The effect of prolonged seed soaking on seedling growth of Pisum sativum

Abstract

Pea seeds soaked in sterile water for 2 days at 20 °C showed no adverse effects. If seeds are soaked longer seedling development is retarded, roots are shorter, and stem tissue deteriorates. Seeds soaked 2 and 3 days show a maximum rate of root growth in excess of the maximum growth rate exhibited by seeds soaked for 1 day. Increasing the soaking time tends to delay the utilization of stored food in the cotyledon.