The control of seed germination in Trollius ledebouri: The breaking of dormancy.

Seeds of Trollius ledebouri exhibit low germination when maintained on moistened filter paper. Dormancy can be overcome by the application of gibberellins A4+A7 or by testa removal. Germination is characterised by a change in the anatomy of the seed and by specific alterations in the protein complement of the endosperm tissue. These anatomical and biochemical changes are also exhibited by isolated endosperm tissue maintained in the absence of the embryo. The observations described are discussed in relation to the interaction between the endosperm and the embryo in the control of seed germination in T. ledebouri.