On Sun, 6 Mar 2005 23:25:22 -0000, doug wrote:

Yet, - (second thoughts!), what about those plants that survive vast fires
every year!.

They are plants that live in places where fire is common - and have evolved
mechanisms to survive. Tomatoes didn't originate in one of those areas -
the opposite in fact - and therefore are unlikely to be fireproof, or even
survive the 120C and high pressure of the caning process. Still, it's worth
a try.

I suppose their condition is different, - those plants have a root mass
underneath them and probably don't need seeds. Or am I talking haywire?.

No, you're thinking along the right lines. Any strategy that protects
enough germ matter (meristems) will do the trick. Some have deep roots or
bury the seeds to keep a bit away from the fire, some tough it out with
hard outer casings or bark. Some have specially modified enzymes and
proteins that resist or help repair heat damage inside cells.

--
Tim C.