Effect of Penicillin on Seed Germination

Abstract

Sodium penicillins G, K, and dihydro F, were all found to be relatively inactive in inhibiting germination of radish seeds. Phenylacetic acid, indoleacetic acid, and furoic acid were active against germinating seeds. Most of the inhibiting property of therapeutic penicillin was accounted for by the indole-3-acetic acid present. The germination tests were made in Petri dishes, with the seeds on filter paper dampened with 5 ml. of soln. The penicillins used were highly purified. The nature of the stunted growth of roots caused by impurities in therapeutic penicillin and by the aromatic acids was very similar.