THE EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE ON THE GERMINATION AND RADICLE GROWTH OF PHOTOSENSITIVE LETTUCE SEED

1. The time course of germination of Grand Rapids lettuce seedshas heen followed with different combinations of temperature(3°–35°) and irradiation (red or far-red light).For each set of conditions the following three parameters weredetermined: (i) the time required for half maximum germination,(ii) the rate of germination during the actively germinatingphase, and (iii) the maximum germination attained. In general,as the temperature was lowered, with dark-imbibed seeds, (i)became longer, (ii) became lower, but (iii) became progressivelyhigher. The effect of red light at any temperature was to shorten(i) and increase (ii) and (iii) over the values dark controls.Far-red light exerted an effect opposite to that of red light.Temperatures higher than 25° inhibited (ii) and (iii) underany light conditions. The optimum temperature to the actionof red and far-red light is 25°, at which the stimulatoryeffect of red light and the inhibition of this effect by far-redlight are both maximal. 2. The growth of the radicles of de-coated seeds of Grand Rapidslettuce shows two phases at all temperatures studied. PhaseI is characterized by slow but linear growth which continuesuntil shortly after visible differentiation of the radicle intothe hypocotyl and the root. Phase II is a phase of active growthin which the total length reflects mainly the length of theroot. The optimum temperature for Phase I is 25°-35°,and that, for Phase II is 25°. In neither phase, and atnone of the temperatures studied, is there any effect of redor far-red radiation on the growth of the radicle. The firstvisible sign of radicle elongation in red light induced seeds,however, takes place at exactly the same time as that of germination. 3. Similarities and dissimilarities between the germinationand the growth are pointed out, and it is concluded that thetwo phenomena are different, but proceed at sites closely associatedin the embryo. ¹Present address: Johnson Foundation for Medical Physics, Universityof Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.A.     

INTERACTION OF TEMPERATURE AND GIBBERELLIN ON POTATO SEED GERMINATION

Recently harvested true seed of potato frequently requires several months for complete germination. Gibberellic acid (GA₃) has a pronounced effect on seed germination, but this effect is influenced by temperature. As the temperature approaches 80 F, germination decreases considerably irrespective of GA₃ treatment. Potato seed germination is also favored by low temperature, but constant low temperature alone does not insure complete germination of dormant seeds. More than 95% germination of dormant seeds can be obtained within a week either by application of GA₃ at low temperature or by diurnal alternation of temperature. A possible mechanism for control of seed germination is discussed.     

EFFECTS OF BURIAL BY SAND ON SEED GERMINATION AND SEEDLING EMERGENCE OF FOUR DUNE SPECIES

On the beach strand, seedlings of Cakile edentula, Elymus canadensis, and Corispermum hyssopifolium emerged from mean depths of 3.4, 3.5 and 3.0 cm, respectively. The frequency distribution of the depth of seedling emergence was 1) significantly leptokurtic for C. edentula and slightly platykurtic (not significant) for C. hyssopifolium and E. canadensis, and 2) significantly skewed to the right for C. edentula and E. canadensis but not for C. hyssopifolium. The total germination was not influenced by the burial of seeds at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 cm depths except in Ammophila breviligulata in which the germination decreased with increasing depth of burial. The rate of emergence and total emergence decreased with increased sowing depth for all four plant species. Species with larger seeds emerged from deeper burial treatments than those with small seeds. The order of ED₅₀ (the planting depth from which 50% of the seedlings emerged) and ED_max (the maximum depth from which a seedling emerged) was C. edentula (upper seeds) > E. canadensis > C. edentula (lower seeds) ≖ C. hyssopifolium > A. breviligulata and it coincided with weight per seed.     

THE EFFECT OF THE INTERACTION OF TEMPERATURE WITH AFTER-RIPENING REQUIREMENT AND COMPENSATING TEMPERATURE ON GERMINATION OF SEED OF FIVE SPECIES OF ROSA

Seeds of 5 rose species, Rosa multiflora Thunb. ‘Cathayensis,’ R. × reversa Waldst. & Kit., R. setigera Michx. ‘Beltsville,’ R. setigera Michx. ‘Serena,’ and R. wichuraiana Crepin, varied in after-ripening requirement from 30 days at 4.4 C for R. multiflora to 90 days for R. setigera ‘Serena.’ The compensating temperature varied from near 12.8 C for R. × reversa to a value near 29.4 C for R. setigera ‘Beltsville.’ In this report compensating temperature is used to describe that temperature at which mature, moist seed does not germinate, after-ripening does not take place, and dormancy does not change. Seed germination was reduced by interruption of the after-ripening period with intervals at temperatures above the compensating temperature. The interruptions were more effective in reducing germination when more frequent and when the temperature during the interval was higher. Species differed in their sensitivity to high-temperature reduction of germination. Those having the longest after-ripening requirement were most sensitive. Germination of seeds which had the minimum after-ripening treatment was repressed more by high temperature than germination of those seeds which had an excess of after-ripening. The decrease in germination resulted from imposition of a secondary dormancy of the embryo, and probably also from reversal of the after-ripening effect upon the primary dormancy imposed by the seed coat.     

