Ribonucleic acid as an inducer of germination inhibition in Aegilops Kotschyi

Application of RNase or GA to dormant caryopses of AegilopsKotschyi accelerates normal hydrolysis of RNA during the firsthours of germination and also improves germination percentages.Glume extract of this species, known to have an inhibitory effecton germination, retards hydrolysis of RNA to some extent. Furthermore,Rifamycin, an inhibitor of RNA-polymerase, did not effect germination,although it inhibited later stages of seedling growth. The possibilityis discussed that dormant caryopses of Aegilops Kotschyi containa specific RNA fraction which is responsible for dormancy andthat the triggering of germination is dependent upon its degradation. ¹ This research was financed in part by a grant from the ResearchCouncil of Bar Ilan University. (Received August 8, 1970; )