THE GERMINATION OF SEEDS OF MELILOTUS ALBA

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Abstract
The contents of coumarin and coumarinic acid β-glucoside in germinating seeds of Melilotus alba, Arctic variety, have been measured. Non-germinating seeds were found to possess a large amount of free coumarin while in rapidly germinating seeds coumarinic acid β-glucoside was more prevalent. Coumarin and coumarinic acid β-glucoside have been examined as inhibitors of germination of M. alba seeds, the latter compound being much less efficient in this respect. Neither compound caused permanent inhibition of germination but only delayed the visible recognition of germination, this being because of the ability of the seeds to metabolize coumarin.