Qualitative changes in protein content during cold and warm stratification of Norway maple (Acer platanoidesL.) seeds

Protein synthesis in embryonic axes of Norway maple (Acer platanoides) was studied in seeds stratified at 3 or 15°C. At 3°C stratification, germination of seeds started between 6 and 7 weeks; at 15°C stratification germination did not occur. During imbibition of embryonic axes undergoing cold and warm stratification many new proteins became visible. Two of these proteins may be connected with the release from dormancy at 3°C. In seeds stratified at 15°C, these proteins occur in low amounts or are completely absent.