Application of Chemicals in Organic Solvents to Dry Seeds

Various chemicals were applied to dry seeds by means of organic solvents. The gibberellic acid-treated (1 mm) lettuce seeds (Lactuca sativa L.) germinated nearly 100% in the dark even after prolonged storage, and those treated with abscisic acid (1 mm or 0.5 mm) failed to germinate in the light. The seedlings emerging from morphactin-treated (1 mm) cucumber seeds (Cucumis sativus L.) exhibited profound changes in morphology. Different combinations of hormones applied to lettuce seeds caused a promotion or an inhibition of germination. Germination promotion or inhibition studies showed that the applied chemicals could be removed by washing with an organic solvent or water. Progressively larger amounts of chemicals were removed with increasing periods of washing. Thus the chemical appeared to penetrate the seed to some degree. The potential of the organic solvent method is discussed.