WONDER OF GERMINATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 188, 11 August 1939, Page 6

WONDER OF GERMINATION.

CENTURIES-OLD SEEDS SPROUT.

Oriental lotus seeds estimated to be between MOD and .">OO years old have recently germinated at the Eiekl Museum of Natural History. Chicago. So far as can be ascertained. this represents the longest duration of delayed germination in the world, states Dr. B. E. Dahlgrrn, the American botanist. The oft-repeated story of the germination of wheat from, the Egyptian pyramids is now known to be erroneous—the germinating grain in that instance was derived from straw packing in which the Egyptian specimens were being shipped to Europe.

The seeds which have germinated in Chicago come from a peat bed in southern Manchuria, buried by top soil for several centuries. The locality where they originated lV- about two hours' journey from Port Arthur. At the time the seeds were produced hv Nature there existed a small lake, about two square miles in area, coyered with red lotus flowers identical with the species commonly found in Asia to-day.

Records show that this lake was drained some time between 160 and 200 years ago. Wind-drifted soil then gradually covered the area, and trees and other land vegetation began to grow. In the basin to-day are large poplars, willows and almonds. One of the poplars measures four feet in diameter, and trees that, have been cut down show at least 120 annual rings.

These trees aid in establishing the minimum age of the lotus seeds, thousands of which have l>een uncovered beneath the soil bed in which the trees grow. The lower stratum containing the seeds is a peat bed that once was the bottom of the lake. The seeds resemble small dark brown acorns. Their coats are hard as glass and highly polished. These outer covers are so impervious that the embryos inside have t>een protected through the centuries from weathering. changes of water and variations in oxygen supply. Thus the seeds have been protected a gain.- 1 be -oming fossilised, and have been preserved in a living state. In order to germinate the seeds, some of them were first subjected to immersion in dilute sulphuric acid—germination took place within a week. Others placed in water several niontlfs ago. without the acid treatment, to date show only a considerable swelling.

The American lotus is known to retain its vitality for a long time. It is not unusual for seeds to germinate after 30 to 40 years. The oriental lotus is a different plant not only from this, but even from the so-called Egyptian lotus, the latter being a water lily (Xymphea) with floating leaves.

Lotus plants, do not flower or fruit until the second or third year, when they have developed a thick underground rootstalk. The oriental seedling plant in question has lately been transferred from the Field Museum for further care to Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago.