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Science 23 September 1966:
Vol. 153. no. 3743, pp. 1537 - 1539
DOI: 10.1126/science.153.3743.1537
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Articles

Nature of Seed Dormancy in Phacelia tanacetifolia

Shepley S. C. Chen 1 and Kenneth V. Thimann 2

1 MSU/AEC Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing
2 University of California, Santa Cruz

The inhibiting effect of light on germination of Phacelia tanacetifolia seed is overcome by removing the tip of the endosperm; however, immersion in solutions of high osmotic pressure reinstates the light sensitivity. Inhibition of germination by high temperature behaves similarly. Dormancy is ascribed to balance between mechanical constraint by the endosperm and "expansive force" of the embryo.

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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)