WATER‐SENSITIVITY IN BARLEY I. RESPIRATION STUDIES AND THE INFLUENCE OF OXYGEN AVAILABILITY

Abstract

The respiration of water‐sensitive and non water‐sensitive barley has been investigated; it is shown that there is no significant difference in the rate of oxygen consumption by the two types of barley. The presence of a husk and a surface film of water are shown to reduce the oxygen uptake in both types of barley. The embryos of water‐sensitive barleys germinate to a lesser degree than those of fully mature barleys at low oxygen tension. Water‐sensitivity thus appears to be a reflection of a higher oxygen requirement for germination by the embryo. 1969 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling