Some Characteristics of the Water-sensitive Process in the Inhibition of Germination by Water Stress

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Abstract
Brassica oleracea var. italica seeds transferred from PEG (polyethylene glycol) solutions to water increased in moisture content, but this was completely reversible unless radicle growth was visible. The continuing growth and water uptake of germinated seeds in PEG solution confirms that cell elongation itself is less water-stress-sensitive than the initiation of cell elongation and the rapidity with which germination was prevented on transfer of seeds back to PEG solution suggests that the water-stress-sensitive stage of the initiation process occurs very shortly before growth commences. The data support the hypothesis that, in germination, there may be separate metabolic control of the initiation of cell elongation and elongation itself, that the former is more sensitive to water stress than the latter and that osmotica might inhibit germination via an effect on the cell membrane.

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