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Buried weed seeds

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

Winifred E. Brenchley
Winifred E. Brenchley
Affiliation:
(Rothamsted Experimental Station.)
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Extract

The seeds of many species of plants have a habit of germinating in unexpected places under various conditions, and the question of the vitality of seeds is one that has frequently engaged the attention of scientists. It has often been claimed that seeds obtained from old pyramids and sepulchres have germinated when placed in favourable circumstances, but Becquerel states that strict enquiry and experiment show that authentic seeds of such origin will not germinate, but that the seeds so obtained which do germinate have proved to be frauds inserted by the fellaheen for the sake of gain. Various writers (quoted by Becquerel) have claimed the power of germination for seeds buried for very long periods. Michelet claimed that seeds of Galium anglicum, buried 3000 years ago in the valley of Doubs, had retained their power of growth; von Heldreich, that Glaucium Serpieri from land covered by excavated scoriae 1500 years ago, was still viable; much doubt, however, has been thrown on the authenticity of such seeds.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 9 , Issue 1 , August 1918 , pp. 1 - 31
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1918

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References

Page 1 note 1 Becquerel, P., “Recherches sur la vie latente des graines” Ann. des Sci. Nat., Bot. 1907, 5, pp. 193–311.Google Scholar

Page 2 note 1 British Association Reports, 1850, pp. 160–168; 1857, pp. 43–56.

Page 3 note 1 Loc. cit.

Page 3 note 2 Vines, Physiology of Plants.

Page 3 note 3 Quoted by Becquerel, loc. cit.

Page 4 note 1 Quoted by Becquerel, loc. cit.

Page 4 note 2 “Duration of vitality of seeds of Orobanche crenata,” Atti R. Accad. Econ. Agr. Geogr. Firenze, Series 7, 1910, 5, No. 1, pp. 1–7.Google Scholar

Page 4 note 3 Jahresb. der Vereinigung för angewandte Botanik, 1910. Summarised in Journ. Board Agric. 1911, pp. 599–600.

Page 8 note 1 Centaurea nigra, Cerastium vulgatum, Ranunculus sp. and Stellaria media have been separated out in the other tables as arable or grassland plants, but here they are so obviously present in their capacity of grassland plants that no division has been made in Table II.

Page 11 note 1 Lawes, J. B., “The history of a field newly laid down to permanent grass,” Journ. Roy. Agric. Soc. Eng. 1889, 25, pp. 1–24.Google Scholar