Question

У каких растений семена сохранили всхожесть после нескольких тысяч лет хранений? В каких условиях они сохранялись?

Answer 1

У орехоносного лотоса

Answer 2

Семена лотоса орехоносного (Nelumbo nucifera, семейство лотосовых) , обнаруженные в 1951 г. в Японии, в торфяном болоте на глубине 5,5 м, находились в лодке, принадлежавшей человеку каменного века. После извлечения их из торфа, они проросли, лотосы нормально развивались и цвели. Захоронение этих семян в торфе без доступа кислорода способствовало сохранению их жизнеспособности. Радиоуглеродный метод анализа показал, что этим семенам было не менее 1040 лет. Но и в обычных условиях семена лотоса могут сохранять всхожесть 70–100 лет.
Другой пример длительного выживания в агрессивной естественной среде. Семена энтады гигантской (Entada scandens), тропической лианы из семейства бобовых, - крупные, до 1 м длиной, бобы - способны более года проводить в соленой морской воде, не теряя всхожести семян.
Все рекорды, по-видимому, бьет уникальный случай прорастания семян люпина арктического (Lupinus arcticus), извлеченных из льдов Аляски (занесенных с почвой) . По данным радиоизотопного анализа, этим семенам было около 10 000 лет. Когда в мерзлой почве у канадского побережья Юкона были обнаружены семена этого цветка, пролежавшие в земле 10-15 тысяч лет, и посеяны, то некоторые из них дали всходы, а один даже расцвел!

Answer 3

Plants with Seeds that Retain Viability after Thousands of Years

There are several plants whose seeds have been found to retain viability even after thousands of years of storage. Here are some examples:

1. Sacred Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera): The seeds of the sacred lotus have been known to remain viable for thousands of years. In fact, lotus seeds dating back to around 1,300 years ago were successfully germinated in a study conducted by scientists.

2. Silene stenophylla (Siberian campion): Seeds of the Siberian campion, a flowering plant native to Siberia, were discovered in the permafrost of northeastern Siberia. These seeds were estimated to be around 32,000 years old and were successfully germinated by Russian scientists.

3. Dandelion Rubber (Taraxacum kok-saghyz): The seeds of Taraxacum kok-saghyz, a species of dandelion, have been found to retain their viability for several decades. In one study, seeds that were stored for 31 years were still able to germinate successfully.

4. Judean Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera): The Judean date palm is an ancient species of palm tree that was extinct for centuries. However, in the 1960s, seeds were discovered at the archaeological site of Masada in Israel. Some of these seeds were successfully germinated in 2005, after being dormant for around 2,000 years.

Conditions for Seed Preservation

The preservation of seeds for such long periods of time is often attributed to specific environmental conditions. Here are some factors that contribute to the preservation of seeds:

1. Low Temperature: Seeds that are stored in cold environments, such as permafrost or ice, have a higher chance of retaining their viability. The low temperatures slow down the metabolic processes within the seeds, preventing them from deteriorating over time.

2. Dry Environment: Seeds that are stored in dry conditions have a better chance of remaining viable. Moisture can lead to the growth of microorganisms or cause the seeds to rot. Dry environments help to prevent these detrimental effects.

3. Lack of Oxygen: Oxygen can promote the degradation of seeds over time. In some cases, seeds that are stored in anaerobic (oxygen-free) conditions have been found to retain their viability for longer periods.

4. Protective Seed Coatings: Some seeds have protective coatings that help them withstand harsh environmental conditions. These coatings can provide a barrier against moisture, pathogens, and other factors that could damage the seeds.

It's important to note that while these conditions have been observed in the preservation of certain seeds, the exact mechanisms behind long-term seed viability are still being studied and understood. Each case may have unique factors contributing to the preservation of the seeds.

I hope this information helps! Let me know if you have any further questions.