Physiological studies on dormancy in seeds of groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) IV. Changes in gibberellin-like substances during the development of the seeds of a dormant and a non-dormant variety

Abstract

Summary Gibberellin — like substances in developing seeds of the non-dormant and dormant varieties of groundnut were isolated chromatographically and the content at five different Rfs was estimated by the cucumber hypocotyl bioassay technique. The content in both the types of seeds increased during the development, but the peak of gibberellin activity was observed just before the weight of the seeds reached its maximum. Factor II (Rf 0.2–0.4) and factor V (Rf 0.8–1.0) were closely associated with the development and dormancy in groundnut seeds. In general, the content of gibberellin — like substances was lower in the dormant seeds compared to the nosn-dormant ones.