Transcript Techniques of Propagation by Seeds

Chapter 8
Techniques of propagation by seed
Techniques of propagation by seed
• Seed Propagation Systems
– Field seeding - agronomic crops (cereals,
legumes, forage, vegetables)
• Least expensive
• Continuous growth
• Stationary (not transplanted)
– To maximize success
• Proper preparation of seed bed
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Loose and fine texture for good seed/soil contact
No crust (organic substances and phosphorous help)
Aggregates 1 - 12 mm
Fumigate
Techniques of propagation by seed
– Select high quality seed
• Fresh
• Tested
– Correct planting time
• Germination temperature requirements
• Production schedule
– Pretreat seeds
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Fungicide
Priming
Scarification
Stratification
Balance both
Techniques of propagation by seed
– Select proper mechanical seeder
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First developed in 1850
Hopper, metering system, drill
Random seeder = no exact spacing
Precision seeder = preset spacing in row
– Planting @ proper depth
• Plant 3-4x deep as diameter of the seed
– Proper rate of sowing
Weight of seeds =
Density (desired plants /unit area)
per unit area
# of seeds/unit wgt X
Germ. % X Purity %
(seed count)
(as a decimal)
(as a decimal)
Techniques of propagation by seed
• Plug production
– Plug = seedling produced in a small volume of
medium contained in a small cell. Often 200 800 per polystyrene sheet
– Typically filled and sown mechanically
– To harden-off seedlings, reduce temps & switch
from NHNO3 to CaNO3 or KNO3 (Calcium is
used in cell wall lignification)
– Often bottom watered using capillary mats or
ebb-and-flow systems