Seeds: germination vegetables

Cytokinins also delay senescence and hence can be used to prolong the shelf life of fresh vegetable and cut flowers and to promote seed germination. Cytokinins appear to be involved with transfer RNA (t-RNA) and, therefore, they possibly play a role in regulating the incorporation of specific amino acids into proteins. 

Experiments of McPherson and Muller (1969), McPherson et al. (1971), and Muller and Chou (1972) have shown that substances responsible for the observed allelopathic effects are water soluble and waterborne with both species. One of the major climatic features of this vegetation is coastal fog even in the summer months and although rainfall is only moderate, there is a constant drip of moisture on to the leaves of these shrubs and, hence, onto the surrounding soil. This dripping is sufficient to carry a regular supply of water-soluble inhibitors from leaves to the soil where they remain in sufficient concentration to prevent growth or seed germination of any annual species near these shrubs (McPherson and Muller, 1969). 

A number of cruciferous plants inhibit the growth of competing vegetation several glucosinolates and their hydrolysis products have been isolated and demonstrated to possess herbicidal or growth-inhibiting activity. Others inhibit seed germination. 

When used to provide short-term mulching, along with erosion protection there is a need to nurture initial seed germination and vegetation growth. 

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