Abstract
The respiration of water-sensitive and non water-sensitive barley has been investigated; it is shown that there is no significant difference in the rate of oxygen consumption by the two types of barley. The presence of a husk and a surface film of water are shown to reduce the oxygen uptake in both types of barley. The embryos of water-sensitive barleys germinate to a lesser degree than those of fully mature barleys at low oxygen tension. Water-sensitivity thus appears to be a reflection of a higher oxygen requirement for germination by the embryo.

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