Post by 12540dumont on Mar 12, 2012 18:26:36 GMT -5
I've been reading some about seed priming. A treatment of seed coating that allows rapid and uniform field emergence for direct seeded crops
Rate and uniformity of emergence are inherent to seed quality and environmental conditions during seedling emergence. Slow emergence results in smaller plants and seedlings, which are more vulnerable to soil-borne diseases.
I have especially been thinking about this for onions. Onion seeds, even those stored at the optimum temperatures start to deteriorate and I've been reading about pre-coating treatments with calcium that help even old onion seeds to better germinate.
I got on this topic after something Joseph said. Let's face it, Joseph has a scientific background and I do not. I wish I did, plowing through scientific journals would be a lot easier.
Do any of you routinely pre-treat or pre-condition your seeds before planting?
The below is from JL Hudson (JLhudsonseeds.net)
Potassium nitrate (KNO3) is often used to stimulate germination of dormant or irregular seeds. It can replace the light requirement of some pines. The seeds are soaked in a 1000 to 3000ppm solution (1 - 3 grams per liter), or are germinated on pads soaked in this solution. Concentration is not crucial, so 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon per quart is fine. It is about 6 grams per teaspoon. In our tests, some seeds which normally give seedlings over 3 months have all come up in a month with KNO3.
Hydrogen peroxide stimulates many species. Seeds are soaked in a 1 - 3% solution for 5 minutes to 48 hours for hard seeds. We have had very good results.
Presoaking seeds in malt extract solution or in beer may increase germination and vigor, especially of old seeds, due to enzyme enrichment. Higher resistance to damping off and higher yields have been reported. Other sources of enzymes include digestive aids (bromelain, papain, etc, available at health food stores), enzyme cleaners for contact lenses, and enzyme drain-cleaning products.
Citric acid is available in the canning section of the grocery, and has been used at 1000ppm to stimulate the germination of some species.
Sodium hypochlorite (household bleach) has been used in a 1% solution for a one-hour presoak to stimulate germination of some species. Mix one part bleach with 4 1/4 parts water for a 1% solution. A ten minute soak in one part bleach plus one part water is an FDA approved seed disinfectant.
Smoke and charred-wood leachate (water in which charred wood has been soaked) may stimulate germination of plants from fire-prone habitats with hot, dry summers, such as the Mediterranean, California, South Africa and Australia. For a list of genera that have responded to smoke treatment, click here: Smoke Genera.
GA-3 is sometimes used in very low concentrations, from 1 ppm to 150 ppm, to promote the germination of non-dormant seeds such as rice.
Combined treatments such as KNO3 plus GA-3, or hydrogen peroxide plus GA-3 have given higher germination than either treatment alone. Testing these substances in various combinations is enough for a lifetime of interesting research.
The One Straw Revolution
Masanobu Fukuoka (1913-2008) was a farmer and philosopher who was born and raised on the Japanese island of Shikoku. He studied plant pathology and spent several years working as a customs inspector in Yokohama. While working there, at the age of 25, he had an inspiration that changed his life. He decided to quit his job, return to his home village and put his ideas into practice by applying them to agriculture.
www.onestrawrevolution.net/One_Straw_Revolution/Article_Amazing_Natural_Farm.html
If you read the book, he advocates the "do nothing" method of agriculture. Instead of planting rice in flats and transplanting, he hit on the idea of coating rice with mud and sowing them directly into the field.
So has anyone come up with any innovative seed priming techniques?
I have been soaking tomato seed in fish emulsion & endo mycorrhizae, but I still get voids.
Rate and uniformity of emergence are inherent to seed quality and environmental conditions during seedling emergence. Slow emergence results in smaller plants and seedlings, which are more vulnerable to soil-borne diseases.
I have especially been thinking about this for onions. Onion seeds, even those stored at the optimum temperatures start to deteriorate and I've been reading about pre-coating treatments with calcium that help even old onion seeds to better germinate.
I got on this topic after something Joseph said. Let's face it, Joseph has a scientific background and I do not. I wish I did, plowing through scientific journals would be a lot easier.
Do any of you routinely pre-treat or pre-condition your seeds before planting?
The below is from JL Hudson (JLhudsonseeds.net)
Potassium nitrate (KNO3) is often used to stimulate germination of dormant or irregular seeds. It can replace the light requirement of some pines. The seeds are soaked in a 1000 to 3000ppm solution (1 - 3 grams per liter), or are germinated on pads soaked in this solution. Concentration is not crucial, so 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon per quart is fine. It is about 6 grams per teaspoon. In our tests, some seeds which normally give seedlings over 3 months have all come up in a month with KNO3.
Hydrogen peroxide stimulates many species. Seeds are soaked in a 1 - 3% solution for 5 minutes to 48 hours for hard seeds. We have had very good results.
Presoaking seeds in malt extract solution or in beer may increase germination and vigor, especially of old seeds, due to enzyme enrichment. Higher resistance to damping off and higher yields have been reported. Other sources of enzymes include digestive aids (bromelain, papain, etc, available at health food stores), enzyme cleaners for contact lenses, and enzyme drain-cleaning products.
Citric acid is available in the canning section of the grocery, and has been used at 1000ppm to stimulate the germination of some species.
Sodium hypochlorite (household bleach) has been used in a 1% solution for a one-hour presoak to stimulate germination of some species. Mix one part bleach with 4 1/4 parts water for a 1% solution. A ten minute soak in one part bleach plus one part water is an FDA approved seed disinfectant.
Smoke and charred-wood leachate (water in which charred wood has been soaked) may stimulate germination of plants from fire-prone habitats with hot, dry summers, such as the Mediterranean, California, South Africa and Australia. For a list of genera that have responded to smoke treatment, click here: Smoke Genera.
GA-3 is sometimes used in very low concentrations, from 1 ppm to 150 ppm, to promote the germination of non-dormant seeds such as rice.
Combined treatments such as KNO3 plus GA-3, or hydrogen peroxide plus GA-3 have given higher germination than either treatment alone. Testing these substances in various combinations is enough for a lifetime of interesting research.
The One Straw Revolution
Masanobu Fukuoka (1913-2008) was a farmer and philosopher who was born and raised on the Japanese island of Shikoku. He studied plant pathology and spent several years working as a customs inspector in Yokohama. While working there, at the age of 25, he had an inspiration that changed his life. He decided to quit his job, return to his home village and put his ideas into practice by applying them to agriculture.
www.onestrawrevolution.net/One_Straw_Revolution/Article_Amazing_Natural_Farm.html
If you read the book, he advocates the "do nothing" method of agriculture. Instead of planting rice in flats and transplanting, he hit on the idea of coating rice with mud and sowing them directly into the field.
So has anyone come up with any innovative seed priming techniques?
I have been soaking tomato seed in fish emulsion & endo mycorrhizae, but I still get voids.
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