The Activity of Organic Acids as Germination Inhibitors and its Relation to pH

Abstract

The germination inhibitory activity of organic acids related to coumarin was investigated. The activity was found to be unrelated to the nature of the side chain carrying the carboxyl group. Little or no relation between structure and activity existed. pH was found to be of secondary importance on the activity of the acids. Synergism between buffers and the acids exists in some cases. Moreover, the use of buffers in studying germination inhibition was found to be unnecessary, due to the powerful buffering action of the seeds, and impermissible due to very marked secondary effects of the buffers themselves and their effect on germination.