Seed Dormancy: Breaking by Uncouplers and Inhibitors of Oxidative Phosphorylation

When 2,4-dinitrophenol and carbon dioxide were applied together to dormant seeds of Trifolium subterraneum L. (subterranean clover), 2,4-dinitrophenol did not disturb the breaking of dormancy which carbon dioxide usually induces in legume seeds. On the contrary, on its own, it promoted germination in a substantial proportion of seeds; a similar effect was produced by other uncouplers or inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation.