Abstract
THIS investigation was undertaken in December 1921. Seeds of thirty species were placed in tin containers (druggists' ointment tins), one lot being left indoors in the laboratory, at a temperature of 750 F., the other lot being exposed out of doors, for 83 days, from January 9 to April 2. In both cases the seeds were kept perfectly dry. After the conclusion of the period indicated, the seeds of both lots were germinated between blotters for 10 days in the laboratory, at a temperature of 72°-75° F. One hundred seeds were tested from each lot, the germinated seeds being counted on the fifth, seventh, and tenth days. Fifteen varieties of garden seeds, belonging to seven species, gave a germination percentage at the end of 10 days of 67 per cent, to 63 per cent, in favour of the indoor lots. For eleven varieties, belonging to eight species, the germination percentage at the end of 10 days was as 70 per cent, to 66 per cent., also in favour of the indoor lots. The twenty-six varieties gave an average percentage germination at the end of 5, 7, and 10 days of 42: 36, 62: 58, and 69: 65 respectively, for the indoor and the outdoor lots, or a preponderant percentage superiority of 6 per cent., 4 per cent., and 4 per cent, respectively, for the three successive periods, in favour of the lots kept indoors.
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ROBERTS, H. Germination of Seeds exposed to Low Temperatures. Nature 114, 393 (1924). https://doi.org/10.1038/114393a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/114393a0