Temperature Effects on Seed Imbibition and Leakage Mediated by Viscosity and Membranes

Abstract

The possible involvement of membranes and water viscosity in the temperature effects on imbibition and solute leakage of radish (Raphauus sativa var. Early Scarlet Globe) seeds and excised sugar pine (Pinus Imbertiama Dougl.) embryos was evaluated. In these two seed materials, the temperature effect on initial rates of imbibition and solute leakage could be accounted for primarily by changes in water viscosity, the rela-tionship being approximatel linear. It appears that membranes are