24. Changes of germination and ABA levels in Orobanche seed under conditions of stress

Abstract

With the increase of conditioning periods (7,14,21,28 days) and the decrease of osmotic potentials (0,-10,-20 bars), the germination rate of O. ramosa seeds decreased progressively. Similar results were found in O. aegyptiaca seeds, but O. minor seeds were more tolerant to stress. ABA contents in Orobanche seeds decreased remarkably after conditioned in water and -10 and -20 bars. After that, ABA levels kept relatively low until conditioned for 37 days. No clear difference in ABA levels was observed among various stress treatments.