Lars Brudvig, associate professor of plant biology in the College of Natural Science, took the time to answer a series of questions about the Beal Seed Experiment on Twitter.
Brudvig is part of the team of scientists that, every 20 years, excavates and germinates seeds that were buried 142 years ago. He took part in an “Ask Me Anything” where people could submit questions about the experiment using the hashtag #AskLarsAnything.
To see the full threads, click on the links included or see Brudvig's Twitter.
Join us today at 2 p.m. to learn more about MSU’s 142-year-old experiment. https://t.co/VUnSQ0Jl9W
— MSU News (@MSUnews) May 25, 2021
Ask questions and follow along using the hashtag #AskLarsAnything. pic.twitter.com/8VtbcAd3Xc
Let's get started! Why did Dr. Beal bury the seeds 142 years ago? #AskLarsAnything https://t.co/MW50l5Ddrn
— MSU News (@MSUnews) May 25, 2021
The big question is how long can seeds stay alive in the soil? Dr. Beal knew that seeds could sprout from the soil if conditions were right. But how long can they live there? A year or two? Or 10? Or 100+ years? #AskLarsAnything https://t.co/kOKmk690nZ
— Lars Brudvig (@lars_brudvig) May 25, 2021
Knowing this is a big deal, especially for agriculture. Weeds reduce crop yield and a lot of farm management focuses on them. But, how long can weed seeds live on in the soil (causing issues down the road)? To learn, Beal buried seeds of common farm weeds
— Lars Brudvig (@lars_brudvig) May 25, 2021
I'd have to pick moth mullein (Verbascum blattaria). This species is the champion of seed longevity in the Beal Seed Experiment - nearly half of the buried seeds germinated in the 120 year trial and we've already had many of this species sprout, this year! #AskLarsAnything https://t.co/tXney0Z6a7
— Lars Brudvig (@lars_brudvig) May 25, 2021
We’re at a baker’s dozen, with the 13th germinant popping up this past weekend! All look like moth mullein (Verbascum blattaria), the champion of seed longevity in this experiment. #AskLarsAnything https://t.co/R7Dp6DFASg
— Lars Brudvig (@lars_brudvig) May 25, 2021
21 species were buried in each bottle. Most germinated for the first 5-20 years, but then tailed off. Moth mullein has continued to germinate at a high level, though - still 50% as of 20 years ago! Can't wait to see how many will we see in total this year!
— Lars Brudvig (@lars_brudvig) May 25, 2021
Excellent questions Gabriela! I'll respond to each part.
— Lars Brudvig (@lars_brudvig) May 25, 2021
You're 💯 right that seeds can require particular germination cues. We water, expose them to light, and also do a second cold stratification after a couple months. This year we'll also do a oke treatment, after all this! https://t.co/TkyNPcqQnk
Great question about multiple bottles - we're planning this as part of Beal 2.0 - the next burried seeds experiment - to open opportunities alongside the germination test.
— Lars Brudvig (@lars_brudvig) May 25, 2021
And, one if our team - Margaret Fleming - will search for ungerminated at the end of this year's trial!
Interesting question, Alex. Thankfully the location on campus is not an area that floods! Whew! https://t.co/RlCKnYoG3x
— Lars Brudvig (@lars_brudvig) May 25, 2021
These are favorites of round-leaved mallow (Malva pusilla), represented by one, solo germinant each of the last two trials
— Lars Brudvig (@lars_brudvig) May 25, 2021
But, the all time favorite of the Beal Experiment is Empire, released on 1980 - year of the 100 year trial! #AskLarsAnything https://t.co/WI6QGRePmS
That's a really interesting question, Diane. Nobody has ever tried to recover ungerminated seeds after past germination trials. Our team member Margaret Fleming will do just that, though, this year. If she finds some, we'll have to discuss Svalbard! #AskLarsAnything https://t.co/pMoynZHoxh
— Lars Brudvig (@lars_brudvig) May 25, 2021
Thankfully not, Maddie. The bottles are buried on MSU’s campus, but the location is known to only our scientific team (Frank Telewski, @DavidBLowry, @weber_mg, Margaret Fleming, me) and a few others, including key folks at @facilitiesmsu. We're all committed to keeping it safe! https://t.co/oAydwVzAeX
— Lars Brudvig (@lars_brudvig) May 25, 2021
Adding to this, we need to dig them up in the dead of night. Light is a key stimulant of seed germination. Digging the bottles up at night ensures that we won’t give away the location, or accidently start germination in future years’ bottles!
— Lars Brudvig (@lars_brudvig) May 25, 2021
Scientifically, it's the variation in seed longevity. All 21 species are common farm weeds, but they've lasted <5 to >140 years in the soil
— Lars Brudvig (@lars_brudvig) May 25, 2021
I've also been overjoyed by people's interest in the experiment. Biology is amazing and it's been an honor to be involved! #AskLarsAnything https://t.co/kwpRjVKYJZ
We actually had some trouble finding the bottle this year
— Lars Brudvig (@lars_brudvig) May 25, 2021
The location is unmarked and we find it with a map and triangulation from landmarks
We were slightly off - only a foot, or so, but it was a challenge@DavidBLowry sorted us out and @weber_mg unearthed the bottle! https://t.co/DqDKdAyDTu
Resilient, indeed! And, like seeds in the soil, Spartans are ready to grow and thrive when our calling comes. Plus, once we do, we're both green through and through! 🌱🌱🌱 https://t.co/ck2ynKErHI
— Lars Brudvig (@lars_brudvig) May 25, 2021
It's hard to project this far out, but thankfully we don't need to for this experiment.
— Lars Brudvig (@lars_brudvig) May 25, 2021
Beal buried 20 bottles in fall 1879 and we’ve now unearthed 16. At 20 year intervals, the last bottle will come out of the ground in 2100. That will conclude the experiment!#AskLarsAnything https://t.co/IicPg2p1R8
Yes - all the plants have survived and are growing well. You can see a photo of one, along with much more, in this wonderful @MSUnews article:https://t.co/M15Inq6Rc9#AskLarsAnything https://t.co/Ps4gB4NmMu
— Lars Brudvig (@lars_brudvig) May 25, 2021
Great questions, Tim. I think it's safe to say that the Beal Seed Experiment has and continues to teach us how long seeds can remain viable in the soil. So, at least for the 21 species involved, it's set these estimates! #AskLarsAnything https://t.co/19uXxLQ5lH
— Lars Brudvig (@lars_brudvig) May 25, 2021
We're discussing this right now! Safe to say there will be Beal 2.0, but details are still coming together
— Lars Brudvig (@lars_brudvig) May 26, 2021
I'm excited about having 2 bottles for each year. 1 for germinations, 1 for the most exacting question at the time. Who knows what will be hot in 100 yrs! #AskLarsAnything https://t.co/zjy8g0aAzI
