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🇮🇳 India /Environment & Climate

Michigan scientist buried seeds in 1879, and some still grew 142 years later

From Times of India · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

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  • Researchers found viable seeds from William James Beal’s 1879 experiment 142 years after they were buried.
  • DNA analysis identified a hybrid moth mullein among the plants, adding to the experiment’s findings.
  • The research could inform land restoration and efforts to control invasive species.

William James Beal buried seeds in Michigan in 1879 as part of an experiment designed to last until 2100. In 2021, researchers found that some of the seeds could still grow, 142 years later.

The discovery also produced a surprise. DNA analysis detected a hybrid moth mullein among the plants, giving researchers an additional finding from the long-running study.

The results offer insights into seed dormancy and could help improve land restoration efforts and the control of invasive species. Beal’s experiment continues to show how scientific work can outlast the people who begin it.

About this summary

Originally published by Times of India in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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