Interaction of Carbon Dioxide and Ethylene in Overcoming Thermodormancy of Lettuce Seeds

Abstract
The combination of ethylene with CO(2) will completely overcome the thermodormancy of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) seeds at 35 C. This combination is effective if it is added to seeds either at the start or after several days of imbibition. The action of ethylene is dependent upon the CO(2) level present in the atmosphere surrounding the seeds. When CO(2) is trapped by KOH the ethylene effect is essentially nil.