seed germination

[bluebellParticipant]

Interesting 5 minutes last night on Radio 4 inside science about seed germination. Basically that in the wild a plant will try to produce different seeds that are predisposed to germinate at different times and under different conditions to ensure its continued existence and that one of the biggest tasks for commercial seed producers is to try to produce conformity of germination.
I was a little disappointed that they did not then extend the conversation to what I would see as the inevitable lack of diversity resulting in plants potentially being less able to deal with extreme years and climate change?

It is in the last 10 minutes if you want to listen on I player.

[StringfellowParticipant]

Thanks Bluebell, very interesting. A ditty for the weekend.

[RhysParticipant]

Bluebell

I guess it depends on seed longevity too: if seeds can be dormant for three or four years, pretty good chance that some new seed will be created in one of those summers?

[Author]

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