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thesis entitled
Studies of the Influence of Variety,
Source of Seed, and Environmental Effects
on the Germination and Emergence of Common
Garden Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and
Lima Peans (Phaseolus Sp.)

presented by

Thomas Vivian Morris

has been accepted towards fulfillment
of the requirements for

_li._5.__ degree in __H.Qnt.:1_cnlt ure

Major professor

Date Se t mb r 2

 

STUDIES OF THE INFLUENCE OF VARIETY, SOURCE OF SEED,
AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ON TH3 GEREIEATION LED
ENERGSNCS CF COMMON GARDEN BEANS
(PHASEOLUS VULGARIS)
AND LIMA BE :3

CEHASEOLUS SP.)

By

Thomas Vivian Merrie
.-

A THESIS
Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies of
Michigan State College of Agriculture and
Applied Science in partial fulfillment of
the requirements for the degree of.

MASTER OF SCIENCE

Department of Horticulture

September 1949

IH :51:

ACKIIO'.‘J'LED GLENTS

The author wishes to express his sincere appreciation
to Doctor R. L. Carolus for his guidance and assistance in
the planning of the studies, and criticisms in the preparation
of the manuscript, and to Doctor Arthur Isbit for his

criticisms on the writing of the manuscript.

Gnu}. m/Dl
2w (-1 9 b

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter Page
I INTRODUCTION AND STATEHBNT OF THE PROBLEN...........1
II REVIEH’OF LITERATURN......,.........................2
III METHODS AND NATSRIALS...............................7
IV’EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS...............................l7
Experiment I.......................................17
1 Influence of Variety, Source of Seed, Incubation
Temperature, Soil Sterilization, Seed Treatment,

and MOisture Level on Germination and Emergence.

Experiment IIeeeeeeeeeeoeeeeeeooeeeeeoeeeeoeeeee00.40
1 Influence of Variety, Source of Seed, Tempera-
ture, and Seed Treatment on Germination and

Emergence in EXpanded Mica.

Experiment III.....................................54
1 Influence of Variety, Source of Seed, Seed Treat-
ment, and Planting Date on Germination and
Emergence Under Field Conditions.
V DISCUSSION.........................................69
VI CONCLUSIONS........................................78
VII LITERATURE CITED...................................80

INTRODUCTION AND STATEMENT OF PRQBLEM

Many varieties of comon garden beans (Phaseclus
vulgaris) and lima beans (Phaseolus sp.) germinate slowly
or fail to germinate at 1" soil temperatures. Parasitic
fungi in the soil may cause decay of the seed if germination
is delayed. In order to prevent seed decay, the use of
seed protectsnte has become a standard practice.

The specific purpose of these experiments was to
determine to ihat extent varieties differ in their response
to adverse weather conditions and whether’through the use
of chemical seed protectants these differential responses
may be modified. ' .

Because of the possible value to been growers, a
study of the various influences of variety and environmental
effects on the germination of common garden beans and lima

beans appears to be warranted.

2
REVIEW'OF LITERATURE -

Chemical treatment of bean seeds prior to plant-
ing is becoming a common practice among bean growers and
gardeners. There has been considerable work by Crosier
(3), Felix (S), Leukel (13), Cunningham and Sharvell (4),
Bay (9), Horsfall (10), MCNcI (15), and others to
indicate its importance in protecting seeds from.the
destructive effects of soil microflora. Recent trends
in the use of chemical seed protectants tend to favor
the use of chemical Tetrachlorcparabensoquinone (Spergon)
on beans. Studies by Crosier (3) indicated that Tetra-
chlorOparabenzoquinone gave good results when used on
many garden beans and lima beans.

Bay (9) found that infestations of the mold genera
Cladogporium, Penicillium, Rhi 0 us, and Alternaria
caused decreased germination of been seed. These experi-
ments indicated that there was little difference in labor-
atory and field tests, and gave evidence that Uspulun
and Sterccide treatments of the seeds tended to reduce
the number of mold infested plants, both under laboratory
and field conditions.

MCGuffey‘(14) reported that Coated lima beans
failed to germinate, possibly due to injury received

during the coating process. he also stated that germination

3

percentage of coated wax and green bean seeds was slightly
higher than that of the uncoated ones.

Kbtcnski (12) showed that the Optimum temperature
for germination and the fastest rate of emergence in
beans was in the range of ?O°-86° F. He also found that
the time rate of production of seedlings at different
temperatures agreed well with van‘t Hoff's temperature
coefficient. He stated that the course of biochemical
change was related to the chemical composition of the seed.

Goes (7) indicated in his work on the germination
of Fordhook lima beans that, because of the cracking
of the seed coats of many seeds used in his experiment,
fungi in the soil more readily attacked them.and caused
a lower percentage of germination.

Cracker (2) reported that seed coats which excluded
exygen caused delay in germination. He also found that .
in nature, growth of the delayed seeds came about through
the disintegration of the seed coat structures by a longer
or shorter exposure to germinative conditions, and that
the length of delay depended upon the persistence of the
structures.

Harrington (8) stated that by using alternating
temperatures (15-2o° C.. 15-25° 0., 15-300 0.. 20-250 Q)

on the following seeds--carrots, cucumbers muskmelons,

4
millet, onions, watemmelon, timothy, sorghum, parsley,
red top, beets, upland cotton, cowpea, beans, peas, and
vetch--all germinated equally well with all alternations.
He also found that the smallest number of days required
for the production of bean seedlings in soil was four
days and that beans produced the first seedlings in the
smallest number of days during the moderately warm
weather of nay or during the latter half of June.

Clark (1) in his work on germination in onion
seeds found that the actual stand of onion plants in the
field was not as high as in the laboratory germination
due to adverse weather conditions in the field.

Seavers and Clark (17) have done a considerable
amount of work on conditions favoring the develOpment
of micro—organisms in heated soils, and have concluded
that the increased concentration of the soil solution
after heating favored fungus growth.

Johnson (11) stated that practically all soils
when sterilized in the ordinary manner by heat at tem»
peratures approximating loo-115° 0. produced temporary
retardation in seed germination and plant growth followed
by increased rate of growth. He showed that germination
in beans increased after the soil was aerated for 90
hours or more after sterilization. However, he stated

that the Solonaceae and Leggginoseae were quite susceptible

I

. 5 ,

to the injurious action of high soluble salts. But with
seeds resistant to the toxic action, marked acceleration
of the rate of germination may result from heating soils.
He further stated that on heating a soil to different
temperatures, a gradual increase in toxicity usually occurred
to seed germination and to early plant growth which reached
its maximum at 250° C., but gradually decreased to practic-
ally no toxicity on soils heated to 350° C. or above.

Walker (22) stated that for the common bean
(Phaseolus vulgarig), a satisfactory treatment has not
been perfected as yet for the chief seed borne pathogens:
bacterial blight (ththomonas phaseoli); bacterial wilt
Mobacterium flaccumfacienfig and anthracnose (Cg_]_._l__e_-_-_
totrichum.lindemuthianum). He also reported that Arasan and
Spergon have been adopted widely as a protestant on
sweet corn, onions (pelleted), lima beans, and other
vegetables. .

Aeration of the soil has an important influence
on germination, and is related to soil texture, moisture
content of the soil, and the oxygen requirement for
germination of seed of different kinds of plants (21).
Shull (18) found that a rise in temperature lowered the
oxygen minimum needed by Xanthium for germination, and
suggested that this might be due to the increase in

6
anaerobic respiration at higher temperatures.

Hunn (16) reported that seeds that showed
weakened vitality in laboratory tests gave poor results
in the field. However, Fuhr (6) concluded from her
experiments that soil is the best medium.for germination

of all seeds.

Toole, Miles, and rooie (21) conducted germination
experiments in which they used soils containing varying
quantities of moisture. They reported that germdnation
was significantly poorer at 60% moisture than at lower
moisture levels. They also showed that germination in
light sandy soils was greater than on blotters.

Whetzel (23) found that in saturated soils there
was a greater infection by damping-off organisms than in
unsaturated soils and that gzjhium debaryanum.requires

a temperature between 70° and 86° F. for infection and

optimum development.

7 '
METHODS AND MATERIALS

fisheriassi.l

The varieties used in these studies were obtained
from each of the following sources: Ferry-Morse Seed
Company; Corneli Seed Company; Associated Seed Growers,Inc.:
and Rogers Brothers Seed Dompany, hereafter referred to as
sources A, B, C, and D, respectively.

The following varieties of beans were used:

 

Snap_Beans Lig§,§g§g§
Idaho Refugee Peerless

Red valentine Henderson Bush
Black valentine Thorogreen
Tendergreen

Rival

Pencil Pod Black wax
Brittle wax

The object of this experiment was t0'study the
effect of variety and source, incubation temperature,
soil sterilization, seed treatment, and soil moisture
level on germination and emergence. The ten varieties
from four sources were arranged in a complete factorial
design with four temperatures (40° F, 50° F, 60° F and
70° F), in both sterilized and unsterilized soil, following

8

treatment of half the seed with tetrachlorOparabenzoquinone,
and in two moisture levels (60% and 70% of water holding
capacity). Thus, there were 1280 distinct treatments.

