The Use of Activated Oat Seeds in the Study of Winter-Hardiness

Abstract

1. Use has been made of activated oat seeds (activation of enzyme systems by soaking in running water at specified temperatures) for the study of winter-hardiness. 2. Activated seeds of winter-hardy and nonwinter-hardy oats reacted to freezing in a manner similar to seedlings or older plants of the respective varieties, as reported for field trials. 3. The temperature of the water in which seeds were soaked prior to freezing determined the percentage of survival. For every 10⚬ C. rise in soaking temperature, there was approximately one-half reduction in survival (Q10 = 2). 4. Attempts were made to isolate cold-resistant plants in the laboratory from millions of activated seeds by freezing them at -18⚬ to -30⚬ C. Certain plants were isolated in connection with these studies that showed unusual characteristics, including (a) great extension of the life-span and (b) greatly increased bud development and tendency toward tillering.