GB190908130A - Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for use in the Metabolism of Seeds. - Google Patents

Abstract

8130. Kammer, J. von der. April 7, 1908, [Convention date]. Germination, assisting. - Seeds, bulbs or tubers are caused to germinate and grow to a certain extent without soil in an anaerobic atmosphere. The plants may be transferred to the ground or used as human or animal food. For this purpose, they may be canned in an ordinary manner. The seeds &c. are placed, without being steeped or soaked, which would remove useful bacteria and organic matter in drawers 9 having a perforated bottom 10 of wire gauze &c., and sides 11 of a non- porous material such as soapstone. The drawers rest upon trays 5 of soapstone into which water or a bacterial culture is introduced while the seeds &c. are periodically moistened with a special liquid. Several drawers are enclosed by a single chamber 18 into which nitrogen, which may have traces of other gases present, is introduced from a gas-holder 23, a trough 25 containing alkaline pyrogallol to absorb oxygen being provided if necessary. The nitrogen may be produced alternatively or additionally by means of reagents placed in a trough 24 or other vessel in the chamber. The partitions 2 are held in place by bolts 3 and the trays may be merely recessed therein or supported on brackets at the corners. The trays are provided with a cock 14 for drawing-off the liquid, and may have cross-bars 8 to support the drawer. The liquid used for moistening the seeds &c. consists of a solution of potassium phosphate, calcium carbonate and ordinary fertilizers containing soluble potassium, free phosphoric acid and nitrogen, neutralized by an extract of wood-ashes. The bacterial culture is obtained by dissolving potassium phosphate in water, stirring with calcium carbonate, decanting, adding dextrose and a filtered and sterilized extract of germinated seeds, for instance, wheat, corn, and vetches, and inoculating this liquid with an extraction of black pasture soil, or with nitrogen-fixing bacteria or fungi such as those on the market for the inoculation of legumes. The liquid is rendered neutral or slightly alkaline by adding extract of wood-ashes, and is allowed to develop in an air-tight stoneware vessel at about 35‹ C. for about four days until turbid. A fresh supply of the culture is placed in the trays for each batch of seeds &c., the waste liquid being drawn off, filtered, sterilized and again inoculated.