Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science
Volume 26 Annual Issue Article 34
1919
Studies upon the Absorption and Germination of Wheat Treated Studies upon the Absorption and Germination of Wheat Treated
with Formaldehyde with Formaldehyde
A. L. Bakke Iowa State College
H. H. Plagge Iowa State College
Copyright ©1919 Iowa Academy of Science, Inc.
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Recommended Citation Recommended Citation Bakke, A. L. and Plagge, H. H. (1919) "Studies upon the Absorption and Germination of Wheat Treated with Formaldehyde," Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science, 26(1), 365-375. Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/pias/vol26/iss1/34
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STUDIES UPON THE ABSORPTION AND GERMINATIONOF WHEAT TREATED WITH FORMALDEHYDE.
A. L. BAKKE AND H. H. PLAGGE.
Treating wheat with formaldehyde to prevent the covered orstinking smut of wheat is a general practice wherever wheat is
grown. Henderson,1 Burmester2, Johnson3 and Brittlebank4 havesubmitted results of germination tests where wheat has been soakedfor varying periods, with the purpose of obtaining safe limits wherethe fungus is killed, while the seed is left intact. Naturally this isthe important conception from the practical standpoint. But admitting this to be the case there are still many fundamental propositions which are still open for solution and of equal import to thepractical phases of grain treating to prevent smut and problems ofimbibition and of germination.
While the authors were connected with the office of Cereal Investigations* of the U. S. Department of Agriculture they assisted incarrying on a campaign to prevent smut. This campaign consistedlargely in giving demonstrations and discussions on smut and the
means of prevention. Two outstanding propositions encounteredwere (1) the time for maximum absorption to take place, (2) thetime in which seed can be kept in contact with formaldehyde andstill give the highest per cent germination. In practically all caseswheat growers are advised to operate within the limits of safetybut they are nevertheless desirous of knowing where the limits are.These facts then in themselves led the writers to submit the problems as suggested to a series of experiments, the results of whichare given in this paper.
'Henderson, F. L., Experiments with wheat and oats for smut. IdahoAgri. Ezp. Sta. Bui. 83. 1906.'Burmester, H., Verglelchende Utersuchungen ueber den Elnfluss der
verschiednen Samenhelzmethoden auf die pllztotende Wlrkung. ZltschrPflanzenkrank. 18i 154-187, 1908.'Johnson, J. C., Influence of "pickling" on the germination of cereals.Jour. Bd. Agr. (London) 2Oi 120-124, 1913.'Brittlebank, C. C., The effect of formalin and copper sulphate on thegermination of wheat. Jour. Dept. Agr. Victoria Hi 473-76, 2 figs. 1913.•This work was under the Immediate charge of Dr. G. M. Reed, then of
the University of Missouri, but now with the U. S. Dept. of Agriculture,Office of Cereal Investigations.
1
Bakke and Plagge: Studies upon the Absorption and Germination of Wheat Treated with
Published by UNI ScholarWorks, 1919
366 IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE VOL. XXVI, 1919
In this study the purpose was to use a solution of formalin* suchas is given to farmers and to use methods comparable so that
comparisons could be more easily made. The method used through-
II
10
-WATER--FORMALDEHYDE
TIMC IN MINUTES
Fig. 96. Comparative difference In the absorption for wheat placed In aformalin solution and In distilled water for periods varying from five tothirty minutes.
out consisted in counting out 100 seeds of a uniform size, placingthese in weighed, glass stoppered weighing bottles after which the
weight of the seed was determined and finally the seed was againweighed after it had been subjected to the formaldehyde for a cer-
•The directions for treating wheat to prevent smut as given by Dr. G.M. Reed are as follows:The solution used for treating stinking smut of wheat Is made byusing one pint or one pound of commercial formalin (guaranteed 40 percent solution of formaldehyde) to forty gallons of water. One gallon ofsolution is sufficient to treat one bushel of grain. 1 Dipping—take two halfbarrels or tubs with holes and plugs near bottom. Place one tub on twosaw horses and nil two-thirds full with the solution of formaldehyde. Pourslowly Into this solution one-half to one bushel of wheat seed, stlrrinfrthoroughly for five to ten minutes so that the smut balls, trash, etc., willreach the surface. Skim this material off and drain this solution Into thesecond tub. Pour the seed Into a pile on the floor, exchange positions oftubs and repeat the operation. Cover the treated seed with sacks for fourto ten hours.. Sow at once or spread the seed out to dry. 2
Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science, Vol. 26 [1919], No. 1, Art. 34
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WHEAT TREATED WITH FORMALDEHYDE 367
tain prescribed time. The seed was submerged into the formalinsolution (1-320) for nine minutes ; one minute was taken to pour offthe solution. The grains were dried immediately by means of slipsof filter paper, after the seeds had been placed in a 50 cc. porcelaincrucible. When the seeds were sufficiently dry, so as not to adhereto sides of the crucible, they were returned to the weighing bottleand weighed. In all cases the bottle was rotated so as to be surethat none of the seeds would adhere. If they did they were driedfurther before being weighed. The germination was tested by theusual plate method, petri dishes being employed.
