Participation of GA3, ethylene, NO and HCN in germination of Amaranthus retroflexus L. seeds with various dormancy levels

Abstract

Amaranthus retroflexus seeds were dormant at 25 °C in the darkness and in the light, and also at 35 °C in the darkness. GA3 and ethylene partially removed dormancy at 35 °C in the darkness and at 25 °C in the light. Dormancy was removed by 1–5 days of treatment with nitric oxide or cyanide. The effect of NO and HCN was inhibited by cPTIO, thus the effect of HCN was NO dependent. Dry storage for 16 weeks could partially release dormancy only at 35 °C, but not at 25 °C. Dry storage increased the response to light, GA3 and ethylene. The response to GA3 and ethylene at 25 °C was enhanced with increasing storage temperature. GA3, ethylene and nitric oxide could substitute dry storage and stratification in partially dormant seeds.