Mancel Thornton Munn (January 31, 1887 in Plainwell, Michigan – November 16, 1956 in Arcadia, California) was a New York State botanist, an agronomist, and an expert in crop seed testing who pioneered some of the early American legislative efforts to regulate the import of seeds from other countries.[1][2] He was also an Emeritus Professor of Seed Investigations at Cornell University.[2]

Mancel Thornton Munn
Born(1887-01-31)January 31, 1887
Plainwell, MI
DiedNovember 16, 1956(1956-11-16) (aged 69)
Arcadia, CA
Resting placeSchoolcraft Township Cemetery, Vicksburg, MI
CitizenshipU.S.
Alma materMichigan Agricultural College
Known forPioneered American seed import regulations
Scientific career
FieldsBotany, Agronomy
Author abbrev. (botany)Munn

Munn attended the Michigan Agricultural College, graduating in June 1911, and studied seed samples in accordance with the provisions of Michigan's Pure Seed Law during his final two years there.[3] Following graduation, he accepted a position as an Assistant in Research at "the New York Experiment Station at Geneva, where he will have charge of the seed work".[2][3]

Munn rose through the ranks at the Agricultural Experiment Station, being promoted to assistant botanist in 1918,[4] Associate Botanist in 1929, and finally becoming Professor and Head of the present Department of Seed Investigation in 1936.[2] From 1936 through1952 Munn was head of the Department of Seed Investigations, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, New York.[2][5] He is known for developing early techniques to test seeds for viability of germplasm, and he had an interest in mycology.[2]

Selected publications

edit
  • Munn, Mancel T. (1917). "Neck-rot Disease of Onions". Bulletin of the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station. 437. Geneva, NY: New York State Agricultural Experiment Station. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
  • Munn, Mancel T. (1920). "The New York Seed Law and Seed Testing". Bulletin of the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station. 476. Geneva, NY: New York State Agricultural Experiment Station. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
  • Munn, Mancel T. (1925). "The Amended New York Seed-law and Seed Testing". Bulletin of the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station. 528. Geneva, NY: Cornell University. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
  • Munn, Mancel T. (1936). "The Quality of Flower Seeds on Sale in New York". Bulletin of the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station. 663. Geneva, NY: New York State Agricultural Experiment Station. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
  • Munn, Mancel T. (1950). "A Method for Testing the Germinability of Large Seeds". Bulletin of the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station. 740. Geneva, NY: New York State Agricultural Experiment Station. Retrieved 29 May 2013.

References

edit
  1. ^ "International Plant Names Index Author Details". Munn, Mancel Thornton. International Plant Names Index. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Cornell University Faculty Memorial Statement" (PDF). Mancel Thornton Munn. Cornell University. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
  3. ^ a b Brown, Addison M. (July 1912). Annual report of the Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture of the State of Michigan (PDF). Lansing, MI: Michigan State Board of Agriculture. OCLC 9493493. Archived from the original on 17 August 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
  4. ^ Stewart, F.C. (1914). "Potato spraying experiments at Rush in 1913" (PDF). Bulletin of the New York Department of Agriculture (379). Geneva, NY: New York Department of Agriculture: 2. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
  5. ^ "Seed testing performed for entire state is conducted in Geneva" (PDF). Geneva Daily Times. 10 June 1930. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
  6. ^ International Plant Names Index.  Munn.