A GERMINATION INHIBITOR IN THE SEED COATS OF CERTAIN VARIETIES OF CABBAGE

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Abstract
Freshly harvested seed of selection 1339-1-5 made by C. H. Myers, from Wisconsin Hollander, and strains of Glory cabbage exhibit a pronounced dormancy and uneven germination, thus requiring 2 yrs. for the breeding cycle. Dormancy gradually disappears during several weeks of air-dry storage at room temperature. By means of embryo culture techniques with intact seed, seed with the seed coats split to allow gas exchange, and completely excised embryos, it was shown that the fresh seed coats inhibited germination otherwise than by restricting gas exchange. Seed coats of freshly harvested, air-dried seed, however, may partially restrict gas exchange. The water-soluble fraction of alcoholic extracts from the seed coats of partially dormant seed, when applied to seed of the same lot, retarded germination, thus indicating the presence of a germination inhibitor. A practical method of breaking this dormant condition consists of soaking the dry seed for 1 min. in cold conc. H2SO4 (4[degree]C), allowing the excess acid to drain for 1 min., washing thoroughly in cold running tap water, and then soaking in an excess of tap water for several hrs. prior to planting.

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