Half the seeds of each of the 10 varieties from
each of the four sources was treated with tetrachloro-
parabenzoquinone, while the other half was left untreated.
Half the treated and untreated seeds were placed in
sterilized mineral soil which was later maintained at
60% and 70% moisture of the water holding capacity, and
the other half was placed in unsterilized mineral soil to
be maintained at the same two moisture levels. All were
germinated at four different temperatures.

The designated amount of soil was sterilized
in live steam for three hours, after which it and the
unsterilized soil was allowed to stand in baskets in the
greenhouse for approximately 12 days. At the end of this
time the moisture content of both soils was determined by
weighing out 100 grams of each soil and drying in an oven.
Then the soil was weighed again with the difference between
initial weight and the final weight being calculated as '
the moisture content.

The moisture holding capacity was determined as
follows:

One hundred grams of each (sterilized and unsteri-

lized) oven dried soils were placed into different

9

suction funnels on tOp of filter paper and the funnels
were allowed to stand in small beakers filled with
water until the soil was completely saturated with.water.
After this, the funnels were removed from.the water
and all free water allowed to drain by gravity. The
soil was again weighed and the difference between the
initial weights and final weights represented percent
water holding capacity.

After these procedures were carried out, a flat
each, of sterilized and unsterilized soil was weighed
to determine the weight of soil in a flat, then the
moisture caitent was subtracted from the total weight
to determine the weight of soil. The remainder was then
multiplied by the percent moisture holding capacity. The
product was then multiplied by the percentage moisture
desired for each soil.

Results are shown in Table I.

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The seeds were germinated in wooden flats 15”

X 21" X 4" inside dimensions. The soil in the flats

was firmed to within 1? inches of the tOp with.a marking
board. After each lot of seed had been treated at the
rate of 2 ounces of chemical per bushel of seed, 10 rows
of 20 seeds each (1 row per variety) were planted in
sterilized and unsterilized soil with a flat (of each
sterilized and unsterilized soil) representing a source.
An equal amount of untreated seeds were planted in both
sterilized and unsterilized soil.

After the seeds were placed on top of the bottom
layer of soil, enough water was added to the soil in
half of the flats to bring the mwisture content up to
70% of the water holding capacity, and to the other half
was added enough water to bring the moisture content up
to 60% of the water holding capacity. The seeds were then
covered with 1% inches of soil and water was again added
for the desired moisture.

The flats in which the seeds had been planted were
than placed in four walk-in type controlled temperature
chambers, in which the temperature was maintained at 40°,
50°, 60°, and 70° F. respectively, with a relative
humidity of approximately 85%.

Thirty-two flats were stacked in each chamber in

groups of four, and the stacking sequence was rotated

12

every thirty-six hours. The flats placed in the 70°F.
chamber were allowed to remain for five days, after which
they were moved to the greenhouse. Severe etiolation
of the seedlings resulted when they remained in the
chamber for 10 days. The flats placed in the 40°, 50°,
and 60°F. incubators were allowed to remain for ten days
after which they were moved to the greenhouse, where
they were allowed to remain 10 days. They were completely
randomized in the greenhouse. Greenhouse temperatures
averaged approximately 75150p. during the day and approx-
imately GOlSOF. during the night.

To obtain a weighted average of the number of
days to emergence, the number of seedlings that emerged
each day was multiplied by the number of days to emergence,
and the sum of these products was divided by the total

number of seedlings that emerged.

Experiment ;;

The object of this experiment was to study the
influence of variety, source of seed, incubation temper-
ature, and seed treatment on germination and emergence in
a sterile artificial medium.The medium selected was
expanded mica. The ten varieties from four sources were

arranged in a complete factorial design with four temperatures

13
(40°, 50°, 60°, and 70° F.) following treatment of half

of the seed with tetrachlorOparabenzOquinone. In this
experiment, 32 flats were planted, and contained a total
of 320 distinct treatments.

The seeds used in 16 of these flats were treated
with the seed protectant at the rate of 2 ounces per
bushel, and an equal amount was left untreated. For
each of the four temperatures 8 flats were planted ( 4
treated and 4 untreated) with each flat representing a
source in which 10 varieties were planted (l variety per
row) as in experiment I.

A one and one-half inch layer of expanded mica
was placed in each of the thirty-two flats and saturated
with water, after which ten rows at two inch intervals
were marked off with a marking board. The seeds were
planted on top of the eXpanded mica, again using 20 seeds
per row. After the seeds were planted they were covered
with one inch of expanded mica and the mica moistened
with water. 1

Eight of the 32 flats were placed in each of the
four walk-in type controlled temperature chambers, as in
experiment I, and allowed to remain for the following

lengths of time:

14

Temperature Period in temperature
chamber

70°F. 5 days

50°F. 10 days

60°F. 10 days

70°F. 10 days

The flats were then moved into the greenhouse
for the remaining ten days of the germination period,
where they were watered daily and where daily emergence
counts were made. The average days to emergence were

calculated as in experiment I.

Experiment III

 

The object of this experiment was to study the
influence of variety, source of seed, seed treatment, and
planting date under field conditions on germination and
emergence. Arrangement was such as to have all treatments,
except those including seed treatments in randomized
blocks. Each source of each variety consisted of a three
row plot and each of the three rows was a different seed
treatment, thus constituting a plot split.

This experiment was conducted on the experimental

plots of the Department of Horticulture at East Lansing.

15

The soil on these plots is Hillsdale sandy loam. The
same varieties from the same sources as used in the
greenhouse experiment were used in the field experiments.
One third of the seeds used in this experiment were un-
treated Checks; one third were treated with 2 ounces of
tetrachlorcparabenzoquinone per bushel; and the remaining

third were coated with the follOWing materials on the

indicated sources:

Coating materials*
1.5% Tetrachlor0parabenzoquinone
1.5% Tetramethylthiuramdisulphide
Source A and B 5.0% Superphosphate
4.0% Parathion

fly ash, feldspar, methylcellulose

1.5% Tetrachlor0parabenzaquinone

1.5% Tetramethylthiuramdisulphide
Source C and D 4.0% Superphosphate

5.0% hethoxychlor

fly ash, feldspar, methylcellulose

* Per 100 grams of seeds

16

One hundred seeds were planted 1%" deep in rows
10 feet long and 3 feet wide, with each tier containing
the samples from one source.

The first planting was made May 14, 1949. During
the first five days after planting, soil temperatures
averaged 643100F. Temperatures averaged 68150F. for the
remaining 15 days of observation. The second planting
was made May 30, 1949. Soil temperatures averaged
70180F. for the duration of the experiment.

The rate of emergence of the seedlings was ob-
served for 20 days for the first planting and 15 days for
the second planting and the average days to emergence

calculated as in experiments I and II.

17

EXTERIMENTAL RESULTS

Experiment I

 

The Influence of Variety, Source of Seed, Incubation
pamperature, Soil Sterilization, Seed Treatment, and Moisture
Level on Germination and Emergence of Common Garden Beans

(Phaseolus Sp.) and Lima Beans (Phaseolus Sp.).

The data obtained with respect to percent germination
of the 1280 lots of seed was analyzed by the method of
analysis of variance.(19) Table II is a summary table of
the analysis for Experiment I. Second order and higher
interactions are placed in the error term.

The data on percent germination are arrayed in
Tables III to XXVIII, respectively, and the data on average
number of days to emergence are arrayed in Tables XXVIIIA
and XXVIIIB.

Based on all factors, the relative perccnt of all
lima beans was significantly lower than that of the common
garden beans with lowest percent germination in the variety
Peerless. However, three varities of cammon beans--Britt1e
Wax, Rival, and Tendergreen--showed a significantly lower
percentage germination than the others. Black valentine

and Pencil Pod Black wax germinated significantly better

than any of the other varieties. Table III.

18

TABLE II

PERCENT GERMINATION IN FLATS OF SOIL

ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE SUMMARY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source of Variance D.F. Sums of Mean Square F.Value Sig.
Squares
Total lg79 47,496.07 g
Eggiety 9 10,618.18 ’1‘379,09 9;.04 '45
Temperature 3 2.39;.39 733.796 56,66 ii
Sources 3 405.87 135.29 10.44 fl **
Seed Treatment 1 ig042.2ig 'l,o42.2l 80.47 *4
Soil Sterilization 1 86.44__ 86.44 g 6.67 .4
Soil Moisture 1 7,464.29 7,464.29 576.39 **
V x T 27 $1,713.86 63:476 4.9 **
V x 8‘ 27 ;&§4I,55 49.687 3.83p **
‘!_§"ST. 9 2,496.85 277.42 21.42 *4
V x 8.8. 9 140.74 15.63 1:2 N.S.
V x.SMi 9 ~;,§;6.99 201,88 15.58 **
2.5l3 9 354.93_ 39.54 5.95 4. #_
g_;_sr. 3 274.18 9;;393 , 7.05 **
T x 8.3. 3 69.68 23.226 1.7 N.S.
g:; S.M. ' pg, 839.40 279.8 21.60 4.
S 1 ST. 3 295.02 98.34 7.55 **
8 x 8.8. 3 589.83*_1 196.6; 15.18 **

 

 

 

 

 

 

19
TABLE II (Cont.)

E:

Source of Variance D.F. Sums of Mean Square F.Value Sig.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Squares
8 x S.M§ 3 468.76 156.25 _:12.06 **
ST x 8.3. 1 207.40 207.40 16.91% , **
§2:; S.M§ l 61:12 61.12 4.71 A *
8.8.x S.M. ;___;gs.75 108.75 8.39pp_ **
Error 1150 14,900.63 12.95

* Significant at 5% level
4* Highly significant at 1% level

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21

The influence of incubation temperature on the over-
all percent germination of the beans used in this experiment
is expressed in Table IV which indicates the relative
influence of each of the four temperatures. The percent
germination was highest at the highest incubation temper-
ature with the lowest incubation temperature giving the
lowest percent germination. There was little difference
between percent germination at 50° F and 600 F.

