CHANGES IN THE CONCENTRATIONS OF GLYCOLYTIC-INTERMEDIATES AND ADENOSINE PHOSPHATES DURING GERMINATION OF SEEDS OF CICER-ARIETINUM-L

1. 1. Changes in the levels of glycolytic intermediates, adenosine phosphates and energy charge, were measured during the first 72 hr of germination of seeds of Cicer arietinum L. 2. 2. In cotyledons, all the glycolytic intermediates with the exception of glucose-6-phosphate and fructose 1,6-diphosphate reached the maximum level at 24 hr. ATP increased with great rapidity following imbibition; ADP and AMP were maintained at a very low level. 3. 3. In the embryonic axis, the levels of glycolytic intermediates and ATP increased until 48 hr and then decreased. 4. 4. Comparisons of the mass action ratios with the equilibrium constants suggest regulatory roles of phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase. 5. 5. The energy charge was lower before the protrusion of the radicle (18 hr) and increased thereafter until it reached a value of 0.92 at 48 hr in cotyledons. 6. 6. In the embryonic axis, the energy charge increased between 3 and 18 hr and was then maintained at a constant high level throughout germination. © 1979.