Effect of Methyl Bromide and Hydrocyanic Acid Fumigation on the Germination of Flax Seeds1

Two varieties of flax, Imperial and Punjab, with a graded moisture range of 6, 8, 10 and 12% were fumigated with methyl bromide in 100-cubic-foot gastight chambers at an exposure period of 72 hours. Various dosages and temperatures were used. One variety of flax seed, Imperial, was fumigated with methyl bromide and hydrocyanic acid under varying conditions of temperature, exposure and dosages of fumigant. One-half of the fumigated samples of seed received one fumigation; the others were fumigated twice. Two series of germination tests were made, the first within 5 days following fumigation of seeds, and the second after 84 days of post-fumigation storage at 50° F Under the conditions of the experiments, the germination of flax seeds was not affected by fumigation with hydrocyanic acid. It was apparent that methyl bromide fumigation may reduce the germination of flax seeds under some conditions, but the erratic nature of test results prevented isolation of variables according to their importance in contributing to germination injury.