The overall average percent germination of those
bean seeds obtained from sources 0 and D was higher than

the seeds obtained from source A and B. (Table V)

Seed treated with tetrachlorOparabenzoquinone
germinated on an overall average of 10% higher than the
untreated ones. (Table VI)

There was a slight but highly significant differ-
ence in the overall average percent germination of seeds
in sterilized soil as compared with the overall average
percent germination of seeds in unsterilized soil, Table
VII.

As shown in Table VIII, the overall average per-
cent germination was twice as great in the soil with a
moisture level of 61% of the water holding capacity than
with that of 70%.

Table IX expresses the relative influence of

22
TABLE v ’
INFLUENCE OF SOURCE ON THE BERGENT GERMINATION 0F BEANS

Source - WI . f

_, A. B. c on
mitt ‘
Germination . 51.14 52.05 _ 38.1 54.2

Difference required for significance 1% level-3.30

5%'1eve1-2.78
* Each figure is an average of 320-20 seed samples

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE VI
INFLUENCE oF SEED TREATMENT ON THE GERMINATION 0F BEANS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

figgfi,treatment"" ' Treated with Spergon Untreated
Percent germination 40.08* ~ 29.7
TABLE VII

INFLUENCE OF SOIL STERILIZATION ON PERCENT GERMINATION

OF BEANS

       

      
  
 
 

 

          

    

    

o 8 er za on 8 er 1 so So

  
 

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germination 3504* 32.8

  
 

TABLE VIII

INFLUENCE OF SOIL MOISTURE ON PERCENT GERMINATION OF BEANS

 

 

Soil Mbisture 70% 60%
Percent . Ll
germination 22.27* 46.5

 

 

Required for significance: 1% level-2.59

s Each figure is an average of 640-20 seed samples

23

TABLE II

INFLUENCE OF IN CUBATIOH TEMPERATURE
ON THE PERCENT GERMINATION
0F 10 VARIETIES 0F BEANS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inggbation Tem erature
40° F. 50°F. 60°F. 70°F. Average for
Variety
- ‘ 5 Variety
..Percent Germination
Idaho Refugee 38.12* 52.03 42gg4 51.09 45.89
Red q .
valentine 21.56 ’49.68 ' 54.37 54.53 45.03
Black
jalentine 32.5 55.62 546.71 54.53 ' 49.84
Tendergreen 31.09 41.56 49.53 45.46 41.91
giva1_ 25.62 35.93 35.46 36.56 33.39 _g
Pencil Pod '
Brittle we;_, 16.71 28.59 32.18 29.68 26.79
Peerless 1.87 2.65 2.03 15.93 5.62
Henderson ‘ .
Bugh 23.28 17.5 17.03 45.93 25.93
Thorogreen J_ 11.56 16.84 13:12 17.45 I 17.45
Av. for Temp. 23.59 36.44 35.52 41.51

Difference required for significance (V x T interaction)
1% level-11.11%
5% level- 8.82%

a Each figure is an average of 32-20 seed samples

24
incubation temperature on the percent germination of the
10 varieties of beans. The lowest percent germination
was obtained with respect to all snap bean'warieties when
they were incubated at 40° F. Two varieties--1daho Refugee
and Pencil Pod Black waxo-gave a significantly better
germination at 50° F. than at 60° F. Peerless and Hender-
son Bush lima beans germinated significantly better at
70° F. than at any other temperature, while temperature had
no significant influence on the germination of Thorogreen

lima beans.

The figures in Table X indicate that varieties
from different sources differed in relative percent germ-
ination. Five of the varieties from source 0 germinated
significantly better than those obtained from the other
three sources.

Seed treatment markedly improved the germination
of Thorogreen, Brittle wax, and Tendergreen and signifi-
cantly increased the germination of all but Henderson Bush, '
Peerless, and Pencil Pod Black wax. (Table XI)

3011 sterilization improved the germination of
Idaho Refugee and Brittle wax, but did not significantly
improve germination of any of the other varieties, Table III.

The relative influence of soil moisture on the

5

percent germination of each of the 10 varieties of beans

25

TABLE X

INFLUENCE 0F SOURCE OF SEED

'ON THE PERCENT GERNINATION

-.,

OF IO VARIETIES OF BEANS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source
variety A B C D Average for
variety
_ . _ ‘ Percent Germination
Idaho Refugeel40.78* 43:75 52.18 46.87 45.89
Red _ 55.46? 31.56 41.71 51.4 45.03

Valentine
Black 4 q _

Valentine 46.4 41.56 60.15_ 51.25 49.81:
Tendergreen 35.15 37.18 42.21. HA§BO9 €429
Rival .29.68 35.31 ' 33.12 ( 35.46 e33.39
Pencil Pod

wax _47.81 51.09 58.43 50.81
ggittle Wax 6. e27-18 27.93 33.5 26.68
Peerless 2.96, 212.18 4.53 5.52.
Henderson , .

Bush 27.34_m_32434 e1291532 14.5. 25.92
Thoro reen 5 46 7 16.94
A;. for

Source 31.0 32.05 38.1 34.2

Difference required for significancs--5%'level-8.8%

* Each figure is an average of 32-20 seed samples

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528
used in the experiment is shown in Table XIII, which
indicates that all varieties except Peerless germinated
significantly better with 60% soil moisture than with
70% soil moisture. However, both moisture levels appear
to be higher than Optimum as indicated by the work of
(Toole, Miles, and Tools) who reported better germination
at soil moistures less than 60% of the water holding capacity.
- The influence of incubation temperature on seed

obtained from different sources as shown in Table XIV
indicate that the responses were variable.

The reaponse to seed treatment was greater at the
50° F. incubation temperature than at all other temper-
atures used, as indicated in Table XV. The influence of
soil sterilization on the average percent germination at
four temperatures is expressed in Table xVI. Significant
increases in average percent germination in sterilized
soil over unsterilized soil were found at 40 and 500 F.

Table XVII expresses the influence of soil moisture
at different incubation temperatures on the percent germ-
ination. The most pronounced decrease in germination at
70% moisture as compared with 60% moisture was at 700 F.

Table XVIII expresses the influence of seed treat-
ment on seed from each of the four sources and indicates
that seed source 0 gave greater response to treatment than

seed from other sources,

29

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.30

TABLE XIV

INFLUENCE OF INCUBATICN TEMPERATURE

ON PERCENT GERMNATION

or BEAN SEEDS FRo'ii FOUR SOURCES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incubation Temperature
Source . ,-- Percent Germination. .
j: m
A 21;g§i 25.43 '36.87 39.5 51.0
BB 25.81 35.37 29.56 37.5 32.0
C 24.37 42.31 39.56 46.43 38.1
D 21.56 43.75 ~ 36.12 42.62 34.2
Average
for
temper-
ature 23.2 36.4 35.5 41.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

Difference required for significance:(S x T Interaction)

1% level-8.2%
5%llevel-6.28%

*Each figure is an average of 80-20 seed samples

TABLE XV

51

INFLUENCE OF SEED TREATMENT AT DIFFERENT INCUBATICN

TEMPERATURES ON PERCENT GErilEATION OF BEANS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incubation Temperature
400F..50°F.V 60°F. 70°F. [Average
m:
3 ..Percent germination
: I I I . _
Untreated seeds 21.06* 30.6 52.59 37.31
Treated seeds 26.12 *44.62 38.4 45.71
Diff: Treated L
-Untreated '5.06 14.02 ' 4.81 8.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

Difference required f

action)

3% level-3.6%

TABLE XVI

or significance: (T x STInter-

INFLUENCE OF SOIL STERILIZATION ON PERCENT GERMINATION

0F BEANS AT FOUR INCUBATION TEMPERATURES

 

Soil

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sterilization Percent Germination
WW 1—._ =F-I‘
Unsterilized

Soil 1.5a 33.5 34.6 41.9 32.8
Sterilized

Soil b5.5. 38.9 36.4 41.1 35.4
Dif?:Steri-

lized -Un- .

sterilized 4.0 4.3 1.8 -.8 2.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Difference required for significance:

(ST 3 r Interaction) 1% level-3.6%
5% level-2.78&

*Each figure is an average of 160-20 seed samples

TABLE XVII

32

INFLUENCE OF SOIL MOISTURE AT DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES

ON THE PERCENT GERMINATION OF

 

Incubation temperature

 

 

Soil Heisture

40° 1. 1

50° F.

