The Germination of Carrot (Daucus carota L.) Seed Harvested on Two Dates: A Physiological and Biochemical Study

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Abstract
The germination of two batches of carrot seed, harvested 44 and 104 d after anthesis, was compared at 10 °C. Protein and nucleic acid contents of the seeds were measured at intervals, together with fresh weight and respiration rate. The mature seed germinated 3.7 d earlier than the immature seed, with no difference in percentage germination. The dry mature seed contained more protein and nucleic acid per unit dry matter than did the immature seed, and proportions of nucleic acid present as rRNA and poly(A)RNA were greater in the mature seed. The sequence of metabolic reactivation was the same in both batches of seed, as were the relative rates of increase of each nucleic acid component, fresh weight, and respiration rate. Differences in the composition of the dry seed appear to be responsible for the observed difference in rate of germination between the two seed batches.