Suppression of mitochondrial dehydrogenases accompanying post-glyoxylate cycle activation of gluconeogenesis and reduced lipid peroxidation events during dormancy breakage of walnut kernels by moist chilling

•Moist chilling suppressed walnut kernel pyruvate- and succinate-dehydrogenases.•Cold conditions activate succinate oxidase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase.•Declined kernel respiration favors post-glyoxylate cycle gluconeogenesis activation.•Buildup of lipid hydroperoxides only occurred in warm incubated kernels.•Moist chilling attenuates kernel peroxidative events thus promotes germination.