THE CONTROL OF FOOD MOBILIZATION IN SEEDS OF DICOTYLEDONOUS PLANTS

Abstract

Two alternative hypotheses can be used to explain how the embryo or embryonic axis controls food mobilization in seeds of many dicotyledonous plants. The first involves the production of a hormonal stimulus by the axis which initiates the development of optimal rates of hydrolytic enzyme activity in the storage organs. The second involves the continual operation of a source‐sink relationship between the storage organs (source) and axis (sink) during germination and early seedling development. The evidence for the operation of these modes of control is discussed. 1981 The New Phytologist