 

60° F.I 70° F.

 

Percent Germination

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

60%' 28.84 49.18 49.71 57.4
Diff. 60%
- 70%” 10.50 -25.87 28.37 31.78
Difference required for significance:SM x T Inter-
action 173 level-3.6%

*Each figure is an average of 160-20 seed samples

TABLE XVIII

INFLUENCE OF SEED TREATMENT FOR DIFFERENT SOURCES

OF SEED OF BEANS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source
. A I B C 5
Seed Treatment Peggent Germination
ngzfiggn'lth 32.35. 35.84 46.43 40.46
Untreated 28.96 28.28 29.9 30.68 _______
r‘r-fx—T———-=.‘-a=i==t=== --
-Untreated 3.39 7.56 15.53 9.78

 

T

Difference required for significance: (S x ST. Inter-
' 1% level-3.6%,
5%’1eve1-2.78%

action)

*Each figure is an average of 160-20 seed samples

33

The response of seed from each of the four sources
to soil sterilization is expressed in Table XIX, which
indicates that responses were significant in sources B
and C and not significant in A and D.

Table XX expresses the influence of soil moisture
level on the average percent germination of bean seed from
each of the four sources. All sources germinated better
in soil with a moisture level of 60% than with 70% with
a greater increase in percent germination being obtained
in seed from source 0.

There was an overall increase in percent_germina-
tion of seed treated with Tetrachloroparabenzoquinone and
planted in sterilized soil over the untreated ones. Table
XXI.

Table XXII indicates the influence that seed treat-
ment had on the overall percent germination of seed planted
at different moisture levels. The response to treatment
at both moisture to treatment was practically the same.

Table XXIII expresses the influence of soil
moisture levels on percent germination in sterilized and
unsterilized soil. A higher percent germination occurred
in unsterilized soil with a moisture level of 70% than in
unsterilized soil with the same moisture level. The percent
germination in sterilized soil was greater than in unsteri-

lized soil at the 60% moisture level. However, germination

34

TABLE XIX
INFLUENCE OF SOIL STERILIZATION 0N PERCENT GERMINATION
or BEAN SEEDS FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ Source
L B C I D
Soil Percent GerminatiOn
Sterilization
Ugggirilized 31.15» 29.56 35.84 35.59
Sterilized 31.06. 34.87 40.5 36.34
Soil ..== 3_
Eiff: Steri- 1‘ 3’
lized - Unstery
ilized 8011 -.09 5.31 4.66 .75

 

 

 

 

 

Difference required for significance:(S x S.S.Inter-
action) 1%'1eve1-3.&%
5%’1eve1-2.78%
TABLE XX
INFLUENCE OF SOIL MOISTURE ON THE PERCENT GERMINATION

OF BEAN SEEDS FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES

 

Soil moisture Percent Germination

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

79% 18.21* 21.12 22.09 26.87
sq; 43.59 44.18 53.62 44.21
Diff. 60%’-70% 25.38 23.06 31.53 17.34

 

Difference required for significance: 1% level-3.6%
5%'leve1-2.78%
(S x S.M.Interaction)
* Bach figure is an average Of 160-20 seed samples

35
TABLEHXXI
INFLUENCE OF SEED TREATEEFT IN STERILIZED AND

UNSTERILIZED SOIL ON THE GEREINRTION OF BEANS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seed Treatment

Treated Untreated

Soil Sterilization Percent Germination
Sterilized Soil ..9 34.34* 23.20
Unsterilized Soil . -28.33 24.33

 

 

Difference required for significance:
(ST x S-D. Interaction) 1% level-2.59%
5% level-1.96%

TABLE XXII
EFFECT OF SEED TREATMENT AT DIFFERENT MOISTURE
LEVELS N IE PERCENT GEREINATION OF BEANS

§Sér80n ‘ .
JTreated Untreated

 

 

Percent Moisture ' Percent Germination
60% - 53.054 42.95
70% 27.84 I 16.46

 

 

 

Difference required for significance:
(ST x S M. Interaction)
1% level-2.59%
5% level-1.9&%

* Each figure is an average Of 320-20 seed
samples

56

TABLE XXIII
INFLUENCE OF SOIL MOISTURE IN STERILIZED AND
UNSTERILIZED SOIL OF THE PERCENT

GERMINATION OF BEANS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SoilVSterilization
=_ #3
Unsterilized Sterilized
Soil Soil
Percent .
Moisture ‘ ' 4P32c3n3_flg:minatjnn
70% 22.37* 21.93
60% 43.45 49.1

 

 

 

 

 

Difference required for significance:
(3.8.x S.M. Interaction)
1% level-2.59%
5%bleve1-1.96%

*Each figure is an average of 320-20 seed .
samples

57
in both soils was higher at the 60% moisture level than
at the 70% level.

The average number of days to emergence as
expressed in Tables XXIII (A) and (B) was practically the
same with beans incubated at 40° and 50° F. while the
average number of days to emergence of beans incubated
Hat 60° F was 4 days less than those incubated at 40° and
50° F.

Seeds treated with TetrachlorOparabenzoquinone
germinated slightly slower than the untreated checks;
those in sterilized soil slightly slower than unsterilized
soil; while those planted in soil containing 70% moisture
germinated slightly slower than the ones planted in soil
containing 50% moisture.

There was practically no difference in days to
emergence in lima and common garden beans incubated at
40° F and 50° F. However, in beans incubated at 60° and
70° F the average number of days to emergence in lima
beans was greater than in snap beans, with very little

difference being noted in varieties of snap beans.

58
TABLE XXIII(A)
AVERAGE DAYS TO EMERGENCE OF 10 VARIETIES

OF BEANS AT 4 INCUBATION TEMPERATURES 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temperature
0 0 Average
variety 40° F. 50° F. 50 F. 70 F. for
‘ Variety
Idaho Refugee 18.7 19.0 14.1 8.1 1499
Red Valentine 1904 19.2 14.3 8.5 15.3
Black 0 ,
valentine 19.4 19.1 14.6 8.8 15.4
Tendergreen 19-5 19.4 14.9 9.0 15.7
Rival ' 19.3 18.9‘ 14.4 5.5 - 15.2-
Pencil Pod Wax 19.4 19.0 14.6 9.8 1507
Brittle wax 18.6 18.9 15.8 8.3 14.9
Peerless 19.0 19.1 16.5 10.5 16.3
Henderson Bush 19.5 18.6 17.2 11.8 16.7
Thorogreen 1905 19.4 1706 10.8 16.8
A" f°r Temperatlfifz 19.0 15.2 9.4

 

1 When cotyledons of ballheads and snakeheads had

emerged 1 inch above soil level, the counts were made

on emergence and when primary leaves were formed and

plants stood fairly erect, emergence counts were

made on normal plants.

39

TABLE XXIII(B)

AVERAGE DAYS TO EEEEGEECE
05 10 VARIETIES OF BEANS

 

Soil Sterilization

Seed Treatment

.1
q

5011 Moisture

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non- . I

Steri- Steri- gen-
variety Llized lizei====4=::::::=ireated 70% 60%
RedvalentineL 14.0 17.6 15.1 15.5 16.3 15.1
Black

Valentine 15.4’ 15.5 15.2 15.7 16.3 14.6
Tendergreen ‘ 15.5 ‘15.9 15.3 15.8 16.1 15.3
Rival 15.1 15.5 15.5 15.4 15.9 15.0
Pencil Pod '

Black yax 15.5 16.0 15.7 15.8 16.2 15.3
Peerless *1002 13.8 1105 13.7 11.4 1101
Henderson

Bush 17.7 17.0 17.3 16.8 18.1 16.0
Thorogreen 16.0 16.6 16.8 15.8 17.0 15.8

14.8 15.7 15.1 15.5 15.7 14.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4O
Experiment»l£

The Influence of Variety, Source of Seed, Temper-
ature, and Seed Treatment on Germination and Emergence in

Expanded Mica.

The data obtained with respect to percent germina-
tion of the 320 lots of seeds used in this experiment was
analyzed by the method of analysis of varianceslg) Table
XXIV is a summary table of the analysis for experiment II.
Second order and higher interactions are placed in the
error term. The data on percent germination are arrayed
in tables XXV to XXXIV, respectively and the data on aver-

age number of days to emergence is arrayed in tables XXXV

and XXXVI.

Based on all factors, germination of all lima beans
was considerably lower than that of the common garden beans.
The variety Peerless gave the overall average lowest percent
germination in lima beans and the variety Rival gave the
lowest percent germination of the snap bean varieties tested
(Table xxv).

The influence of incubation temperature on percent
germination is arrayed in Table XXVI and shows that a
higher percent germination was obtained at the higher

temperatures.

