Early Actions of Gibberellic Acid on the Embryo and on the Endosperm of Avena fatua Seeds

Abstract

Gibberellic acid at 0.1 {micro}M stimulates amylase synthesis in dormant Avena fatua seeds without inducing germination; at 0.5 mM it enhances biosynthesis of proteins and RNA in both the embryo and the endosperm and utilization of the endosperm sugars by the embryo. These events occur in early hours (0-14th hour) and prior to germination, which begins 24 hours after gibberellic acid application. These observations are in agreemeent with the concept that in cereal grains gibberellic acid has two morphological sites of actions: the embryo and the endosperm, and that germination (radicle protrusion) is not caused by gibberellic acid-induced amylase synthesis in the endosperm.