Temperature control of germination and its possible role in the survival of a non‐dormant population of Avena fatua

Germination of freshly harvested seeds of a non‐dormant (ND) line (Stonehouse 319) of wild oats (Avena fatua L.) was inhibited by incubation of the seeds at relatively high temperatures of 25 and 30°C. The germination inhibition in these seeds appeared to be a case of thermo‐inhibition which was the direct effect of hightemperature treatment (HIT), since it did not persist after transferring the seeds to an optimum germination temperature of 20°C. Even a prolonged HTT of 30°C for over 5 weeks did not prevent germination of about 80% of the seeds transferred to 20°C. However, in a significant proportion of the seeds, thermo‐dormancy was induced by 10 days of HTT at 30°C if the seeds were then incubated at sub‐optimal temperatures of 5 to 15°C. This thermo‐dormancy would appear to be ‘restrictive’ in form, since its expression was restricted to very specific conditions. Relatively low inclubation temperaturs of 5 and 10°C markedly slowed germination whether HTT was applied or not. The results suggest that thermo‐inhibition and thermo‐dormancy, induced during seasonal temperature fluctuations, may provide a survival mechanism for seeds of such ND lines as Stonehouse 319.