Light effects upon dry lettuce seeds

Germination of certain dry "seeds" (achenes) of Lactuca sativa L. cv. Grand Rapids was increased to ca. 75% after irradiation with 665 nm red light (R; 1x10(3) J m(-2)); this response was eliminated by far-red light (FR) following the R. The response of dry seeds required an order of magnitude more light than that of wetted seeds, and was not maximal until 48 h after irradiation. Other seeds, which could not be stimulated by R in dry state, showed a partial response after 10 min hydration. Irradiation of dry seeds (or seeds wetted 1 h) with FR (1x10(3) J m(-2)) reduced dark germination from 26% to 2%. Seeds dehydrated in an oven (60°C, 90 min) showed a decrease in germination if irradiated with R (1x10(5) J m(-2)) before wetting. The results show that phytochrome is present in dry lettuce seeds (and functional in some seed lots) prior to wetting; and that in other seed lots the molecule becomes functional within minutes after wetting the seeds. Transformation of the FR absorbing from of phytochrome (PFR) to the inactive from (PR) occurs at lower seed moisture content than the reverse reaction. It appears that dormancy in seeds ripened in sunlight might be assured during seed drying and maturation by the more effective transformation of PFR to PR than vice versa as phytochrome is dehydrated.