STUDIES IN BARLEY AND MALT XV. GROWTH SUBSTANCES AND OTHER COMPOUNDS IN RELATION TO DORMANCY IN BARLEY

Abstract

Kinetin (6-furfurylaminopurine), individual analogues thereof, and gibberellic acid each stimulate the germination of dormant barley under defined conditions. These substances give synergistic effects with hydrogen sulphide, itself shown in earlier work to be stimulating in this connection. Low concentrations of either gibberellic acid or kinetin increase the rate of germination of non-dormant dehusked barley grains, though when the grains are still dormant after decortication the former substance is considerably the more effective in promoting germination. It is concluded that gibberellic acid and kinetin both act directly on the embryo though at different stages in growth. Their activities and that of hydrogen sulphide in fact relate to three different factors concerned in dormancy in barley.