The influence of diffused light and temperature on seed germination of three genetically nondormant lines of wild oats (Avena fatua) and its adaptive significance

摘要

Freshly harvested seeds of three genetically nondormant populations of wild oat (Avena fatuaL.) germinated readily in the dark at optimum temperatures. Direct or diffused light caused germination inhibition in seeds of all these populations. This light-induced germination inhibition was intensity dependent; the higher the light intensity, the greater the inhibition. Germination inhibition by light was accentuated by higher incubation temperatures, indicating an interaction between these two factors on the induction of secondary seed dormancy in genetically nondormant populations. This interaction may be of adaptive significance to the survival of nondormant populations, and reconciles some apparently conflicting reports in the literature.