The relationship of the dwarf gene (d₁) to seed germination and seedling growth in Lycopersicon esculentum Mill
Date
1964-06
Authors
Hanzely, Laszlo, author
Foskett, Richard L., advisor
Danielson, Robert E., committee member
Curtis, Byrd C., committee member
David, D. W., committee member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
A study of identification of the dwarf phenotype in seedling stage, of various factors affecting seed germination and seedling emergence and of growth responses to various moisture conditions in seedling stage of the dwarf phenotype was made. Characters, such as hypocotyl length, cotyledon length and cotyledon index (length/width) were found to be easy and precise methods of distinguishing dwarf and normal seedlings. The germination rate and time of dwarf seed when compared with normal seeds was found to be similar in petri dishes under moisture tensions of zero, three and six atmospheres and at various temperature levels. Slower emergence from soil and sand was observed for dwarf seedlings, regardless of temperature, planting depth or light conditions. Percent emergence of dwarf seedlings was lower than that of normal seedlings, particularly following planting at low temperature. Dwarf and normal seedlings were similar for fresh plant weight to weight and root weight at high moisture tensions induced by mannitol and control conditions. Root-top ratios were found to be higher for dwarf seedlings than for normal seedlings when grown under both high and low moisture tensions. A slower development of wilting symptoms at various number of days following suspension of watering, a higher percent of recovery following rewatering and a smaller percent of foliage damage resulting in chlorophyll destruction was shown to occur for the dwarf seedlings at moisture tensions achieved through the gradual water loss by soil.
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Subject
Tomatoes -- Genetics
Seeds
Germination