RESPIRATION AND UTILIZATION OF STORAGE MATERIALS IN WILD AND CULTIVATED PEA SEEDS DURING GERMINATION

Breakdown of storage materials, O2 uptake, respiratory control and ADP/O ratios in the cotyledons of the garden pea Pisum sativum and in the wild pea P. elatius were compared. Starch and protein degradation was slower in P. elatius than in P. sativum. Embryo growth began later in the wild pea. However, in the garden pea the mitochondria were uncoupled after about 48 h of germination, while in P. elatius the ability to carry out oxidative phosphorylation was maintained for 4 days. The respiratory control ratio was higher in the wild pea at all stages of germination and a steady level of O2 uptake was maintained in the cotyledons for at least 3 days. The findings are discussed in relation to the ecological requirements for germination in the 2 spp.