Initially, several2-kg lots of soybean seed (Glycine
max (L.) Merr. 'Chippewa') and hybrid corn (Zea mays L.) were moistened in
plastic bags with various amounts of distilled water, kept in a cold room at 4°C
for 2 days, and mixed at intervals to equalize the moisture content. On the third
day, they were placed in sealed plastic containers over saturated solutions of
ammonium sulfate. These solutions were chosen to maintain the relative
humidity of the interseed air at 80 to 85%. In addition, these containers were
stored in a Hotpack growth chamber at 26°C for 28 days and continually flushed
with moist air at 80 to 85% relative humidity; the concentrations of oxygen and
carbon dioxide were kept at atmospheric levels