Abstract
Amaranthus caudatus L. seed germination was studied under different levels of water deficit induced by PEG 6000 in laboratory conditions. PEG at osmotic potentials -0.2 to -0.3 MPa at 24°C in darkness delayed germination and reduced final germination percentage. PEG solutions at osmotic potential lower than -0.3 MPa almost totally blocked seed germination. Ethephon was much more effective than GA₃ in reversing PEG-caused inhibition of A. caudatus seed germination. PEG decreased α-amylase activity after 14 h incubation. It decreased β-amylase activity after 14 and 20 h, and caused an increase in total dehydrogenase activity only after 20 h of incubation. Unlike GA₃, ethephon increased α-amylase activity in seeds after 12 and 14 h of incubation under water deficit. After 20 h of incubation there was no difference in α-amylase activity in any of the treatments. Neither ethephon nor GA₃ affected the activity of β-amylase and dehydrogenase.
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