Physiological studies on dormancy in seeds of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). III. Changes in auxin and growth inhibitor contents during development of the seeds of a dormant and a non-dormant cultivar

Abstract

Growth substances in developing seeds of dormant and non-dormant cultivars of groundnut were chromatographically separated, and their content at various R_F values estimated by the rice coleoptile bioassay technique.

Growth promotors increased from 20 to 30 days in the acidic and neutral fractions of the dormant and non-dormant seeds. From 30 days onwards, growth promotors decreased while inhibitors accumulated, but their relative proportions varied in the two types of seeds. In mature non-dormant seeds, the content of growth promotors in the acidic fraction was higher than that of inhibitors; in dormant seeds it was lower. In the neutral fraction the content of inhibitors was higher than that of promotors in seeds of both types. The balance of growth-promoting and inhibiting substances in relation to seed development and dormancy is discussed, and it is concluded that the acidic inhibitors are responsible for dormancy in groundnut seeds.