Water Content and Phytochrome-induced Potential Germination Responses in Lettuce Seeds

Grand Rapids lettuce seeds (Lactuca sativa L.) with 6 to 8% water content show no light-induced germination responses, whereas in seeds with 15% or more water content, germination is promoted or retarded by red and far red light respectively. By adjusting seed water content, persistent potentiated responses to light are induced in the seeds at seed water levels much below that required for germination itself. Alternate moistening and drying of seeds in conjunction with red and far red irradiations show that potentiated responses may be phototransformed only with sufficient seed water. However, the process of drying and remoistening has no effect on potentiated responses.