Changes in Respiratory Potential of Dormant and Non-dormant Galium aparine L. (cleavers) Seeds during Dry Storage

Abstract

Hilton, J. R. and Thomas, J. A. 1987. Changes in respiratory potential of dormant and non-dormant Galium aparine L. (cleavers) seeds during dry storage.—J. exp. Bot. 38: 1484-1490. Pre-germinative rates of 02 uptake of two collections of Galium aparine L. seed were compared throughout a 9 month period of dry storage at 4°C, 23 °C and at ambient (frost-protected) temperatures. Uptake of O2 by the dormant seeds was generally higher than that of the less dormant seeds except when freshly-harvested. Moreover, changes in the 02 consumption of seeds stored at ambient temperatures could be associated with periods of germination and seedling emergence in the field. The results are discussed in relation to changes in respiratory metabolism during dormancy breakage.