Biochemical changes in Pinus pinea seeds. III. The effect of growth substances and steroidal hormones on nucleic acids.

The effects of exogenous growth factors (indolacetic acid, gibberellic acid and kinetin and steroidal hormones (estrone, estradiol and testosterone on the germination pattern of Pinus pinea seeds were studied. Nucleic acids metabolism during the stages before germination, has also been investigated. Seeds sown in the presence of all these substances, showed a higher growth rate and a higher germination degree than their respective controls; kinetin and estradiol were the most active factors. The level of total nucleic acids was studied in seeds after one day soaking and on the 1rst, 3rd, 5th, and 7th day after sowing. Megagametophytes contained a higher amount of acids when growth factors and steroidal hormones were present, specially after one day soaking. In embryos; after the 3rd day, a similar result was obtained. The RNA fraction increased the most.