In 1879 a scientist buried bottles filled with seeds. Every 20 years, one is dug up and studied.

In 1879 a scientist buried bottles filled with seeds. Every 20 years, one is dug up and studied.

142 years ago, botanist James Beal had a unique idea for how we could learn more about seeds.Beal wanted to know just how long seeds of different kinds would remain viable in soil. Now, that might not sound like the most exciting research topic of all time, but understanding seed longevity actually plays a crucial role in agriculture, our food supply, and the preservation of biodiversity.in 1879, Beal decided to bury 20 bottles filled with seeds…