Softening of the Seeds of Melilotus alba

Abstract

1. The impermeable region of the seed coat of Melilotus alba is formed by a layer of tightly appressed suberin caps. 2. Hard and soft seeds can be distinguished in the unswollen condition by the use of osmic acid. 3. Permeability of naturally soft seeds occurs through the opening of a cleft at the strophiole. This strophiolar cleft can be produced by moderate heating or by mechanical impacting. 4. Soft-seededness is an irreversible condition. 5. A limited amount of work with several other legume seeds has indicated the presence of similar characteristics.