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Norton, MA

Hi. I'm going to be coming into posession of some OLD (late 70's) AG seeds that I really want to try to grow and am wondering how I would get them to germinate. There are a few colleges with great agricultural science divisions near me, should I take them to one of those? CAN I TRUST ONE OF THOSE TO SEE THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE SEEDS? I will most likely be getting a few more than a few so I will try at least a couple in my own germination box, which has never failed me. Any input appreciated, Thanks, AleX Noel.

1/17/2006 9:05:14 PM

milford, CT,

Alex, Talk to Steve Jepsen (tremor). He has had some luck germinating older seeds. I'm not sure what the technique was but I know he used some Gibberlic Acid additive to help.

1/17/2006 9:49:53 PM

[email protected]

I've gotten old seeds to pop but not this old. Everything I've done alone has had mostly entact embryos as judged by weight. X-Rays are used to determine the estimated viability of really rare & valuable seeds.

Age tends to dry the embryo out. The starches needed to sustain pre-photosynthetic growth will be lowered or perhaps entirely gone.

The genetics can be coaxed out anyway. Giberellic acid & a mild potassium nitrate solution are used to pop the seed. But without the needed carbs, the seedling needs to go right into an agar solution. This will support growth of the developing seedling as well as every moldy disease you can imagine.

So this whole process should be conducted in a sterile lab environment.

One of our club members has access to such a plant propagaion lab & might be popping some 1976 seeds for us this spring (if they're still good).

What kind of seed stocks did you get a hold of?

1/17/2006 11:18:39 PM

Ohio

What oldies you going to try Alex?

Brooks

1/18/2006 5:23:26 PM

Norton, MA

Not exactly sure on the specific seeds, from the Dills, and old. Should be getting here in the next couple weeks-months. I'll e-mail you Tremor. AleX Noel.

1/18/2006 6:11:17 PM