RELATION OF WATER TO THE GERMINATION OF CORN AND COTTON SEEDS

Abstract

In this quantitative study the following seeds were selected Zea mays vars. Yellow Dent, "Sure Cropper," and Gehu Flint; Gossypium hirsutum vars. Rogers Acala, 1940, Rogers Acala, 1941, and Drought Resistant #293. The seeds were sterilized with 0.01% HgCl2 soln., rinsed in sterile dist. water, and allowed to germinate on wet filter paper in Petri dishes at room temp. (25-30 C). At 24-hr. intervals (0,24,48, 72,96 hrs.) of germination, seeds were dissected into their seed organs. The percentage of water was detd. on similar parts of 20 seeds of each kind and expressed on absolute basis. The amt. and percentage of water absorbed by the entire seed were detd. by the same methods. The study shows: seeds differ in percentage of initial 24 hr. water intake and of final 96-hr. water absorption; each organ of the seed plays one or more roles in seed germination; apparently seeds exist with mesic, hydric, or xeric germination adaptations or tendencies thereto; any adaptation of seeds to germination under mesic, hydric or xeric conditions seems to be in the germination water requirements of the "growing parts" of the embyro and in the imbibitional capacity of the cotyledons or cotyledons and endosperm to absorb and store water for use by the growing portion of the embyro as needed. Varietal differences appear in germination water requirements of seeds of the 3 vars. of Zea mays and the 2 vars. of G. hirsutum tested.