Tolerance of Anoxia and Ethanol Metabolism in Germinating Seeds

SUMMARY Seeds resistant to soaking injury and the associated condition of anoxia regulate glycolysis so that there is minimal production of ethanol. This regulation is achieved by low anaerobic respiration rates, the minimization of the Pasteur effect, and by the production of lactate as an alternative to ethanol during the early stages of anaerobiosis. Resistant seeds differ from those intolerant of soaking where anoxia causes an acceleration of glycolysis, an induction of alcohol dehydrogenase activity and the production of large quantities of ethanol as the exclusive end‐product of glycolysis. Seeds tolerant of soaking are therefore similar to the roots of flood‐tolerant plants where ethanol production is also limited during periods cf anoxia.