WATER POTENTIAL,TEMPERATURE, AND KINETIN EFFECTS ON SEED GERMINATION IN SOIL AND SOLUTE SYSTEMS

Germination of lettuce and wheat in soil is reduced by a decrease in water potential, but a significant temperature-water potential interaction exists for lettuce. At 35 C kinetin permits lettuce germination at 0 and —1.1 bars, and at 25 C and 15 C it enhances germination at lower water potentials, causing 30% germination at —8.0 bars. Wheat germinates well at —8.0 bars, but no germination occurs at —14.9 bars; temperature had little effect on wheat germination. Germination in soil and solute systems was compared to determine the usefulness of solute germination data for predicting germination in dry soil. Total germination of lettuce in polyethylene glycol-6000 may approximate total germination in soil at the same water potential, but germination rates differ widely for the two systems. Kinetin-treated lettuce seeds nearly completed germination in two days in polyethylene glycol solutions, but five days were required for similar germination percentages in the soil. Sucrose is not useful for simulating soil water stress; wheat seeds germinate at —14.9 bars in sucrose but fail to germinate in soil at the same potential, and germination is more rapid in sucrose than in the soil.     

GERMINATION AND GROWTH OF BIRD-DISPERSED PLANTS: EFFECTS OF SEED SIZE AND LIGHT ON SEEDLING VIGOR AND BIOMASS ALLOCATION

I examined germination and seedling growth in nine species of fleshy-fruited plants from Washington and Idaho to assess their relative responses to sun and shade. I allowed seeds to germinate over a period of 500 days, and grew the seedlings in a greenhouse for 35 days prior to harvest. Cumulative percentage germination of six species approximated logistic curves. Species with larger seeds were more shade-tolerant, which resulted largely from greater biomass allocation to roots by these species. Seedlings of Rosa gymnocarpa, Sorbus scopulina, Symphoricarpos albus, Clintonia uniflora, and Streptopus amplexifolius grew larger in open sun than in shade (35% open sun), whereas those of Actaea rubra, Disporum trachycarpum, Smilacina racemosa, and Smilacina stellata showed no differences. Percentage root biomass was higher in sun than in shade for R. gymnocarpa, S. scopulina, S. albus, C. uniflora, and S. amplexifolius, but lower for S. stellata. In C. uniflora, S. racemosa, and S. stellata, seeds from unripe fruits failed to germinate. The results suggest that light gaps resulting from periodic disturbance of canopy influence recruitment of bird-dispersed species differentially and thereby contribute to maintaining high species richness and diversity in understories of temperate coniferous forests.     

温湿度对越冬异色瓢虫(Harmonia axyridis)存活的影响

为了明确温度和相对湿度对越冬异色瓢虫存活的影响,采用二次正交旋转组合设计,试验了秋冬季收集的异色瓢虫自然种群在不同温湿度组合下,经不同时间后的存活率和存活时间。结果表明,在试验条件下最佳温湿度组合为０℃,ＲＨ７５％。此条件下处理６个月以上时存活率仍达８０％以上,存活时间近９ｄ;温度对异色瓢虫的存活影响最大,湿度次之,温湿度的交互作用最不重要;由试验结果建立了不同处理时间下,温湿度与存活率和存活时间之间关系的一系列二次回归方程。对方程分析表明：０～４℃为异色瓢虫越冬的适宜温度,小于０℃的低温引起存活率下降和存活时间缩短,ＲＨ７０％～８０％为异色瓢虫越冬的适宜湿度,低于ＲＨ６０％和高于ＲＨ９０％不利于存活;处理后的异色瓢虫的存活率和存活时间随着处理时间的延长而减小。但处理时间为６个月以内时,存活率的下降幅度较小     

溶氧、pH及其他理化因子对蓖齿眼子菜种子萌发的影响

研究了溶氧、pH、光强、冷处理、温度、营养以及激素处理等条件对蓖齿眼子菜种子萌发的影响。结果表明:溶氧对种子的最终萌发率有影响,缺氧条件下比正常条件和氧饱和条件下的萌发率高,但缺氧条件下萌发的幼苗为白化苗,不能正常生长发育;光照和pH对种子萌发的影响不显著。4℃冷处理能够使种子萌发时间提前和提高种子的萌发率;在15—27℃之间,提高温度能够加快种子的萌发速度,但温度过高则萌发率降低,在15℃、20℃和27℃下的最终萌发率分别为90.0%、90.0%和56.7%;不同的营养水平对种子萌发影响不显著。生长素NAA(0.1—5.0mg/L)、细胞分裂素6-BA(0.1—5.0mg/L)、赤霉素GA3(0.1—5.0 mg/L)不能加快蓖齿眼子菜种子萌发的速度和提高萌发率。     

