SOME STUDIES OF THE GERMINATION OF THE SEED OF ORYZA SATIVA. 151 
that it is safe to assume that the grains of Oryza germinate best in pure 
distilled water. 
As already referred to, the grains of Oryza do not germinate even in 
solutions of considerably weak concentration, and also the subsequent growth 
of the plumule and the radicle is very much retarded by the presence of 
dissolved substances. One of the data obtained may serve to give an illus- 
tration. 
TABLE XII. Oryza sativa. 
Influence of concentration upon the development of shoots and roots. Average of 20 grains 
for 72 hrs. at 26°C. 
Shoot in mm. Root in mm. 
NaCl 1/,,N 8.3 0.05 
EN 16.95 0.4 
EN 20.2 | 0.6 
Cane sugar 1/,, N 12.2 0.1 
> IBAN 14.4 05 
3 Alegent 20.25 1.4 
Redist. water 21.3 3.8 
The retardation of growth seems due to an osmotic effect as well as a 
chemical one, for the effect of equimolecular solutions of a non-electrolyte 
exerts a similar influence to those of an electrolyte. Even grains which absorb 
as much water as is required for germination in distilled water, are yet 
unable to germinate in a normal cane sugar solution. 
4. 'Tap water in not paraffined hard glass. 
5. CuSO, 1/,000 N (ordinary distilled water used) 
6. ” 1/0000 DE ” ” ” » ) 
7 ” 11100000 N ( ” ” ” » ) 
8. Zn sO, Ah ON ( ” ” ” ” ) 
9. ” 1000 N ( ” ” ” » ) 
10. 29 af; 0000 N ( ” ” ” » ) 
