Abstract: | Hilton, J. R. and Thomas, J. A. 1987. Changes in respiratorypotential of dormant and non-dormant Galium aparine L. (cleavers)seeds during dry storage.J. exp. Bot. 38: 14841490. Pre-germinative rates of O2 uptake of two collections of Galiumaparine L. seed were compared throughout a 9 month period ofdry storage at 4 °C, 23 °C and at ambient (frost-protected)temperatures. Uptake of O2 by the dormant seeds was generallyhigher than that of the less dormant seeds except when freshly-harvested.Moreover, changes in the O2 consumption of seeds stored at ambienttemperatures could be associated with periods of germinationand seedling emergence in the field. The results are discussedin relation to changes in respiratory metabolism during dormancybreakage. |