Abstract
The anatomy of the brown coat and white "membrane" of cotton seeds has been studied in relation to the inhibition of germination caused by lucerne saponins. Cationic, anionic, and nonionic surfactants were found to have an effect similar to that of saponins: they inhibited cotton seed germination and decreased the diffusion of oxygen through the seed coats but did not affect the embryos. Observations carried out with the aid of the light microscope and the scanning electron microscope showed that immersion of cotton seeds in the saponin and other surfactant solutions caused more swelling of the fringe and living cell walls of the "membrane" than immersion in water. The relation between this swelling and the inhibition of oxygen permeability through the "membrane" is discussed.
Published Version
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