Jan. 13, 1923 
Respiration of Apple Seeds 
129 
(6) Correlated with, a relatively high rate of oxidation at high temper¬ 
atures is a tendency for the seeds to become more dormant; with storage 
of oxygen at low temperatures they slowly become capable of germina¬ 
tion. 
(7) The respiratory quotient becomes low (about 0.60) with ad¬ 
vancing germination, indicating the rapid transformation of fats and 
accumulation of sugars.' Preceding this fall in respiratory quotient 
there is frequently a brief initial rise (to a maximum of 1.2), which 
indicates the breaking up of oxygen-rich bodies (probably organic acids) 
much more rapidly than these bodies are replaced and may be associated 
with a temporary deficiency of oxygen in the respiring tissues. 
(8) The temperature coefficients for the respiratory exchanges of dor¬ 
mant apple seeds are greater for seeds previously incubated at medium 
temperatures (20° C.) than for seeds previously incubated at higher 
temperatures, greater for C 0 2 production than for oxygen consumption, 
greater when changing from a medium temperature (19 0 C.) to a higher 
temperature (30° C.) than when the reverse change is made, and greater 
at low temperatures than at high temperatures. 
(9) Temperature changes, at least temporary elevation of the tem¬ 
perature (to 30° C.), may exert a stimulating effect on the respiration 
of dormant apple seeds, but the evidence is not conclusive. 
(10) Respiratory intensity, respiratory quotients, and temperature 
coefficients are affected by the previous treatment of the seeds, being 
higher after treatment which tends toward after-ripening, and lower after 
treatment which induces deeper dormancy. 
(11) Temperature coefficients are different for different steps imthe 
oxidative processes which constitute respiration, and these differences 
are related to the different temperature effects upon the physiological 
condition of the living embryo. 
(12) In order to gain an understanding of respiratory processes it is 
necessary to study oxygen consumption and C 0 2 production in their 
relation to each other. 
LITERATURE CITED 
(1) ApplEman, Charles O. 
1911. PHYSIOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR OP ENZYMES AND CARBOHYDRATE TRANSFORMA¬ 
TIONS IN APTER-RIPENING OF THE POTATO TUBER. In Bot. Gaz., V. 
no. 4, p. 306-315. Literature cited, p. 315. 
(2) Atwood, W. M. 
1914. A PHYSIOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE GERMINATION OF AVENA PATUA. In Bot. 
Gaz., v. 57, no. 5, p. 386-414, 13 fig. Literature cited, p. 410-414. 
(3) Blanc, L. 
1916. RECHERCHES EXP&RIMENTALES SUR L’INFLUENCE DES VARIATIONS DE 
TEMPERATURE SUR LA RESPIRATION DES PLANTES. In Rev. G6n. Bot., 
t. 28, no. 327, p. 65-79. 
(4) Bonnier, Gaston, and Mangin, L. 
1884. SUR LES VARIATIONS DE LA RESPIRATION DES GRAINES GERMANT AVEC LE 
dEveloppement. In Bui. Soc. Bot. France, t. 31 (s6r. 2, t. 6), p. 
306-309. 
(5) Brannon, M. A. 
1913. osmotic pressure in potatoes. In Bot. Gaz., v. 56, no. 5, p. 433-438, 
.4 fig- 
(6) Crocker, William, and Harrington, George T. 
1918. CATALASE AND OXIDASE CONTENT OF SEEDS IN RELATION TO THEIR DOR¬ 
MANCY, age, vitality, and respiration. In Jour. Agr. Research, v. 
15, no. 3, p. 137-174, 3 fig. Literature cited, p. 173-174. 
(7) Bckerson, Sophia. 
1913. a physiological and chemical study of after-ripening. In Bot. 
Gaz., v. 55, no. 4, p. 286-299. Literature cited, p. 297-299. 
