Page 1 |
Previous | 1 of 2 | Next |
|
small (250x250 max)
medium (500x500 max)
Large
Extra Large
large ( > 500x500)
Full Resolution
All (PDF)
|
This page
All
|
Loading content ...
Oooperaf/N C xfe: O Seed Propagation of Plants Guide 400 H-112 Seed propagation is often used to produce large numbers of plants inexpensively. Generally plants grown from seed take longer to reach maturity than those propagated vegetatively, but the low cost may compensate for the time lost. The fact that plants sometimes do not come true from seed and that no two seedlings are exactly alike can add interest to this method of propagation. Variations among seedlings enable plant breeders to produce new varieties. Interesting as it is to look for new plant types, variability is undesirable if uniformity is needed in new plants. Seed propagation is not difficult, but it involves careful management of germination conditions as well as knowledge of the seed requirements of the species. Testing Seed. If the requirements for germination are not known, a germination test will be helpful in indicating the necessity for any pregermination treatment. To test seed for viability and germination, select a small but representative sample from the lot under consideration. One method of testing is to place a moist paper towel on a flat surface, then making a row of seeds so that they may be covered with an edge of the toweling. Then roll the towel and place more seeds and continue the process. Rolls should not be tight with about five layers. Larger seeds may be placed in germinating trays - sterile sand flats. Temperature for these tests should be about 65 to 75°F. The results of these tests would give the germination at those temperatures and also indicate whether a pre-treatment such as scarification or cold is necessary. Scarification involves scratching the seed on sandpaper or other abrasive. This allows water to enter the seed more readily. Preparing the Germinating Mixture. Seeds may be sown in various materials. Popular germinating media are sand, sphagnum moss, peat moss, vermiculite, perlite, and soil, or mixtures of these media. Any medium or mixture used should be well-drained and sterile. Vermiculite and perlite, as a result of their preparation, are sold sterile; those media coming from nature should be sterilized before use. Sterilization kills weed seeds, insects, and disease-causing organisms. To sterilize the media it should be held at a temperature of 160°F for 45 minutes. An easy method is to place moist soil in a pan. Wrap a medium potato in aluminum foil and place on top of the mound of soil. Cover the pan with foil to avoid drying the soil. Bake the soil at 350°F in the oven until the potato is cooked and PRESTO-the soil is sterile. Or you can wait to sterilize the soil until it is in the container. Fill the germinating container with soil mix to a quarter-inch from the top. Moisten with water until the medium can be made into a ball which crumbles easily but is not muddy from excess water. Once this is completed, sterilize both the medium and container by placing in the oven for one-half hour at 180°F. After the soil mix has thoroughly cooled, level and tamp it gently to make a firm seedbed. Apply about one-quarter inch of sterile, seed-grade vermiculite to cover the seedbed. Moisten the soil again by setting the container in a shallow pan of water until the vermiculite on topis moist, then remove the container from the pan of water. Sowing Seeds. Once the vermiculite layer is moist, the seeds can be sown. Scatter the seeds uniformly over the surface of the vermiculite. Do not sow the seeds too thickly, since crowded seedlings generally grow spindly or induce conditions favorable to rotting. Do not cover small seeds, such as those of African violet or begonia. They are dust-like in size and will not develop if covered even slightly. Cover the larger seeds with vermiculite until they are just hidden. Place the container in a polyethylene bag and seal the end with a rubber band. Wire loops may be used to separate the plastic from the fiat to allow for height of seedlings. Bags used for freezing poultry and larger items are ideal since polyethylene plastic keeps the moisture in but allows air exchange. Bags New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity employer. All programs are available to everyone regardless of race, color, or national origin. New Mexico State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.
