Presowing Seed Treatment. Part 2

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Creation of the most favorable conditions for improving germination is the primary task of pre-sowing seed treatment. Basically, the choice of pre-sowing treatment methods, of course, depends on the crops. Since the effect of different types of treatment is not the same, it is extremely important to observe the order of these treatments, as well as their compatibility. It is definitely not worth subjecting the same seeds to all processing methods at once

Seed stratification

It is required to increase the viability of seeds of crops that are very resistant to cold, as well as to accelerate the germination of seeds characterized by a prolonged period of germination or dormancy.

In a warm room, the seeds prepared for planting should first be soaked until they are completely swollen, and then mixed in a 1: 3 ratio with washed moistened sand. The resulting composition with a layer of 15 - 17 cm must be filled with boxes made of wood or other containers, which are then transferred to cold rooms or placed in a refrigerator with a temperature of 0- + 5 degrees. The contents of the containers are regularly mixed and moistened as needed.

Stratification can last from 30 to 120 days and depends entirely on the type of crops. At the end of the treatment, the seeds should be cleaned of sand, or you can simply sow directly with it. During podzimny sowing, stratification takes place in the ground under natural conditions.

Seed soaking

It will be appropriate for the early emergence of the long-awaited seedlings. They are soaked in water until the seeds are completely swollen and their further germination. The bags filled with seeds are placed in a bowl of water for 3 hours; after this time, they are removed from the water. 5 - 6 hours later, the bags are again immersed in water for 2 - 3 hours, etc. Do this until the seeds begin to germinate. Melt water is ideal for carrying out the procedure.

A good soaking option is to place a thin layer of seeds on a cloth or directly on the bottom of a stainless steel dish and soak them regularly. After wetting, the seeds are covered with a slightly damp cloth on top.

It is recommended to soak seeds of warm-loving plants at a temperature of 25 degrees, and seeds of cold-resistant plants - at temperatures ranging from 15 to 20 degrees.

Carrot seeds can be soaked in cold water for 24 hours, but for best results it is recommended to pre-grind them by rubbing between dry palms (recall that they are covered with small fibers). During this soaking, the water is drained at least six times, until it turns out to be transparent.

The average duration of soaking seeds of vegetation from the families of legumes, pumpkin and cabbage, familiar to everyone, is from 12 to 20 hours; representatives of the Asteraceae families, as well as Solanaceae with Swans - on average from 24 to 40 hours; and buckwheat and celery with onions - varies from 50 to 70 hours.

The germination stage usually takes twice as long as the steeping stage. It is completed when from 1 to 3% of the seeds hatch. As for the germination of rather large seeds of pumpkin, beans, corn and peas, it is better to carry out it in thoroughly washed sand, first thoroughly dried, and then sifted through a thick sieve. The sand is periodically moistened.

Sprouted seeds should be sown immediately in moderately damp soil.

Pre-sowing seed heating

This procedure contributes to an increase in the mass of seedlings, as well as the number of female flowers on vegetation representing the family of pumpkin.

Dry seeds spread out in gauze bags are placed near any heat source (it is not forbidden to use even ordinary batteries). It is allowed to place them in the oven with a gradual increase in temperature up to 50 - 60 degrees. Keep the seeds at the selected temperature for about two to four hours, stirring them constantly.

Vernalization of seeds

This procedure is suitable for hard-growing garden seeds such as onions, parsnips, parsley and carrots. They are first soaked until they swell completely, after which they begin to germinate at a rather low temperature, approaching 0 degrees, until 5 to 15% of the seeds hatch.