Letter to the Editor: Strawberries: Facts, Truth, Misinformation, Publication Bias and the Importance of Negative Results.

Abstract

We commonly make the assumption that information provided in instructions and/or publications is correct and based on proven and unbiased knowledge.  In a recent study about strawberry seed germination, which will be reported concurrently with this letter, seed supplier’s instructions (based on accepted wisdom among growers) were actually tested, and the results of that part of the study brought to mind the insidious nature of publication bias. This testing was done because the seed planting in question was a crucial component of a scientific study I recently completed on the effects of electromagnetic fields on seed germination in which more than 7,000 seeds were planted, carefully and individually, and their germination rates were studied closely. Briefly, the recent study to which I will make reference describes the interaction between three different treatments prior to planting the seeds:  pre-freezing, pre-soaking, and the application of PEMF.  It is widely held that the first two, especially pre-freezing, is essential for strawberry seed germination.  These procedures are also often reported in the methods section as a side note in scientific reports, so I took them as a given.  Our goal was to determine the extent to which the application of PEMF interacted with either or both of the widely accepted pre-treatments.  But when the data came in, I did not see evidence of any positive effects on germination resulting from either pre-treatment when studied separately or in combination.  In fact, both pre-treatments appeared to have a slight negative effect on the germination rate, and neither under any circumstances interacted with PEMF treatment in a positive way at any level of practical importance.  These negative results will be submitted for publication in JoSaM, in keeping with our policy to fight against publication bias.