An intact embryonic axis was found to be essential for the mobilization of reserve proteins through the development of proteolytic activity in the cotyledons of germinating chickpea. Exogenously added gibberellic acid had no stimulatory effect on the protease development. The rate of protease development was not affected in the cotyledons germinating in preseance of casein hydrolysate. The data indicate that the protease development in the system may not be regulated by a feed back inhibition mechanism.
