by Jim Turner » Thu Apr 04, 2002 1:00 am
Oh dear. I suppose now I have to make room for a ruminant.
Seriously, the effect on germination was significant. None of the 2400 control seeds germinated. Germination of the seeds fed to the cows depended on how early in the season they were fed, whether the seeds were stratified, and whether the seeds were left in the droppings or washed. The earlier in the season the seeds were fed, the better they germinated. The unstratified seeds germinated better than stratified ones. Seeds left in the droppings germinated better than seeds that were washed. The unwashed unstratified seeds in the first batch of the season had 53.2% germination.
Since seeds left in the droppings germinated better than washed seeds, perhaps exposure to the droppings is more important than passing through the cow's digestive tract. This could be tested by collecting fresh cow droppings and planting rose seeds in them. Anyone want to do the experiment?
Oh dear. I suppose now I have to make room for a ruminant.
Seriously, the effect on germination was significant. None of the 2400 control seeds germinated. Germination of the seeds fed to the cows depended on how early in the season they were fed, whether the seeds were stratified, and whether the seeds were left in the droppings or washed. The earlier in the season the seeds were fed, the better they germinated. The unstratified seeds germinated better than stratified ones. Seeds left in the droppings germinated better than seeds that were washed. The unwashed unstratified seeds in the first batch of the season had 53.2% germination.
Since seeds left in the droppings germinated better than washed seeds, perhaps exposure to the droppings is more important than passing through the cow's digestive tract. This could be tested by collecting fresh cow droppings and planting rose seeds in them. Anyone want to do the experiment?