Date of Award:

5-1968

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Plants, Soils, and Climate

Committee Chair(s)

David R. Walker

Committee

David R. Walker

Committee

Herman H. Wiebe

Committee

J. LaMar Anderson

Committee

John O. Evans

Abstract

A study of nucleic acid changes influenced by gibberellic acid and chilling treatments in peach seed was performed in an attempt to reach a better understanding of the mechanism involved in breaking seed dormancy.

Gibberellic acid and the chilling treatment increased the RNA content. These two treatments which break dormancy also increased RNA, suggesting a similar mechanism involving RNA. Chilled seeds contained more RNA than did the gibberellic acid treated seeds.

DNA content remained unchanged regardless of treatment.

Dry seed had a greater ribonuclease activity than with soaked seeds. Enzyme changes did not correlate well with the RNA content in gibberellic treated seeds.

Deoxyribonuclease activity was higher in dry seed than with soaked seeds. Enzyme activity change did not correlate well with the DNA content.

The phosphorus content of the seed in regard to the gibberllic acid and chilling treatments was difficult to evaluate. There were no major relationships established. Phosphorus in the methanol fraction from the chilled seed increased some as the storage period increased.

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