for breakdown of celery endosperm emanates from the embryo in response to light; (2) the stimulus may be a gibberellin because changes in endosperm cells and the sequence of endosperm digestion during germination resemble the responses of isolated endosperm to gibberellin; and (3) the radial progression of endosperm breakdown during germination may be the result of a sequential response of cells to a uniformly applied stimulus rather than the result of gradual embryo expansion.