[Arabidopsis] Optimal germination of older Arabidopsis seeds

[Charles S. Gasser]

Dear Arabidopsis community,
We have some quite old Arabidopsis seed that appears to have largely 
lost viability - i. e. when sown on pots or plates they fail to 
germinate even when first stratified.

Does anyone have suggestions for optimal/improved conditions for 
germination of such seeds?  Workers on other species have suggested 
soaking in a GA solution or scratching the seed (I was thinking this 
might be accomplished by shaking them briefly with carborundum 
powder).  Does anyone have experience with these or other methods to 
allow perhaps weaked survivors to germinate?

Post to the group or e-mail me directly and if I get multiple answers 
I will post a summary.
-- 
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Charles S. Gasser
Professor
Dept. of Molecular and Cellular Biology
University of California, Davis
1 Shields Ave.
Davis, CA  95616

104 Briggs Hall
csgasser from ucdavis.edu
http://www.mcb.ucdavis.edu/faculty-labs/gasser/gasser-lab.html
Tel. 530 752-1013
FAX 530 752-3085