. 41

TABLE XXIV

PERCENT GERMINATION IN EXPANDED MICA

ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE SUMMARY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source of Sums of Mean g.
variance D.F. *Squares Square alue Sig.
Total 319 10,169
variety ~9 6,190.50 678.83 156.05 *5
Temperature 3‘ ;695.67“”252T525“"53755 **
Sources 3 *369731"”125.105’ 28.29 **
Seed
Treatment 1 5.52 5.52 1.26 NS
V'x T 27" 1.166.18 ‘ 43.19 9.92 *e
V‘x S '27' ’ 443.44 "16.423 3.77 **
V‘x ST 9 " 42.23 4.629 1.06 NS
T x S 9 167.62 g 18.62 4.28 *4
T 1 ST 3 107.56 35.85 8.24 *4
S x ST 3 0.15 .05 *5
Error 225 980-42 4.55

 

* Significant at 5% level

«5 Significant at 1% level

42

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43

Seed obtained from source 0 germinated on an overall
average better than seed obtained from each of the other
sources, with seed obtained from source A giving lowest
average percent germination. (Table XXVII)

The germination of seed treated with tetrachloro-
parabenzOquinone was slightly more than 1% less than the
untreated checks. (Table XXVIII)

Table XXIV expresses the relative influence of each
of the four incubation temperatures on the percent germina-
tion. There was a pronounced difference between percent
germination of lima beans and common garden beans incubated
at the same temperature, with the difference being more
pronounced at the lower incubation temperatures than at
the other temperatures. There was practically no germina-
tion of the lima bean variety Peerless at incubation
temperatures below 60° F. Germination in the common bean
varieties Tendergreen and Rival was much lower at the 400 F.
incubation temperature than that of the other varieties.
However, with the same varieties incubated at 70° F. the
differences were less pronounced.

Table XXX indicates the influence of source of
seeds on percent germination of each of the ten varieties.
Rest varieties obtained from source 0 germinated better

than varieties dbtained from the other three sources.

However, seeds of Red Valentine, obtained from source A,

44
TABLE XXVI
INFLUENCE OF INCUBATION TENTERATURE ON THE

PERCENT GERMINATION OF BEANS IN EXPANDED MICA

 

Incubation
Tem erature
ercen
Germination
Difference required for significance
1% level-4.29
5%‘1eve1-5.25

   

' 492.12.551.11.”

64.18* 69.12 76.81 84.99

     
 
 

 

 

 

 

*Each figure is an average of 160-20 seed samples

TABLE XXVII
INFLUENCE OF SOURCE ON THE PERCENT GEREINATION
OF BEANS IN EXFANDED MICA

Source 0 A [B lo I D

Percent
Germination 67.95% 69.68 80.68 76.9

 

Difference required for significance
1% level-4.29 -‘
5% level-3.25

*Each figure is an average of 80-20 seed samples

TABLE XXNIII
INFLUENCE OF SEED TREATMENT ON GERMINATION
OF BEANS IN EXPANDED MICA

   

 

Seed

 

 

Treated with I
Treatment 8 or on [Untreated
Percent . . I
Germination 73,12* _74.43

 

 

iEach figure is an average of 160-20
seed samples

45

TABLEJXXLX

INFLUENCE or INCUZBATION TEMPERATURE ON PERCENT

GERlilNATION OF 10 VARIETIES or

BEANS IN EXPANDED MICA

 

Incubatioanemperature

 

H

 

 

40° F. App? P.

 

 

 

60° Elmo F. Average for
of _ Variet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

variety L__ Peecent Germination

Idaho Refugee H 85.75* 85.0 89.37 I 92.5 87.65
BI ck

Rival 60.00 61.87 83.75 85.00 72.65
Pencil Pod

Black wax _ 85.00 ‘ 92.5 88.75 91.87 89.53
Brittle‘ng 87.5 “‘85.87 5.00 95.87 91.55
Peerless 1.25 0.0 6.25 72.5 2000
Henderson Bush 40.00 53.75 50.00 69.37 55.78
Thoro gen 40.00 50.00 71.87 68.12 57.4
Average I" 69.12 76.81

Temperature

68.18

 

 

84.99

 

 

Difference required for'significance: 1% leve1-13.57%

5% level-10.2

*Each figure is an average of 8-20 seed samples

46
TABLE XXX
INFLUENCE OF SOURCE OF SEEDS ON THE PERCENT

GERMINATION OFBEANS IN EXPANDED MICA

 

Source

 

’-

i 4__ L

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A B C + kv. for
15:; :2 ariety
variety Percent Germination
...._E -__—_—.L-_..’—-—..--..; ‘ 12 was;
Idaho Regggg§‘_ 3.13 {86.25 93.75 87.5 87.65‘
Red Valentine 2.5 85.62 85.00 90.62 88.45_
B$§§Egtine '86.87 85.00 100.00 88.12 89.99
Tendergreen 75.00 81.25 96.25 88.12 85.15
Rival 56.87 71.25 87.5 75.0 72.65
1
353:8; €21 83.12 90.62 91.87 92.5 89.52
Egiitle wax fi88.75 86.87 96.25 94.37 91.56
p.3rless 105.0 23.12 22.5 19.37 19.99
Henderson Bush 60.62 43.12 65.62 53.75“ 55.77
Thorogreen 37.5 43.75 68.12 80.00 57.34
67.93 69.68 80.68 76.93 V

 

 

 

 

 

n

Difference required for significance: 3% level-13.57%
5% level-10.2

* Each figure is an average of 8-20 seed samples

47
and Black valentine, obtained from source D, gave higher
average percent germination than seeds obtained from other
sources.

As shown in Table XXXI, seeds of most of the varie-
ties did not germinate any better when treated than the
untreated checks. However, treatment significantly reduced
the germination of Henderson Bush.

The percent germination of seeds obtained from
source 0 was higher than other sources at all incubation
temperatures except 70° F. where the percent germination of
seeds obtained from source D was highest. At all incubation
temperatures except 70° F. and 40° F. the percent germination
of seed obtained from source A Was lower than other'sources,

Table XXIII.

Table XXXIII expresses the influence of seed treat- I

ment at different temperatures and indicates that treat-
ment was not affective on an overall average with seed
germinated in expanded mica.

Table mm gives figures that indicate the
influence of seed treatment on seed obtained from different
sources. No significant increase was noted on sterile media.

The average days to emergence as expressed in Tables
XXXV and XXXVI was practically the same with all varieties

when incubated at 40 and 50° F. However, the average days

48

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49
TABLE m1]:
INFLUENCE OF 1170013171017 TEMPERATURE ON THE
PERCENT GERMINATION 0F BEANS FROM 4 SOURCES

IN EXPANDED MICA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

__L, ‘ggmperature ;_;
75° F. 50°F: 60° F. 70°F: ~
Source Percent Germination
_4A '60.75* 57.0 71.0 83.0
B 59.25 66.5 75.0 78.25
c 72.0 78.75 84.0 88.25
D 65.0 74.25 77.25 90.5

 

Difference required for significance:
1% 1evel-6.38%
5747 15ve1-4.83%

*Each figure is an average of 20-20 seed
samples

TABLE XXXIII
INFLUENCE OF SEED TREATMENT AT DIFFERENT
TEMPERATURES ON THE GERMINATION OF BEANS
IN EXPANDED MICA

 

Temperature

   

, ““—— ~ s.-‘...__~-.

40° F. 50° F. 60° F. 70° F.
W
Seed '

Treat- Percent Germination
ment

 

Treated

» with
SEergon 65.5! 68.87 77.0 85.12

 

Difference required for significance:
1% level-4.29% 5% level-3.25%

*Each figure is an average of 40-20 Seed samples

 

50
TABLE XXXIV
INFLUENCE OF SEED TREATMENT ON PERCENT
GERMINATION OF BEANS FROM

4 SOURCES IN EXPANDED MICA

 

Source

 

 

 

 

Seed Treatment.. . _ Percent Germination

‘ _
-:

 

 

 

Spergon treated 68.62* 67.75 79.5 76.6

 

 

 

Untreated 67.25 71.751 81.87 76.87

 

 

 

 

Required for significance
1% 1ev61-4.297;
5% level-5.25%
*Each figure is an average of 40-20

' seed samples

51

to emergence of limas incubated at 60 and 70° F. was greater
than the common garden beans. The average days to emergence
of beans incubated at 600 F. was 3 days less than those
incubated at 40 or 50° F. while the average days to emer-
gence of beans incubated at 70° F. was 9.2 days less. In
almost all lots treatment with tetrachlorOparabenzoquinone
slightly delayed germination.

The average percent germination of beans planted
in eXpanded mica and subjeCted to the same incubation
temperatures as the lots planted in soil was higher than

that obtained in soil.

52
TABLE XXXV

AVERAGE DAYS TO EMERGENCE OF BEANS

AT FOUR DIFFERENT INCUBATION TEMPERATURES

 

Temperatures

 

Average f3:

40° F. 50° F. 60° F. 70° F. Varietx __

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ghorogreen

Average for
Temperatuge

18.4

18.5

15.5

9.2

variety Average Days to Emergence
' Idaho Refugee — 18.7* '18.6** 15.2 “ 9.3 15.4
Red valentine 18.7 “18.5 15.1 8.9 15.3
3%:figtin. 18.5 - 18.3. -14.9 -‘9.4 15.2
Tendergreen 13.8 e:;§£7 15.5 8-6 15.4
Rival 18.5 ' 18.4‘ _15.5 8.8 15.3
Pencil Pod
Black wax 18.5 18.7 14.9 9.3 15.3
ggittle wax 18.6 *17.9 14.7 8.7 14.9
Peerless 16.5 1970 14.9 9.2. 13.5
Henderson Bush 18.6 18.8 17.2 9.7 16.0
18.7 18.8 17.0 10.1 16.1

W

55

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54

Experimeg; III

The Influence of Variety, Source of Seed, Seed
Treatment, and Planting Under Field Conditions on Germ-

ination and Emergence of Beans.

