Changes in the Strength of Lettuce Endosperm during Germination

The forces required to puncture intact lettuce (Lactuca sativa) seed and pericarp, endosperm and embryo were measured by the Instron Universal Testing Machine. It required about 0.6 newton to puncture the endosperm in seeds imbibed in the dark at 6, 12 and 24 hours. Endosperm of seeds imbibed in the light or in dark with gibberellic acid required about 4.2 newtons at 6 and at 12 hours and only about 0.15 newton at 24 hours. Forces required to puncture embryo at all treatments and times remained constant at about 0.3 newton. Changes in the strength of the endosperm do not appear to be related directly to protrusion of the radicle.