Buried weed seeds

A - Papers appearing in refereed journals

Brenchley, W. E. 1918. Buried weed seeds. The Journal of Agricultural Science. 9 (1), pp. 1-31. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021859600004676

AuthorsBrenchley, W. E.
Abstract

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.

Year of Publication1918
JournalThe Journal of Agricultural Science
Journal citation9 (1), pp. 1-31
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021859600004676
Open accessPublished as non-open access
FunderRothamsted Research
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP)
ISSN0021-8596

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