All data obtained with respect to percent germi-
nation of the 480 lots of seed used in this experiment )
were analyzed by the method of analysis of variance}19
Table XXXVII is a summary table of the analysis for
experiment III. All main plot effects and interactions of
main plot effects are placed in the main plot analysis
summary)with all other effects and interactions being
vplaced in the main plot error term.

Seed treatment effects and first order inter-
actions are placed in the sub-plot analysis with all other
interactions expressed in the sub-plot error term.

The data obtained with respect to percent germina-
tion are arrayed in Tables XXXVIII to XLV, respectively, and

the data on average number of days to emergence are arrayed

in Table XLVI.

The percent germination of seed planted May 30, 1949,
when soil temperatures were moderately high, germinated on
an overall average of 13.67 percent higher than seed planted

Kay 14, 1949, when soil temperatures were moderately low.

55
TABLE XXXYII
PERCENT GERMINATION IN FIELD ANALYSIS

0? VARIAHCE SUMMARY

 

Source of
variation D;F. Sums of Squares Sean Square b.Value Sig.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total - -479 284,882.45
main Plots ,‘ 1' 1‘ ‘ '“' ' -' ' . .
Planting Date 1"' 22,399.67 - 22,399.67 24.85 ..
Replication 1 2.27 2.27 .0025 NS
VARIETY' 9 -129,267.30 13, 918. 58 15. 43 ..
VB: 9.1). ‘ E 15,695.13; 1,488.M NS
p.3‘xs 8 275.81 91.27 .1009 us
3 x v ' 27 - ‘ 11.899444 451MB NS
Main Plot

Error 106 951598.38 901.87
Sub-plots
Seed

Treatment 2 26,757.61 13,378.8 10.21 ..
81 x P.D. 2 1,582.55 791.27 6.04 ..
sr x'v _g 18 16,809.85 935. 88 7.13 **
sr x s .1 _~ 6Ah‘ 113 3091521-.11.2-°34-3§_ 19959-". ff

       

Sub-pIOt
Error 292 38,239.05 130.95

*fiSignificant at 1%‘1eve1
*Significant at 5% level

56
The influence of planting date is expressed in figures in

Table XXXVIII.

Table XXXVIII(A) expresses the relative influence
of source of seed on the percent germination of beans under
field conditions. As shown in the table, bean seed obtained
from source 0 gave a higher percent germination than those
obtained from each of the other sources.

Table XXXIX expresses the relative influence of
variety on percent germination. The results indicate that
less than 50% germination was obtained in lima bean varieties
Peerless and Thorogreen and only slightly above 50% with
Henderson Bush. Varieties Brittle Wax and Rival gave
lower average percent germination in the field than other
varieties, with the varieties Red Valentine and Black
Valentine giving the highest average percent germination.

The relative influence of planting date on each of
the 10 varieties is expressed in Table XL. The percent
germination of the variety Brittle wax and all lime
varieties was highly significantly higher in the second
planting than the first. The percent germination of all

varieties was higher during the second planting but with the
exception of the above mentioned varieties there were no
significant increases. The lowest percent germination
occurred with lima bean varieties at both plantings. Brit-

tle wax.germinated poorer than other common bean varieties

57
TABLE xxxv111
INFLUENCE or PLANTING DATE on PERCENTAGE GERMINATION

or Bolus UNDER FIELDCONDITIQNS

 

Planting Date

 

Planting I 5/14/1949 . Planting II 5/50/1949

W
‘Percent Germination

 

..60.55*§. .- A 74.2

 

Difference required for significance:
1% level-6.99% 5% level-5.33%
*Each figure is an average of 240-100 seed
samples

TABLE XXXVIII(A)
INFLUENCE OF SOURCE or SEED onions GERMINATION
or BEANS UNDER.FIELD CONDITIONS

 

Source

 

A 1 B ‘C D
A _. "9" 1: 4mg:
Percent Germination

 

 

 

 

 

60.07% 62.27 74.58 69.4

 

Difference required for significance:
1% level-9.97% sz’ieve1-7.8%

*Each figure is an average of 120-100 seed
samples

58

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59
TABL3.XL

INFLUENCE OF PLANTING DATE ON PERCENT GERMINP TION OF BEANS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Planting
Planting I Planting II Difference

Variety Percent Germination
Idaho RGfugee 11cm 6 32:54 6:5
Red Valentine 83.33 87.95 4.62
Black Valentine 80.37 85.2‘ 4.33
Tendergreen 79.25 82.91 3.66
Rival 60.0 75.1 13.10
Pencil Pod wax 78.79 81.45 2.66
Brittle we: 62.1 80.2 18.1
Peerless 25.16 56.87 51.91
Henderson Bush 40.0 51.91 21.91
Thorqgreeg_ ‘ 25.55 55.21 29.88
Average for

P.D. 60.5 71.2 13.7

 

Difference re uired for significance:
1 level-15.7
5% level-11. 5
*Each figure is an average of 24-100 seed samples

60
during the first planting but was better than Idaho
Refugee and Rival during the second planting. However, they
did not germinate significantly betternthan Rival or Idaho
Refugee.

Table XLI expresses the relative influence of plant-
ing date on the percent germination of seed obtained from
different sources. The relationships that existed during
the first planting prevailed during the second planting,
with seed obtained from source C being highly significantly
better than seed obtained from source A and significantly

better than seed obtained from source B at each planting.

Seed treated with tetrachlorOparabenzoquinone
and planted in the field germinated on an overall average
of 4.85 percent higher than the cheeks, while those coated
germinated on an average of 12.81 percent lower than the
untreated checks! Therefore, coating decreased the overall
percent germination and tetrachlorcparabenzoquinone treat.
ment increased significantly the overall percent germination,
Table XLII.

Table XLIII expresses the influence of seed treat-
ment at different planting dates on percent germination of
beans under field conditions. The overall average increase

in percent germination of seed treated with tetrachloro-

parabenzOquinone and planted May 14, 1949, was 7.7% higher

81
TABLE JCLI
INFLUENCE OF PLANTING DATE 0N PERDENT GERMINATION
0E DIFFERENT SOURCES OF BEANS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sgfirce
A B C D
Planting ' '~ - Percent Germination
I 5/14/19 , . 55.4. 56.1 . 66.7 64.1
II 5/30/1949 , .:,.. 68.8 .69.9 82.5 75.7
:".._"=:w fi
Av. for Source ‘ 6201 63.0 74.6 69.9

 

Required for Significance: 1% leve1-9.97%
5% level-7. 6%
*Each figure is an average of 60-100 seed samples

TABLE X'LII
INELUENCE 0F SEED TREITNETNT 0N PERCENT
CERIIINATION 0F BEANS UNDER EIEID CONDITIONS

 

 

 

Seed

Treatment Checks Spergon Treated Coated
Percent ‘

Germination 70.05* 74.9 57.24

 

Difference required for significance:
1% level-2.67%
5% level-2.04%

eEach figure is an average of 160-100 Seed
samples

62

TABLE XLIII

INFLUENCE OF SEED TREATMENT AT DIFFERENT

PLANTING DATES ON PERCENT GERMINATION

OF BEANS UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS

 

Seedwtreatment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Checks_ Spergon Treated Coated
——-—=fi J
Planting ‘ PercentGermination
Planting I
5/14/49 ’ 6098* 68.5 ‘ 520‘
Planting II
5/30/49 79.2 - 81.4 62.0

 

 

 

‘1'

Required for significance:

1% level-2.67
5% level-2.04

*Each figure is an average of 80-100 seed
samples

63
than the untreated checks, and germination in the coated
seeds was reduced by 8.4%. However, seed treated and
planted‘May 30, 1949 germniated only on an'overall average
of only 2.2% higher than the untreated checks, while
germination in the coated seed was reduced by 7.2%.

Table XLIV expresses the influence of seed treat-
ment on the percent germination of each of the 10 varieties.
Coating had the effect of reducing germinationin all
varieties except Brittle wax; however, the percent of the
coated seed was not as high as the seed treated with Sper-
gon. Coating had the most pronounced detrimental effect
on lima bean varieties. Spergon treatment caused all
varieties except Idaho Refugee, Red Valentine, and Black
Valentine to show an increase in percent germinatiai.

The influence of seed treatment on percent germ-
ination of seed from each of the f>ur sources is expressed
in Table XLV and indicates that the coating material used
on seeds obtained from sources A and B was relatively more
detrimental on germination than that used on sources C
and D, while there was an increase in germination of Spergon
treated seed over the untreated checks in seed obtained

from source C.

