Dual action of respiratory inhibitors: inhibition of germination and prevention of dormancy induction in lettuce seeds.

;Grand Rapids' lettuce Lactuca sativa L. seeds germinate readily at 15 degrees C but poorly at 25 degrees C in darkness. When held in dark at 25 degrees C for an extended period, the ungerminated seeds become dormant as shown by their inability to germinate or transfer to 15 degrees C in darkness. Induction of dormancy at 25 degrees C was prevented by exposure to CN(-), azide, salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM), dinitrophenol, and pure N(2) as determined by subsequent germination at 15 degrees C on removal of inhibitors. The effectiveness of inhibitors to break dormancy declined as dormancy intensified. At relatively low levels, CN(-), SHAM, and azide promoted dark germination at 25 degrees C while at high levels they were inhibitory. Uptake of O(2) by seeds held at 25 degrees C for 4 days in 1.0 millimolar KCN was inhibited by 67% but was promoted 61% when KCN was removed. Correspondingly greater inhibition (79%) and promotion (148%) occurred when 1.0 millimolar SHAM was added to KCN solution. When applied alone, SHAM had little effect on O(2) uptake. These data indicate that Cyt pathway of respiration plays a dominant role in the control of both dormancy induction and germination of lettuce seeds, and ;alternative pathway' is effectively engaged in presence of CN(-). The channeling of respiratory energy use for processes governing germination or dormancy is subject to control by physical and chemical factors.A scheme is proposed that illustrates compensatory use of energy for processes controlling dormancy induction and germination. A block of germination, e.g. by low water potential polyethylene glycol solution or a supraoptimal temperature spares energy to be utilized for dormancy induction while a block of dormancy induction by low levels of CN(-) (similar to GA and light effects) drives germination. Blocking both processes by inhibitors (e.g. CN(-), CN(-) + SHAM) presumably leads to accumulation of ;reducing power' with consequent improvement in O(2) uptake and oxidation rates of processes controlling germination or dormancy induction upon removal of the inhibitors.