Interactions of Applied Hormones in the Germination of Lepidium Virginicum Seeds

Abstract

Tests of the germination response of light sensitive Lepidium virginicum seeds to applied gibberellic acid confirmed earlier reports that gibberellic acid can substitute for red light. Further tests indicated that promotion of germination by either red light or gibberellic acid can be nullified by abscisic acid. Dark incubation of the seeds in kinetin alone resulted in only slight promotion of germination. Combinations of suboptimal gibberellic acid plus kinetin did not enhance germination to a level greater than that for kinetin alone. Optimal concentrations of gibberellic acid plus kinetin can reverse inhibition of certain abscisic acid concentrations. A comparison of these responses with those of Grand Rapids variety of lettuce seed was made.