Delayed germination in reed canary-grass Phalaris arundinacea L.

Abstract

Dormancy in reed canary-grass can be overcome by removing the palea from the caryopsis, by scarifying the seed, or by pricking the palea with a pin. The dormancy appears to be due to a water-soluble inhibitor which is present either in the caryopsis or the embryo.There is apparently an interaction between the inhibitor and oxygen, as the effect of the inhibitor passes off quickly under conditions of good aeration. It is possible that free oxygen may be required to act as hydrogen acceptor in an aerobic dehydrase system. Inhibitory effect of the aqueous extract is only shown in the light; when caryopses are germinated in aqueous extract of caryopses in darkness no inhibition of germination is found. The inhibitor has no effect on the germination of lettuce seed.These feature are discussed in relation to other work on seed dormancy and the means of improving germination in the field. © 1962 Oxford University Press.