Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A temperature-dependent source of variability in estimates of germination behaviour of lettuce fruits

  • Published:
Planta Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Germination of fruits of Lactuca sativa L. cv. “Arctic King” showed a sharp upper temperature maximum at 31±1.0°C on an agar substrate in light. In a series of 60 tests carried out over 2 years, above, below and in the region of this maximum it was demonstrated that variability of germination counts was greater in the transition zone around this maximum. This is important when single controlled temperatures are chosen to compare effects of chemical or physical stresses on germination, where the stress causes the transition zone to shift and introduces a factor of greater variability into the results.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Cecil, R., Thomas, M. A. W.: Nature of the unreactive sulphydryl groups in human haemoglobin. Nature (Lond.) 206, 1317–1320 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fox, D. J. C., Thompson, P. A.: A thermo-gradient apparatus designed for biological investigations over controlled temperature ranges. J. exp. Bot. 22, 741–748 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodchild, N. A., Walker, M. G.: A method of measuring seed germination in physiological studies. Ann. Bot. 35, 615–621 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, T., Thompson, P.A.: Characterization of the high temperature inhibition of germination of lettuce (Lactuca sativa). Physiol. Plantarum (Cph.) 24, 544–547 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, T., Thompson, P. A.: Effect of kinetin, gibberellins and (±) abscisic acid on the germination of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Physiol. Plantarum (Cph.) 28, 516–522 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, P. A.: The characterization of the germination response to temperature of species and ecotypes. Nature (Lond.) 225, 827–831 (1970a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, P. A.: Germination of species of Caryophyllaceae in relation to their geographical distribution in Europe. Ann. Bot. 34, 427–449 (1970b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, P. A.: An analysis of the effect of alternating temperatures on germination of Lycopus europaeus L. J. exp. Bot. 21, 808–823 (1970c)

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker, M. G.: General bioassay for germination modifying factors. Ann. Bot. 35, 981–989 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, TW9 3DS, Richmond, Surrey, UK

    T. Reynolds

Authors
  1. T. Reynolds
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Reynolds, T. A temperature-dependent source of variability in estimates of germination behaviour of lettuce fruits. Planta 113, 327–332 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00387315

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00387315

Keywords

Search

Navigation