AN IMPROVED METHOD FOR SEED-BANK ANALYSIS - SEEDLING EMERGENCE AFTER REMOVING THE SOIL BY SIEVING

1. The seedling emergence method for assessing the size of the seed ba nk is improved by washing soil samples on a fine sieve and spreading t he thus concentrated samples in a 3-5 mm thick layer on sterilized pot ting compost. 2. The method largely increases the number of seedlings that emerge as compared to unconcentrated samples. Hand-sorting afterw ards shows that the germination rates vary between 81 and 100% of the viable seeds present. 3. Ninety-five per cent of the seedlings will em erge within 6 weeks using this method. 4. The method greatly reduces t he greenhouse space needed and enables examination of large sample vol umes.