64

TABLE XLIv

INFLUENCE OF SEED TREATMENT ON THE BERGEN

GERMINATION OF DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF

Isms UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS,

 

Seed Treatment

 

Untreated Spergon

Average for

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Checks Treated Coated Variety
; Percent Germination
Idaho Refugee""81.75*‘ ‘78.06' 63.06 74.5
Red valentine ' ‘89.06” §$.82 79.0 ‘86.!
Black
Valentine ‘87.68 87.56“' T4.0 83.1
Tendergreen 82.75' 86.62 73.8 ‘74.1
Rival 66.66 ' 69.06 63.93 66.5
D Eggcil Pod wax 84.00 86.18 "70.18 72.9
Brittle wax' 60.06 ' 80.5 76.12 66.6
Peerless. 42.18 51.25 29.62 41.0
Henderson Bush ‘60.25 67.5 25.12 53.6
Thorogreen 46.12 54.06 20.62 40.0
Av. for Treat
ments 70.05 74.9 57.24

 

Difference required for significancezl‘,level-10.38

5% level-7.91

*Each figure is an average of 16-100 seed samples

65
TABLE XLv
INFLUENCE OF SEED TREATMENT ON PERCENT
GERMINATION DE SEED FROM EACH OF SOURCES.

UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source

A B C p D
Seed
Treatment Percent Germination
Checks 67.2* 71.4 72.4 69.2
Spergon
Treated~ , 71.5 74.1 80.2 74.0
Coated 47.6 43.5 71.2 66.6

 

Required for significance:
1% level-11.9%
5%‘1eve1-9.1%

*Each figure is an average of 40-100
seed samples

'6'.

Table XLVI gives the average number of days t0
emergence of each variety planted in the field. There was
little variation in number of days to emergence with respect
to common garden beans. However, lima beans were slower
germinating than common garden beans. Coating delayed
germination during the first planting by 1.3 days and
during the second planting by .6 days.

Based on an average of all seed and all treat-
ments, the average time to emergence during the second

planting was 6.9 days less than during the first planting.‘

67
TABLE xnvr
AVERAGE DAYS TO EEERGENCE'QE 10 VARIETIES

0F BEANS UNDER FIELD coNDITIOEs

 

Planting

 

First Planting,5/l4/49 Second Planting,5/30/49

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*ET {STEP NT ST 0 Av
variety Average Days to Emergence
. . JAWS 15.2 16.1 15.3 8.9 8.9 9.8 9.2
Idaho Refugee
Black -
Valentine' 14.1 15.1 16.8 15.3 8.5 8.7 8.9 8.7
Tendemreen £503 15.4 16.8 15.8 9.7 808 9.4 9.3
RiV’al £505 1504 16.3 15.8 8.4 8.6 9.0 806
Pencil Pod waxh5.1 15.0 16.8 15.6 8.3 8.6 8.7 8.5
Brittle wax' L6.l 15.8 16.7 16.2 8.3 ‘ 8.5 9.0 8.6
P.3r1e88 L805 1702 1805 18.0 909 l0.1 1006 1002
Henderson Bushl7.3 17.1 18.6 17.6 9,9 10,1 11.5 10.5
Thorogreen 17.4 17.4 18.5 17.7 10.6 10.4 11.1 10.6
Av. for J 1
Treatment 15.8 15.8 17.1 16.2 9.1 fi9.1 9.7 9.3

 

 

 

 

* NT-No Treatment
ST-Spergon Treated
C OCoated
szAverage

68
TABLE XLVII
SUMMARY’TABLE 0E PERCENT EEREINATIOE

CF BEANS IN’EACH OF THE THREE TESTS

 

Artificial

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Variety Soil test Sterile Media Field Av.
' a Test a Test
Idaho Refugee‘ "4§.8 82-6. 71.3.,“52.2
Red valentine 45.03 ‘ 88.4 84.8 72.7
Black
valentine 49.8‘ 89.9 83.1 74.2
Tendergreen '4149" 84.6 '74.1 66.8
Rival 33.3 72.6" 66.5 57.4
Pencil Pod
wax ‘50.8 89.5 72.9 71.0
Brittle wax 26.6 91.5 66.6 61.0
Peerless~ '5.6 " 20.0 41.0 ' 22.2
Henderson Bush 25.9 55.7 53.6 45.0
Thorogreen 16.9 57.4 40.0 38.1
34.09 73.7 65.6

Av. for Tests

69
DISCUSSION

The aim in'the studies here reported has been
to investigate the influence of variety, source of seed,
and several environmental factors, namely tenperature,
germinating medium, and soil moisture, on the germ-
ination of beans. In addition.to studying these influ-
ences, studies were undertaken to determine whether
through chemical seed treatment germination may be in-
creased under adverse environmental conditions.

The experimental data give evicence which shows
that the delay in emergence and the reduced percent
ga'mination in bean seed may be associated wifii low soil
temperature, which cause longer exposure of the seed to
attack by soil pathogens. However, source of seed and
variety had a great deal of influence on the percent
germination.

These studies indicated the necessity of germ-
inating bean seed at an Optimum temperature if good
stands are to be obtained. It is possible that oxygen
supply might cause a difference in germination, and that
also differences in soil moisture resulting in differences
in soil temperature might also be involved. For
example, bean seed incub ted in expanded mica which was

well aerated germinated much better at all temperatures

70
than seed incubated in soil which.was compact.
Statements to the effect that any temperature
below optimum decreases germination and retards the rate
of emergence in seed are found in much of the literature
on vegetable growing. .Kotowski (l2) showed in his work
that the optimum temperature for germination and most rapid

rate of emergence in beans was in the r nge of 70° to

In our investigations the temperature fer germina-
tion did not exceed 800 F., either in the controlled temper—
ature chambers or in the field, but results indicated that
beans incubated at the higher temperatures (700 F. in
controlled temperature chambers and 80° F. under field
conditions) germinated faster and at a higher percentage
than seed incubated at 400 F., 50° F., and 60° F. These
results are in accord with the findings of Harrington(8)
who states that the smallest number of days required for,
the production of bean seedlings in soil was four days and
that beans produced the first seedlings in the smallest
number d' days during the moderately warm weather of may
and June. Apparently germination did not occur in bean
seeds incubated at 400 and 500 F., until fliey were moved
to the greenhouse where temperatures were higher. (Tables

XXIII A and B and XXXVI).

71

Several points stand out clearly after a stidy of
the data showing the influence of temperaUIre on the
germination of different varieties in different media. It
is particularly interesting to note the very marked
influence of relatively low incubation temperatures (40°-
500 F.) for 10 days on the germination and emergence in
soil as compared with that in eXpanded mica. For example,
the ovi'all average germination of seed incubated at 400
in soil was only 23.5% while those incubated in expanded
mica gave an av rage of 64%. The overall average percent
germination of seed incubated at 50° F. in soil was only
36.4% while seed incubated in expanded mica gave an
average of 69.1% germination.

Factors observed whidi may have caused lower germ-
ination in soil than occurred in expanded mica may have
been: (1) soil compaction, (2) high moisture, (3) poor
aeration, and (4) the presence of soil pathogens which
caused decay of the seed.

From the evidence at hand, it seems clear that
some change took place in seed incubated at low temper-
atures which did not take place at high temperatures.

In the case of seeds subjected to relatively low temper-
atures for diort periods, some change must have taken

placé during the IOW-temperature treatment in expanded

72
mica which was altogether different from.the changes or
influences of soil and temperature on seed incubated in
soil.

The nature of the changes brought about by the
low temperature treatment was not determined, but compar-
ative data and observations indicate the possibility of
‘the presence of soil organisms which.may have caused
decay of seeds in the soil. However, some molds were
observed growing on seeds of the lima bean varieties and
the common bean varieties Brittle'Wax and Tendergreen in
eXpanded mica.

Considering all varieties and all facts-s involved,
the relative percent germination of all lima beans was
significantly lower than the common garden beans, wifli
Peerless giving the lowest percent germination. However
three varieties of common beans-~Brittle Wax, Rival, and
Tendergreen showed a significantly lower percentage germ-
ination than the others.

In view of the fact that significantly poorer
germination was associated with the seed of the above
mentioned varieties at low temperature, it seems possible
that there may be a definite relationship between seed
coat color and susceptibility to decay organism, since

111 varieties mentioned above are either black or ten and

73
white or varying from black to tan with large white spots.
This, of course, does not prove that tlere is any causal
relation between seed-coat color and susceptibility to
soil borne diseases. It may be that some other factor or
factors, not determined, was the cause, and seed-coat
color may have been associated with this factor causing
germination. However, when these same varieties were
incubated at low temperatures in expanded mica, a sterile
media, germination was as good or better than the varieties
Black Valentine, Red Valentine, Idaho Refugee, and Pencil?
Pod wax which had predominantly black or red seed coats.
It was observed however, that as soon as the variety Rival
imbibes water, the seed coats burst thereby leaving the
naked embryo uncovered and Open to infection.

