Results and Discussion
The start of germination of 'Early Calwonder' pepper
seeds was delayed as temperature decreased from 25° to
20° to 15° (3.0, 4.9 and 11.2 days, respectively). The rate
of germination was only slightly reduced at 15° whereas
total germination was unaffected by temperature in the
range tested (Fig. 1). Water uptake during imbibition was
similar at 15° and 25° and did not increase appreciably
until most seed germinated (Fig. 2). It was assumed that
the 10% difference in water uptake during the first 24 hr
of imbibition at 25° or 15° did not account for the sig
nificant delay (8 days and more) of the germination at the
lower temperature.
Seed size has no effect on germination rate at 25° or 15°,
although total germination of the small seed, which represente4
less than 1% of the total seed lot, was reduced at both
temperatures (Fig. 3).
Scanning electron micrographs of the external surface
of the seed coat revealed that pepper seed appeared to be
encased in a wax-like substance. If so, this layer might be
removed by organic solvents, and thus allow more rapid
germination. The germination pattern (start, rate and total