EFFECTS OF DRY PERMEATED GIBBERELLIC-ACID AND BENZYLADENINE ON GERMINABILITY OF SOYBEAN SEEDS DURING STORAGE

Dry permeated gibberellic acid and benzyladenine enhanced the vigour o f artificially and naturally aged soybean seeds, as evident from their greater percentage germination and seedling growth. Isolated embryoni c axes from these aged seeds displayed a more or less similar trend. T he bioactive chemicals, however, failed to reverse the age-induced lea kage of UV-absorbing substances as well as that of K+, NH4+ and other electrolytes. It is therefore suggested that the amount of solute leak age, an excellent indicator of seed deterioration, is of little value in predicting the GA3- and BA-induced reversal of the effects of agein g in soybean.