Greenhouse Management Seed Dormancies Greenhouse Management

Seed Terminology Viable: the seed has a “living” embryo and is capable of germinating. Germination test: The percentage of seed, in any given sample size, that actually germinate. For example if you sowed 100 seeds and 86 out of the 100 germinated, what would the percent germination be?

Definition of Dormancy The failure of a seed to germinate even though the requirements for successful seed germination are all present. Moisture Temperature Oxygen Sometimes light

Types of Seed Dormancies Physical Physiological Photodormancy Double Dormancy

Physical Dormancy Cause Treatments Seed has a hard seed coat is impermeable to water. *Scarification A – Acid B – Mechanical C – Hot Water

Physiological Dormancy Cause Treatments Seed has a dormant embryo. *Cold stratification A – moist B – aerated C – proper temperature D – proper time

Photodormancy Cause Treatments Seeds will not germinate until they are exposed to a certain amount of red light. *Expose seeds to red light. Seeds must first be in an imbibed state.

Double Dormancy Cause Treatments Combination of several different kinds of dormancies present in a seed at the same time. *Sequential treatments to handle each type of dormancy.

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