Studies on the Dormancy-Awakening and-Breaking in the Two-Rowed Barley Seed : IV. Variations among the early assay of the viability of different dormant seeds by dormancy breaking with a dilute solution of hydrogen peroxide

Abstract

The conditions of dilute hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) solution treated on the dormancy breaking of two-rowed barley seeds soon after harvested was examined, on the varieties of Azumagoruden (light), Seijyou NO. 17 medium), and Satsukinijyou (deep dormancy). Dormancy breaking treatments were undertaken with H₂O₂ at concentrations of 0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.093 and soaking periods of 0, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours. Also, the temperature conditions of soaking and germination period were 10°, 20°and 25°C. As the degree of dormancy increased higher concentrations of the H₂O₂ solution and longer soaking periods were required. The optimum conditions were Azumagoruden : H₂O₂ 0.5% and 12 hours, Seijyou No. 17 : H₂O₂ 1% and 24 hours, and Satsukinijyou : H₂O₂ 2% and 36 hours, respectively. When the degree of dormancy was high, the dormancy breaking procedure was more effective as the temperature of seed soaking was low : Azumagoruden ; 25°C, Seijyou No. 17 ; 20°C, and Satsukinijyou ; 10°C. The viability of two-rowed barley seeds by the dormancy breaking with dilute solution of H₂O₂ may be assayed within 3 days.