RELATION OF WATER TO THE GERMINATION OF BEAN SEEDS

Abstract

Seeds of Phaseolus lunatus var. Florida Speckled Butter, P. coccineus var. rubronanus, P. vulgaris var. Pinto, and Glycine max var. Arksoy #2913 differ in the total amt. of water absorbed and in the rates of absorption. Different organs of the seed play one or more roles in the germination process. The seeds apparently possess slight degrees of adaptation to germination in mesic, hydric, and xeric conditions, and varietal differences appear in the water absorbing capacity of seeds of the vars. of beans tested.