EFFECT OF STRATIFICATION TEMPERATURE AND GERMINATION TEMPERATURE ON GERMINATION AND THE INDUCTION OF SECONDARY DORMANCY IN COMMON RAGWEED SEEDS

Stratification of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) seeds at 4 C was most successful for breaking dormancy, whereas -5 C was least effective and 10 C was intermediate. Germination in the light exceeded that in the dark at all stratification and germination temperatures. The optimum temperatures for germination in the light were 10/20, 15/25, and 20/30. Maximum germination in the dark occurred at 20/30 C for seeds stratified at 4 and 10 C but the optimum temperatures for seeds stratified at -5 C were 10/20, 15/25, and 20/30. Seeds stratified at -5 and 10 C germinated best after 15 weeks of stratification, whereas 12 weeks of stratification at 4 C resulted in maximum germination. Secondary dormancy was induced in seeds which did not germinate in the dark. This was affected by stratification temperature and duration and germination temperature. The ecological significance of these germination characteristics is discussed.     

MOISTURE AND TEMPERATURE IN RELATION TO SEED STRUCTURE AND GERMINATION OF SUGAR PINE (PINUS LAMBERTIANA DOUGL.)

The typical, irregular, delayed germination of sugar pine seeds was studied under different conditions of environment and seed dissection. Individual seeds showed a 3-phase pattern of water uptake which was obscured when average values for groups of seeds were used. Stratification at 5 C slowed the rate of imbibition as well as the growth rate, but when followed after 3 months by return to 20 C, germination was uniformly rapid. Complete removal of the seed coats yielded prompt germination without stratification. The thin layer of the inner coat was a critical factor. Slitting this layer indicated less significance for gas exchange or mechanical restraint than for a restriction upon the rate of water uptake. Regardless of the method of seed treatment, the visible stages of germination consistently occurred within well-defined levels of water uptake. The delicate balance between water entry and use as well as the internal distribution of water within seed components should be evaluated, rather than a mere expression of the total amount of water in a seed.     

EMS和^60Co对海甘蓝种子萌发及其M1代农艺性状的影响

用ＥＭＳ及＾６０Ｃｏ处理海甘蓝种子,对其萌发种子细胞内呼吸代谢有明显的影响。低浓度的ＥＭＳ或低剂量的＾６０Ｃｏ刺激呼吸,可提高抗坏血酸氧化酶和过氧化物酶的活性,促进种子的萌发和幼苗的生长。较高剂量的ＥＭＳ和＾６０Ｃｏ抑制呼吸,与之有关的抗坏血酸氧化酶和过氧化物酶的活性,种子发芽势和发芽率、幼苗生长高度和根系活力等随之下降,用不同剂量的ＥＭＳ和＾６０Ｃｏ处理海甘蓝种子,对Ｍ１代的产量和抗病性等有一定     

EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON GERMINATION OF RHIZOCLONIUM RIPARIUM (SIPHONOCLADALES,CHLOROPHYTA) AKINETES AND ZOOSPORES1

The temperature requirements for germination by reproductive initials of Rhizoclonium riparium (Roth) Harv., a filamentous green alga, were investigated in laboratory culture. Akinetes and zoospores were produced by exposing aging cultures to high temperatures (40°C). Germination proceeded rapidly and followed a typical bell-shaped response curve, with germination optima between 15 and 20°C. These findings follow the trend found in related algae, i.e. reproductive initials are produced under stressful conditions.     

OBSERVATIONS ON THE SURVIVAL AND GERMINATION OF RESTING SPORES OF THREE CHAETOCEROS (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE) SPECIES1,2

Resting spores (hypnospores) of Chaetoceros diadema (Ehrenberg) Gran, Chaetoceros vanheurckii Gran, and Chaetoceros didymus Ehrenberg were collected from a large plastic enclosure moored in Saanich Inlet, B.C., Canada. The effects of combinations of temperature and irradiance on the germination of these resting spores were investigated. Nutrient uptake, carbon fixation, and changes in the photosynthetic capacity of the germinating spores were also examined. Resting spores germinated optimally at combinations of temperature and irradiance similar to those in the environment during sporulation. They did not germinate at irradiances 1.3 μEin m^?2 s^?1 or temperatures >25.3° C. Nitrate, phosphate and silicate were taken up after the resting spores had germinated and resumed vegetative growth. Chlorophyll a fluorescence in vivo, and the DCMU-induced increase in in vivo fluorescence also increased after the resting spores had germinated. Resting spores began to fix carbon as soon as they were placed in light. Spores remained viable for at least 645 d. The length of time between first exposure to light and germination did not change during this period; however, the percentage of viable resting spores decreased markedly. None of the Chaetoceros spores germinated after 737 d of storage at 2–4° C in darkness.