COMPARATIVE ABSORPTION
In the tests for comparative absorption 100 seeds were countedout, weighed, dried and again weighed as given above. In all casesthe absorption for seeds placed in the formalin solution was compared directly with the absorption taking place in water ; one set washandled by each of the writers. Five determinations of each weremade. The data obtained are given in table I.
3
Bakke and Plagge: Studies upon the Absorption and Germination of Wheat Treated with
Published by UNI ScholarWorks, 1919
368 IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE VOL. XXVI, 1919
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Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science, Vol. 26 [1919], No. 1, Art. 34
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WHEAT TREATED WITH FORMALDEHYDE 369
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Bakke and Plagge: Studies upon the Absorption and Germination of Wheat Treated with
Published by UNI ScholarWorks, 1919
870 IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE VOL. XXVI, 1919
From an examination of the data and of the graph, figure 96, itis apparent that the absorption by wheat placed in a formalin solu
tion and in water does not vary materially during a period of thirtyminutes. At the end of ten minutes greater absorption is present inthe seed placed in the formaldehyde but a revisal is present at the
end of fifteen minutes as seed in distilled water increases in weightto a greater extent. However, after fifteen minutes imbibition is
approximately the same.
The second part of this series of investigations was confined toa study of the time of exposure to formaldehyde necessary to cause
a fall in the percentage of germination. The general plan then isthe same as has been previously set forth. The seeds were retainedin the glass stoppered containers after the formalin solution had
been poured off for varying periods from one to thirty-six hours,when they were weighed. The data are given in table II.
TABLE II.
DATA GIVING PERCENTAGE OF ABSORPTION AND GERMINATION FOR WHEAT SUBJECTED TO FORMALDEHYDE FOR VARYING PERIODS FROM ONE TO THIRTY-SIX HOURS.
Period ofcoveringNo. hours
Weight of100 seeds(grams)
Increasein weight(grams)
Increasein weight(per cent)
No. ofbottle
Germinationin per cent
1
1
115110
2.34732.5556
.4585
.463119.5318.12
9798
1 Average 2.4514 .4608 18.83 97.50
22
113111
2.44322.4100
.5680
.570823.2423.68
9795
2 Average 2.4266 .5694 23.46 96
33
114109
2.43292.5014
.6143
.658825.2426.33
9597
3 Average 2.4671 .6365 25.79 96
4 108102
2.53942.6215
.7478
.483529.4418.44
97914
4 Average 2.5805 .6157 23.94 94
55
107106
2.59352.6563
.7940
.833130.6131.36
9495
5 Average 2.6249 .8136 30.99 9450 6
Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science, Vol. 26 [1919], No. 1, Art. 34
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WHEAT TREATED WITH FORMALDEHYDE 371
TARLE No. II—Continued
Period ofcoveringNo. hours
Weight of100 seeds
(grams)
Increasein weight(grams)
Increasein weight(per cent)
No. of Germinationin per centbottle
68
103105
2.38352.5668 .
