New Method of Recording Germination Data

Abstract

GERMINATION data are normally published in the form of ‘percentage germination’. These are usually, but not always, accompanied by some information on the time taken for the stated percentage to be reached, a typical example being ‘91 per cent germination in 18 days’¹. This method is unsatisfactory for two main reasons: (a) It does not facilitate the comparison of germination data published by two authors. Thus, while it is satisfactory within a single investigation, percentage germination in x days is of little use in comparing different observations except in the unusual case where x is the same in both. (b) It does not indicate the rapidity of germination but only its final extent. Information which may be important from an ecological or horticultural point of view may thus be lost.