Effect of Color of Seed, of Scarification, and of Dry Heat on the Germination of Alfalfa Seed and of Some of Its Impurities 1

The color and the plumpness of alfalfa seed greatly influence its market value. It is generally accepted that bright, plump seed of an olive-green color is better than discolored seed of any sort. Lack of information as to iust how much better it is, and wherein this superiority lies, was the circumstance which gave rise to the studies here reported. Between 19~1 and I925 a rather large, number o~ seed studies were-conducted, chiefly in an incidental manner, on which account the work has been spread over a longer period than might otherwise h&ve been necessary. The presence of dodder seed (Cuscuta sp.) alsO) greatly influences the selling value of commercial alfalfa seed. Its presence is almost 6ntirely due to careless cultural methods, but it does nevertheless occur in seed, and once there the large-seeded variety cannot b~ economically removed with completeness by any known method. The seeds of Russian thistle and of A’triplex tumbleweed are also both prevdlent. The possibility of killing these weed seeds with dry heat of such a degree that the alfalfa seed is uninjured thereby is Also considered in a preliminary manner.