Circumventing thermodormancy in lettuce

High temperature during germination can lead to thermodormancy in lettuce. Several methods to circumvent this dormancy have been proposed including re sistant germplasm, adjusting the seed production environment, the use of gr owth hormones, and seed priming. The mechanism of action for each of these methodologies appears to be related specifically to endosperm loosening whi ch arrows the embryo to grow under high temperature. Endosperm loosening ha s been associated with the induction of endo-beta-mannanase at the micropyl ar end.