1. Sexual Propagation

2. Why Use Seeds for Propagation?
Reliable Uniform Crops
Low Cost
Easy to Handle
Mechanical Plantings
Shipping (Seed vs. Plants)
Storage (Cool, Low Humidity)

3. Plantings
Most of our food and fiber crops are planted directly in the field.
The soil of the seedbed should be moist.
Should be of smooth, fine, crumbly soil, and free of clods.

4. What conditions are necessary for seed germination?
Seeds are designed to wait for favorable conditions to begin growth.
They may lay dormant for many years before conditions allow them to begin to grow.

5. Stratification
When the seed must go through a period of cold temperatures before it will germinate.

6. Scarification Breaking down of the seed coat.
Some seeds have such a hard, thick seed coat that they prevent the absorption of water to enable germination to occur.
You can use sand paper or files to damage the seed coat.

7. Planting Depth
Rule of Thumb – Plant seed twice as deep as the seed is.
Really small seed should be planted in greenhouses and then transplanted to field.

8. Irrigation in Field
Flood Field and allow plants to be watered by capillary action.
Sprinklers
What would be a problem?
Be careful to avoid crusting of the soil.
Why?

9. Planting in Flats Usually done in greenhouses.
Controlled conditions – Quick
Medium that holds moisture and drains easy.
Sand, perlite and peat moss
Plant in rows or sporadic.
Too many seeds
in flat = Spindly

10. Planting in Flats Continued
Once you put seeds in tamp them down.
Cover with a thin layer of soil on top
Helps with moisture
Fungus
Work with clean sterile tools and environment
Water Occasionally
Careful not to wash out
Best Temperature 70-80°F

11. Germination process
The germination process begins with the absorption of water.
The seed swells and the embryo changes from a dormant state to an actively growing plant.
The embryo draws energy from starches stored in the endosperm or cotyledons.
The embryo’s root emerges from the seed and develops into the primary root. Then, the stem of the embryo sprouts upward.

12. Problems that Can Occur
Old seed looses viability, percent reduced.
Even Moisture at all times
Temperature to Low or High (Field)
To shallow planted (Dry)
To deep planted (Energy)

13. Post Germination Care Constant Supply of Water Low Fertilization
Bright Light reduces spindly
Maintain temperature

14. Transplanting
Seedlings can generally be transplanted after their first true leaves develop fully.
If going direct to field, more time to mature.
Hardening
Reduce water, day/night temperatures.
Handle only by leaves (not roots or stem)
Depth
Dispose of damaged or diseased plants

15. Transplanting Double water plants right after transplanting.
Water immediately
Make hole larger than
the root ball

16. Precautions for Young Plants
Sunburn
Over watering
Extreme Temperatures
Pests / Diseases