Results of influence of soil moisture indicates
that 70' soil moisture is above Optimum for bean germina-
tion, as better germination was obtained at 60% moisture
than at 70%. Observations revealed that molds grow more
profusely on sterilized soil with a moisture content of
70% than on soil Wih.a moisture conten: of 60% and more
damping-off occurred at the 70? moisture kavel. Alfllough
determinations were not made on the oxygen content of each

soil, it is probable that oxygen was less abundant in the

0.30

74
soil with the 70% moisture than in the soil with the 60%
moisture. All varieties except Peerless germinated
significantly better at the 60% moisture level. Table XXIII)

The response to chemical seed treatment was
greatest at 500 F. in soil, and germination was improved
markedly in the varieties Thorogreen, Brittle‘fiax, and
Tendergreen, and germination was significantly increased
in all other varieties except Henderson Bush, Peerless,
and Pencil Pod Black Wax. The data from all studies indi-
cate that seeds that are susceptible to soil disease organ-
isms respond to seed treatment bes whereas seeds that are
less susceptible give less response. The great response
to seed treatment at 50° F. may be due to the fact that
disease organisms are_quite active at this temperature.

Soil sterilization significantly improved the
germination of Idaho Refugee and Brittle Wax, but did not
significantly improve the germination of other varieties.
These facts indicvte a possibility which may exist in
which the varieties which give significant increases may
be highly susceptible to certain organisms, which are present
in soil and killed by sterilization, thereby resulting in
significant increases in germination. The significant
inc ease in germination of seed in sterilized soil at 50° F.
here again may be due to the less activity of organisms
at this temperature.

Results from all three experiments show that seed

75

source had a marked influence on percent germination.
Seed obtained from source C germinated on an overall
average at a higher percentage than seed obtained from the
other three sources. However, germination was not signif-
icantly higher than germination of seed obtained from source
D. It seems probable that the differences in germination
may be due to: (l) the condiaions under which seed were
grown (2) harve ting technique (3) and mefilods of sb.rage.

It should be noted that the production of seed-
lings in soil involves not only germination of the seed
but the penetration of the soil by the seedlings--a process
which is influenced by the vigor of the seedlings and may
be retarded by excessively high temperatures. However,
the higher rate of emergence and higher percentage germ-
ination at the highest temperatures in each of the eXperimen;s
is a result of a higher rate of metabolic activity at the
higher temperatures which enables the seed to germinate
before soil pathogens attach severely enough to cause decay.
It should be noted that when any severe Check in rate of
emergence occurred whether in the field test or in soil
test in the greenhouse, the use of the seed treatment
chemical tetrachlorOparabenzoquinone significantly increased
germination of seed over that of the untreated checks.

On the other hand, when conditions were favorable for rapid

76

germination the increases were not as significant.

The detrimental effect of coating was more severe
on lima bean varieties than on common garden bean varieties.
However, there was an increase in the germination of coated
beans of the variety Brittle‘Hax over the uncoated checks
but germination was lower than the Spergon treated beans.
This is in accord with McGuffey's (l4) findings in which
he reported that coated wax beans germinated slightly higher
than uncoated ones. However, different coating materials
vere used in his experiments. Results show that the coating
material used on sources A and B decreased germination by
23.8fi'whereas the coating material used on sources C and
D decreased germination by only 1.9%. The cause of this
variation was not determined. It is possible that the
amount of superphosphate used could have caused the harmful
effect on germin tion along with.phosphorus containing
parathion which was used to coat sources A and B.

Coating delayed germination during the first field
planting by 1.3 days Whereas during the second planting
germination was delayed only by 0.6 days. This was probably
due to increased moisture of the soil during the second
planting since dry weather prevailed during the first
planting. Other factors which.may have caused decreased
germination and delayed emergence in coated seed could

possibly have been (1) decreased water absorption, (2) a

7?

reduced gaseous exchange and (3) too high a concentration
of some of the chemicals used in the coat.

Comparative data from the experiments show that
the germinating medium had a significant effect on the
germination of beans. For example, the overall percent
germination in eXpanded mica was significantly higher than
that obtained in the field and nearly doubled that obtained
in soil in flats. However, some varieties responded
differently and no definite conclusions are drawn as to

what caused these effects.

78

CONCLUSIONS

Delay in emergence and reduction in percent

germination in bean seed may be associated with low soil

temperatures, high soil moisture, and goor soil structure

whi ch may

cause longer exiosure of the seed to attack by

soil pathogens.

On the basin of 2080 observations involving 10

varieties

of beans in 3 experiments, the following con-

clusions relative to the influence of variety, source of

seed, and

environmental conditions on germination and rate

of emergence in bean seed appear warranted:

1

(0

Lima beans give very low percent germination

when incubated for 10 days at temperatures

below 70° F. The variety Peerless showed the
lowest percentage germination.

The influence of temperature was quite variable.
The varieties Brittle Wax, Tendergreen, and Rival
were affected most by low temperature, whk:h caused
them to give a poorer percentage germination due
to possible susceptibility to soil pathogens .
Higher germination was obtained in seed treated
with tetrachlorOparabenzoquinone (Spergon) than in
untreated seed.

The shorter the number of days to emergence, the

less effective k3 Spergon treatment.

79
5 The highest percent germination in soil was

obtained With 60% moisture.

03

Better germination was attained in expanded mica

than in the field, or in soil in flats.

7 Coating reduced germination in all varieties
except Brittle‘Wax, with lima beans being most
seriously affected by the process.

8 The variety of lima beans Peerless did not

germinate appreciably when incubated in temper-

atures below 60° F. whether in soil, expanded

mica, or in the field.

Observations revealed a possible relation between
seed—coat color and the ability of seed to withstand adverse
weather conditions which result in longer exposures of the
seed to soil pathogens. While no definite conclusions are
drawn from these observations, the possibility exists that

the pigment might contain anti-biotic properties.

80
LITERATURE CITED

1 Clark, Ben E., Comparative laboratory and field
germination of onion seed. Proc. Assoc. Off. Seed
Analysts E. Amer. 34: 90-91. 1943.

2 Cracker, Wm., The role of seed coats in delayed
germination. Bot. Gaz. 42:265-291.

3 Crosier, W}, Materials and methods in controlling
seed-contaminating microorganisms. Proc. Assoc. Off.
Seed Analysts_N. Amer. p. 104-108.-1942.

4 Cunningham, Sharvell, E.G., Organic seed protectants
for lima beans. PhytOpath. 30:4 1940.

5 Felix,E.L., TetrachlorOparabenzoquinone, an effective
organic seed protectant. PhytOpath. 32:4 1942.

6 Fuhr, Clara, Summary of two years of research of seed
germination in soil at the Missouri Laboratory. Proc.
Assoc. Off. Seed Analysts. Pp. 263-265, 1933.

7 Goss, w.L., Germination of the Fordhook lima bean.
Proc. Assoc. Off. Seed Analysts. N. Amer. Pp. 52-54
1955.

8 Harrington, G.T., Use of alternating temperatures on
the germination of seeds. Jour. Agri. Res. 23:
295-332. 1923.

9 Hey, W.D., Laboratory and field germination of infected
beans: effectiveness of seed treatment. Proo. Assoc
Off. Seed Analysts. N. Amer. Pp. 80-82, 1931.

10 Horsfall, J.G., A water soluble protectant fungicide
with tenacity. PhytOpath 53: 1095-1097, 1943.

11 Johnson, J.C., The influence of heated soils on seed
germination and plant growth. Soil Sci. 7: 1087. 1919.

12 Kotowski, Felix, Temperature relations to germination
of vegetable seed. Proo. Amer. Soc. Hort. Pp. 176-184
1926.

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

81

Leukel, R.W., Recent deve10pments in seed treatment.
Bot. Rev. 14: 235-269.1948.

McGuffey, W.C., Effect of pelleting on the germination
of vegetable seeds. A thesis. Michigan State Sollege.
1949.

chew G.L., Relative effectiveness of organic and
inorganic fungicides as seed protectants. PhytOpath.
33:9. 1943.

Munn, M.T., Comparing field and laboratory germination
tests. Proc. Assoc. Off. Seed Analysts. N. Amer.
p. 89. 1932.

Seavers, F.J., and Clark,E.D., 1910 studies on
phrOphilous fungi. IIChanges brought about by
heating of soil and their relation to the growth
of pyronema and other fungi. Mycologia V. II p. 109-124.

Shull, C.A., The oxygen minimum and germination of
Xanthium seeds. Bot. Gas. 52: 453-477.

Snedecor, George W., Statistical Mbthods. Iowa State
College Press, 4th Ed. 485 P. 1946.

Thompson, H.C., Vegetab1e Cr0ps. Textbook. McGraw Hill
Book Company. Pp. 83-85. 1939.

Tools, V.K;, Miles, E.F., and Toole, EoH., Soil
Moisture in relation to beet seed germination. Proc.
Assoc. Seed. Analysts. N.5mer. Pp. 127-133. 1947.

walker, J.C., Vegetable seed treatment. Bot. Rev. 14:
588-601. 1948.

Whetzel, H.H., Lecture text. Debery's pythium damping-
off. Cornell Univ. Revision of Jan. 1942.

Ft ‘6 .54
[MR 15 1961

ROOM USE ONLY
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