Direct and Indirect Stimulation of Primary Root Growth of Cotton Seed Imbibed at a Low Temperature by Calcium Sulfate

Abstract

The effect of calcium sulfate on cotton seed radicle growth at a low temperature was evaluated under laboratory conditions. Direct imbibition of solutions of calcium sulfate was stimulatory to radicle growth at 15 C at concentrations up to 10 mM. Anomalous stimulation of radicle growth at 15 C occurred when seed rolls moistened with water were placed adjacent to dilute open solutions of calcium and magnesium sulfate inside sealed chambers. The stimulation appeared due to an indirect influence of sulfate by an unknown mechanism.