Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 June 2017
Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis L.) achenes were subjected to various treatments to induce germination and to study dormancy. Complete pericarp removal, partial seed coat removal, puncturing the seed coat, heat treatment, red and far-red light treatments, and germination temperature treatments did not break dormancy. Low-temperature after-ripening for 60 days at 4 C dormant fumitory achenes resulted in 90 to 95% germination. Water leaching of fumitory achenes increased the time required for successful after-ripening and the water leachate stimulated Avena coleoptile cylinder elongation. Wild oat (Avena fatua L.) embryo germination was inhibited by high concentrations of fumitory achene leachate and stimulated slightly by lower concentrations. High concentrations of the leachate inhibited epicotyl and radicle growth of pre-sprouted lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) seedlings and lower concentrations markedly stimulated radicle growth.