On the Viable Seeds Present in the Soil Beneath Pastures

摘要: A KNOWLEDGE of the seeds present in soil beneath different types vegetation is great value consideration some ecological problems which underlie agricultural practice and essential studying effects on plant population interspecific competition cultivation. Such knowledge largely still an unrealised desideratum agriculture ecology. study seed content pasture arable soils has been made by Dr W. E. Brenchley (1), who found that a close association existed between buried flora history soil. Soils underlying permanent had continuously closely grazed for many years were relatively deficient any sort, but marked difference was noticeable if land previously under cultivation, evidence being obtained weeds may retain their viability as long 58 years. In at time sampling, more varied occurred greater numbers. More recently Warington (2, 3) investigated considerable detail again treatment (in respect manures cultivation) received. The most species showed periodicity germination, majority seedlings appearing during autumn winter few late spring summer. definite indication period natural dormancy germination would not occur even favourable conditions; distinction this phenomenon induced maintained conditions unsuited to germination. later work no attention given soils. These researches have shown how interesting are results be field; nevertheless li.ttle critical nature carried out scale other investigators country. This possibly due laborious such experiments extensive glasshouse accommodation demanded; it is, however, regretted since obviously undesirable generalise from with fields single district. Natural has, demonstrated several workers tests taken directly plants (7, 10, 11),