Far-red Sensitive Dark Processes Essential for Light- and Gibberellin-induced Germination of Lettuce Seed

The action of prolonged far-red on seed germination was studied in Lactuca sativa L. var. Grand Rapids. Exposure of imbibed seeds to 6 hours far-red before the application of gibberellic acid (GA₃) and thiourea completely prevented germination. Using GA₃, this far-red was effective after the sixth hour of imbibition. At 6, 12, and 18 hours of imbibition equal durations of far-red had equal effects. The kinetics of far-red action was investigated: it was found that although far-red for several hours, irrespective of the energy level, was needed for maximum inhibition, shorter durations (15 and 30 mins) were also appreciably effective provided they were followed by several hours darkness before the supply of GA₃. This is taken to indicate the existence of labile product(s) of the action of a far-red sensitive pigment. Evidence is provided for the existence of promotive dark processes controlled by this pigment, which are essential for germination whether triggered by GA₃, thiourea or red-light. A model for the operation of the pigment system is proposed and its role in the germination mechanism of this seed is discussed.