PHYSIOLOGY OF LIGHT-REQUIRING GERMINATION IN ERAGROSTIS SEEDS

The photorequirement for the germination of Eragrostis seedsdecreases with the progress of their after-ripening, and thegermination occurs whether in continuous light or in darknessat the final stage of after-ripening. The dehydration of seedsor the puncturing of seed coats also results in a decrease ofphotorequirement for germination. The rate of water absorptionof seeds increases with the germination capacity under continuousdark condition. However, there is no correlation between therespiration rate and the germination capacity; respiration isstimulated in the punctured seeds, but not in the after-ripenedseeds. The after-ripened or punctured seeds which no longer have aphotorequirement become light-sensitive again, when they areallowed to germinate in the air of low oxygen concentrations.The assumption is presented that the permeability to oxygenof the seed coat may be a factor controlling the seed germinationof this species. (Received August 21, 1964; )