GERMINATION RESPONSE OF DORMOAT SEEDS TO LOW TEMPERATURE AND GIBBERELLIN

Abstract

Dormoats are derivatives of crosses between Avena sativa L. and A. fatua L., designed to be sown in the fall to germinate the following spring. Strains vary in levels of seed dormancy at harvest and in their rates of after-ripening in dry storage. Germination of the seeds is stimulated by gibberellic acid. Embryos isolated from dormant seeds exhibit no dormancy but their germination is prevented by abscisic acid. Low temperatures (ca. 7 C) stimulate germination to different levels in various strains. Seeds enter a secondary dormancy when they fail to germinate in the imbibed state due to primary domancy. Seeds with secondary dormancy are not stimulated to germinate by low temperatures until partial after-ripening of the seeds in the dry state has occurred, but germination is stimulated by gibberellic acid without after-ripening. Secondary dormancy is proposed as a factor in the maintenance of undergerminated seed in the soil from fall planting into winter.