Respiration in dormant and non-dormant bitterbrush seeds

Authors
Citation
Dt. Booth et S. Sowa, Respiration in dormant and non-dormant bitterbrush seeds, J ARID ENV, 48(1), 2001, pp. 35-39
Citations number
12
Categorie Soggetti
Environment/Ecology
Journal title
JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS
ISSN journal
01401963 → ACNP
Volume
48
Issue
1
Year of publication
2001
Pages
35 - 39
Database
ISI
SICI code
0140-1963(200105)48:1<35:RIDANB>2.0.ZU;2-T
Abstract
Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata dc.) seed dormancy is not understood but ma y result from a metabolic block by a chemical inhibitor. To determine wheth er dormancy affects seed respiration, we compared CO2, evolution from indiv idual imbibed dormant and non-dormant seeds and from germinating seeds, usi ng Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy. We found CO2, evo lution did not differ between dormant and non-dormant seeds, and that it ac celerated with germination and growth. Our results are in agreement with ot her studies indicating that dormant seeds respire. We conclude that high re spiration rates in dormant bitterbrush seeds can decrease seedling vigor, a nd we recommend bitterbrush be sown when soil temperatures are cool enough to prevent significant losses of respiratory substrate from imbibed-dormant seeds. (C) 2001 Academic Press.