.7981
.826133.4832.18
9293
6 Average 2.4752 .8121 32.83 92.50
77
112104
2.36822.5474
.6207
.995426.2039.07
9595
7 Average 2.4578 .8081 32.64 95
8 101117
2.50092.5234
.8798•.8360
35.1733.12
93958
8 Average 2.5122 .8579 34.15 94
99
118116
2.52342.5692
.8360
.720436.7528.03
9596
9 Average 2.5463 .7782 32.39 95.5
1010
56
2.23412.5270
.6121
.848326.2233.56
9594
10 Average 2.3806 .7302 29.89 94.5
11 162
2.48432.6077
.93691.0726
37.7141.13
959311
11 Average 2.5460 1.0048 39.42 94
12
12
894
2.44002.3856
.8681
.997135.5741.79
9590
12 Average 2.4128 .9326 38.68 92.5 .
1313
513
2.52892.5600
.7913
.845631.2933.03
9595
13 Average 2.5446 .8185 32.16 95
1414
419
2.62222.4553
.98381.0592
39.8043.13
9488
14 Average 2.5388 1.0215 41.47 91
1515
1720
2.36252.4310
.8029
.863533.9835.52
9594
15 Average 2.3968 .8332 34.75 94.50
1616
9293
2.44042.5197
.7557
.717030.9628.45
9593
16 Average 2.4801 .7364 29.72 94
7
Bakke and Plagge: Studies upon the Absorption and Germination of Wheat Treated with
Published by UNI ScholarWorks, 1919
372 IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE VOL. XXVI, 1919
TARLE No. II—Continued
Period ofcoveringNo. hours
Weight of100 seeds(grams)
Increasein weight(grains)
Increasein weight(per cent)
No. ofbottle
Germinationin per cent
1717
1893
2.53882.5026
1.0640.8842
41.9535.33
9094
17 Average 2.5207 .9741 38.64 92
1818
2717
2.54682.4357
.68071.0331
26.7242.41
9591
18 Average 2.4913 .8569 34.57 93
19 3116
2.46982.5107
.7985
.736432.3329.33
939519
19 Average 2.4903 .7675 30.83 94
2020
3633
2.50782.4919
1.0095.6941
40.2527.76
9393
20 Average 2.4999 .8518 34.01 93
2121
3 2.54742.5186
.9075 35.6232.74
95%7 .8248
21 Average 2.5330 .8662 34.18 95.50
2222
911
2.56152.4949
.74201.0031
28.9640.20
9693
22 Average 2.5282 .8726 34.58 94.5
2323
35 2.57402.5182
.9115
.530435.4121.06
94917
23 Average 2.5461 .7210 28.24 92.5
2424
510
2.54412.5438
.8386
.731232.9628.74
92
92
24 Average 2.5440 .7849 30.85 92
2525
1021
2.41752.3756
.7962
.735232.9330.94
9392
25 Average 2.3966 .7657 31.94 92.50
2626
4712
2.61362.5559
.8485
.669632.4626.19
9596
26 Average 2.5848 .7591 29.33 95.50
2727
2137
2.51042.5610
.7857
.820231.2932.02
9087
27 Average 2.5357 .8030 31.66 88.50
8
Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science, Vol. 26 [1919], No. 1, Art. 34
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WHEAT TREATED WITH FORMALDEHYDE 873
TARLE No. II—Continued
Period ofcoveringNo. hours
Weight of100 seeds(grams)
Increasein weight(grams)
Increasein weight(per cent)
No. of terminationin per centbottle
2828
3927
2.43542.5680
.7926
.972532.5437.86
9394
28 Average 2.5017 .8826 35.20 93.50
2929
2014
2.50082.4822
.8275
.802733.0832.33
91
89
29 Average 2.4915 .8151 32.71 90
3030
2829
2.39972.5760
1.0605.9780
44.1837.96
8387
30 Average 2.4879 1.0193 41.07 85
3131
1430
2.58312.5459
.6001 23.2334.89
9394.8884
31 Average 2.5645 .7443 29.06 93.5
3232
6 2.50142.5130
.9063
.858836.2334.17
888614
32 Average 2.5072 .8826 35.20 87
3333
416
2.37072.3482
.6947
.640629.3027.27
8887
33 Average 2.3595 .6677 28.29 87.50
3434
2419
2.50432.4343
1.1810.7861
47.1532.29
7586
34 Average 2.4693 .9836 39.72 80.5
3535
219
2.53242.3512
.7485
.828729.5535.24
8877
35 Average 2.4418 .7886 32.40 83
3636
265
2.53622.4577
1.0178.8541
40.1334.75
8384
36 Average 2.4970 .9360 37.44 83.50
9
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By examining the data and the graph, figure 97, it is plainlydiscernible that absorption is the most rapid at the beginning,
being 18.83 per cent at the end of the first hour; from that pointthere is a gradual increase until the maximum, 41.47 per cent at
the fourteenth hour is attained. At no subsequent period is thereas high a percentage registered.As far as the percentage germination is concerned there is norecognized drop until after the seeds have been exposed to formal-
I
GERMINATION
\/ \
Fio. 97.—Diagram showing absorption and germination of wheat.
dehyde for a period of twenty-six hours. Although at the thirty-first hour the percentage germination rises again and is higher thanfor some of the earlier periods, yet it does not attain a percentageas high as has been delineated. However, there is a decided dropfrom the thirty-first hour. At the end of thirty-six hours the percentage of germination is only 83.5. It is regrettable that the serieswas not carried on further. Even though this feature of the experi10
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WHEAT TREATED WITH FORMALDEHYDE 375
ment was not planned for at the time the experiment was started,the results show that an extension of time would give a graphsimilar to the temperature curve of Lehenbauer5 for corn and thelife phase curve of Buchanan6 for a bacterial culture. But as thisis beyond the scope and province of the present studies it is advisable to postpone the submission of possible reactions until definitedata have been obtained.
From the results presented in this paper it is evident :1. That the absorption in the case of wheat seed placed in contact with foraldehyde in the usual concentration for treating seedto prevent smut is not materially different from wheat seed placedin water for the same period of time.2. Wheat seed soaked in a formalin solution for ten minutesand kept enclosed for varying periods from one to thirty-six hoursdoes not show any impaired germination until after twenty-sixhours.
•Lehenbauer, P. A., Growth of maize seedlings in relation to temperature:Physlol. Researches li 247-288, 1914.'Buchanan, R. E., Life phases in a. bacterial culture : Jour. Infect IMp
23: 3-19, 1918.
IOWA STATE COLLEGE,AMES, IOWA.
11
Bakke and Plagge: Studies upon the Absorption and Germination of Wheat Treated with
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