Phytochrome and Seed Germination. I. Temperature Dependence and Relative P(FR) Levels in the Germination of Dark-germinating Tomato Seeds.

Germination of the dark-germinating seeds of 3 varieties of tomato is controlled by the phytochrome system. Germination is inhibited by far red radiation and repromoted by red applied after far red. At low temperatures, 17 to 20 degrees , a single, low energy far red irradiation is sufficient to inhibit germination in all 3 varieties. At higher temperatures far red is less effective in the inhibition of the germination of the tomato seeds. The phytochrome fraction present as P(FR) in the dark-germinating seeds of the Ace variety is about 40% of the total phytochrome present.