1978 Volume 47 Issue 1 Pages 25-30
This investigation was conducted to make clear the physiological properties of dormant Bupleurum falcatum seeds with an emphasis upon the metabolism of respiration. The results obtained are as follows;
1. The rate of water absorption in dormant and non-dormant Bupleurum falcatum seeds showed the same tendency, however at 15°C the absorption rate in dormant seeds was rather higher than non-dormant ones. It seems possible, therefore, that the mechanism of dormancy in Bupleurum falcatum seeds was not due to water absorption in seeds.
2. In the case of dormant seeds, the absorption of oxyge in dry seeds was high as compared with those non-dormant ones, at the same time the respiratory quotient was lower in dormant seeds.
It may be suggested that the seed coats act as an absorbing layer of oxygen and thereby help to maintain low oxygen tension within the seeds, thus inhibiting germination.
On the other hand, the respiratory rate of germinated Bupleurum falcatum seeds was much higher than non-germinated ones, while the respiratory quotient in non-germinated seeds was lower than germinated ones.
3. Under low oxygen tension, non-dormant seeds usually produced more amount of ethyl alcohol than dormant seeds.
While the formation of ethyl alcohol in non-dormant seeds under high oxygen tension was lower than it dormant seeds.
From the facts, it might be possible to consider that non-dormant Bupleurum falcatum seeds had the control of respiratory pathway under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions.
4. The absorption of oxygen by dormant seeds soaked in water was much higher than that of non-dormant ones.
5. The germination of dormant Bupleurum falcatum seeds was stimulated with hydrogen peroxide treated at the concentration of 0.3 percent, and the hydrogen peroxide treated seeds showed respiratory rate same to the germinated ones.
