Experimental biology of ammonia-rich environments. Germination of allium seed, a novel capability among angiosperms.

Seed populations from a majority of species and cultivars of Allium yield up to 15% germination under atmospheres containing NH(3) together with equal volumes of N(2) or air. Selected onion and leek cultivars tested in a range of NH(3) or O(2) compositions show little or no dependency upon quantitative variations in these gases.Radicles from seeds germinated in ammonia displayed low frequencies of abnormal mitotic activity. Comparisons of NH(4)OH with other bases, and with salts indicated that seed behavior could not be accounted for solely by osmolar or alkaline factors.Aspects of NH(3) toxicity, tolerance and permeation were also considered.