Additive and synergistic effects of kinetin and ethrel on germination, thermodormany, and polyribosome formation in lettuce seeds.

The inhibition of germination of Grand Rapids lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) seeds at 35 C was removed to a marked extent by kinetin and 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (ethrel). When both compounds were used together, an additive effect was observed. A synergistic effect was, however, noted when ethrel promoted the kinetin reversal of abscisic acid inhibition of seed germination (light- as well as gibberellic acid-, induced). Both kinetin and ethrel increased the total ribosomal material and the percentage of polyribosomes in lettuce seeds imbibed in the light for 24 hours. A combination of the two compounds showed a synergism in polyribosome formation only at high ethrel concentration. The inability of ethrel to reverse abscisic acid inhibition indicates that kinetin action cannot always be substituted by ethrel. The possible mechanisms involved in the enhanced response by a combination of kinetin and ethrel are discussed.