The increase in dark CO(2) fixation during cold storage of Gladiolus x gandavensis van Houtte-type grandiflorus cormels is used to monitor changes in their state of dormancy. Dark fixation is also promoted by benzyladenine, which breaks cormel dormancy, and is inhibited by abscisic acid and gibberellin A(3), which inhibit cormel germination. The rate of dark fixation by nondormant cormels is fi...