Effect of ABA and kinetin on fat and protein degradation during imbibition of dormant and non-dormant groundnut seeds

Total fat content of fresh non-dormant seeds of cv. J-11 decreased with time during imbibition of water while little change was observed in fresh seeds of dormant cv, M-13. A period of dry storage overcame dormancy in M-13 and increased the rate of fat depletion. Treatment with ABA decreased, while that with kinetin increased the rate of fat hydrolysis. ABA was more effective in inhibiting protein hydrolysis rather than fat breakdown in germinating seeds while kinetin treatment enhanced fat hydrolysis much more than protein breakdown in dormant seeds. Seed storage, enhanced the fat hydrolysis even in non-dormant cultivar. Treatment with ABA. caused effects similar to those seen in dormant seeds indicating that dormancy may be due to like inhibitor ABA.