Cytological Studies in Saccharum and Allied Genera VII. Maternal Chromosome Transmission by S. officinarum in Intra- and Interspecific Crosses

Abstract

1. Seeds of Carica papaya L., Line-8 Solo, germinated earlier and gave a higher percentage of germination when the sarcotestae were removed. 2. Seeds lacking sarcotestae and washed with tap water for 24 hours gave higher germination than did similarly treated seeds with intact sarcotestae. 3. In the presence of charcoal, seeds without sarcotestae gave higher germination than did those with sarcotestae intact. 4. Seeds soaked in juice from fresh papaya-fruit flesh or in the leachate from seeds germinated poorly. 5. The presence of the sarcotesta on a seed resulted in a lessening of the stimulating effect of GA and of the inhibiting effect of either IAA or SNA.