Thermal Regulation of Water Uptake by Germinating Honey Mesquite Seeds

Abstract

Ambient temperature regulated the rate and extent of water imbibition by germinating honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa Torr., var. glandulosa) seeds. Honey mesquite seeds required less water and less time for germination at 85 than at 100 or 70 F. Seeds at 70 F contained almost 3 times as much water as seeds at 85 F when germination first occurred although the rate of water uptake (mg/seed/hr) was reduced considerably. Decreasing moisture availability to 8 atm influenced the rate of water absorption by seeds more at 85 and 100 F than at 70 F.