Object Description
Title | Seed propagation of plants |
Series Designation | Guide 400 H-112, 1977 |
Description | Guide containing brief, general information on seed propagation. |
Subject | Plant propagation; Sowing; Seeds--Growth; plant propagation (NAL); seed germination (NAL); seedling growth (NAL); sowing (NAL) |
Creator | Gomez, Ricardo E., 1938-; |
Date Original | 1977-03 |
Digital Publisher | New Mexico State University Library |
Rights | Copyright, NMSU Board of Regents. |
Collection | NMSU Cooperative Extension Service and Agricultural Experiment Station Publications |
Source | Scan produced from physical item held by the NMSU Library. |
Type | Text |
Format | image/tiff |
Language | eng |
Page Description
Title | Page 1 |
Series Designation | Guide 400 H-112, 1977 |
Subject | Plant propagation; Sowing; Seeds--Growth; plant propagation (NAL); seed germination (NAL); seedling growth (NAL); sowing (NAL) |
Creator | Gomez, Ricardo E., 1938-; |
Date Original | 1977-03 |
Digital Publisher | New Mexico State University Library |
Rights | Copyright, NMSU Board of Regents. |
Collection | NMSU Cooperative Extension Service and Agricultural Experiment Station Publications |
Digital Identifier | UAAPg0H112A0001 |
Is Part Of | Seed propagation of plants |
Type | Text |
Format | image/tiff |
Language | eng |
OCR | Oooperaf/N C xfe: O Seed Propagation of Plants Guide 400 H-112 Seed propagation is often used to produce large numbers of plants inexpensively. Generally plants grown from seed take longer to reach maturity than those propagated vegetatively, but the low cost may compensate for the time lost. The fact that plants sometimes do not come true from seed and that no two seedlings are exactly alike can add interest to this method of propagation. Variations among seedlings enable plant breeders to produce new varieties. Interesting as it is to look for new plant types, variability is undesirable if uniformity is needed in new plants. Seed propagation is not difficult, but it involves careful management of germination conditions as well as knowledge of the seed requirements of the species. Testing Seed. If the requirements for germination are not known, a germination test will be helpful in indicating the necessity for any pregermination treatment. To test seed for viability and germination, select a small but representative sample from the lot under consideration. One method of testing is to place a moist paper towel on a flat surface, then making a row of seeds so that they may be covered with an edge of the toweling. Then roll the towel and place more seeds and continue the process. Rolls should not be tight with about five layers. Larger seeds may be placed in germinating trays - sterile sand flats. Temperature for these tests should be about 65 to 75°F. The results of these tests would give the germination at those temperatures and also indicate whether a pre-treatment such as scarification or cold is necessary. Scarification involves scratching the seed on sandpaper or other abrasive. This allows water to enter the seed more readily. Preparing the Germinating Mixture. Seeds may be sown in various materials. Popular germinating media are sand, sphagnum moss, peat moss, vermiculite, perlite, and soil, or mixtures of these media. Any medium or mixture used should be well-drained and sterile. Vermiculite and perlite, as a result of their preparation, are sold sterile; those media coming from nature should be sterilized before use. Sterilization kills weed seeds, insects, and disease-causing organisms. To sterilize the media it should be held at a temperature of 160°F for 45 minutes. An easy method is to place moist soil in a pan. Wrap a medium potato in aluminum foil and place on top of the mound of soil. Cover the pan with foil to avoid drying the soil. Bake the soil at 350°F in the oven until the potato is cooked and PRESTO-the soil is sterile. Or you can wait to sterilize the soil until it is in the container. Fill the germinating container with soil mix to a quarter-inch from the top. Moisten with water until the medium can be made into a ball which crumbles easily but is not muddy from excess water. Once this is completed, sterilize both the medium and container by placing in the oven for one-half hour at 180°F. After the soil mix has thoroughly cooled, level and tamp it gently to make a firm seedbed. Apply about one-quarter inch of sterile, seed-grade vermiculite to cover the seedbed. Moisten the soil again by setting the container in a shallow pan of water until the vermiculite on topis moist, then remove the container from the pan of water. Sowing Seeds. Once the vermiculite layer is moist, the seeds can be sown. Scatter the seeds uniformly over the surface of the vermiculite. Do not sow the seeds too thickly, since crowded seedlings generally grow spindly or induce conditions favorable to rotting. Do not cover small seeds, such as those of African violet or begonia. They are dust-like in size and will not develop if covered even slightly. Cover the larger seeds with vermiculite until they are just hidden. Place the container in a polyethylene bag and seal the end with a rubber band. Wire loops may be used to separate the plastic from the fiat to allow for height of seedlings. Bags used for freezing poultry and larger items are ideal since polyethylene plastic keeps the moisture in but allows air exchange. Bags New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity employer. All programs are available to everyone regardless of race, color, or national origin. New Mexico State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. |