Dormancy studies in seed of Avena fatua. 8. Genetic diversity affecting response to temperature

Abstract

Experiments are reported which demonstrate the interaction of temperature with genotype in controlling germination in wild oats. In some pure lines germination of newly matured seeds occurs at all temperatures in the range 4–32 °C. Other pure lines exhibit strong suppression of germination in the midportion of this temperature range. The possible adaptive significance of this dimorphism in nature is discussed.