Anatomy, Histochemistry and Cytology of Dormant and Stratified Apple Embryos

SUMMARY The following sequence of structural changes which are related to the utilization of storage materials have been shown to occur in the apple embryo: degradation of protein bodies, degradation of lipid bodies, appearance and degradation of starch. These processes take place in the embryonic axis during stratification and in the cotyledons during the germination of stratified embryos. Important differences were observed in the localization of these processes during the early post‐embryonic (up to 12 days) growth of dormant and stratified embryos. It is concluded that during the germination of dormant embryos the embryonic axis influences certain hydrolytic processes in cotyledons by delaying and inhibiting their progress, whereas in non‐dormant embryos these are stimulated by the embryonic axis.