The counteracting effect of potassium cyanide in sodium azide-inhibited germination of Paulownia tomentosa Steud. seeds

The effect of some respiratory inhibitors on light-induced Paulownia tomentosa Steud. seed germination was studied. Millimolar solution of sodium azide was sufficient to completely prevent germination induced by a 5-min red light pulse. The inhibitory effect of azide was absent if seeds were rinsed before phytochrome activation by light. Sodium azide was effective only if present in the period of Pfr activity. The escape time from azide inhibition compared to the escape from far-red light action, was delayed for about 24 hours. When azide was applied after phytochrome activation, its effect depended on how long it was present in the incubation medium. The removal of azide allowed full restoration of germination by another red light pulse and the far-red escape time did not differ from the escape of untreated, i.e. water-imbibed seeds. Potassium cyanide alone did not produce any effect in light-stimulated germination of these seeds. However, it counteracted the inhibitory effect of azide in light-stimulated germination, if applied simultaneously at a concentration three times higher.