Cool D.I.Y. Methods in Seed Germination
Learning easily while having FUN
One of the important factor for Agriculture is the seed. A good seed can produce a good crop and in contrast a dormant seed produces a bad crop. But how would you know if the seed is viable or not?
What is Seed Germination?
Germination is the process by which plants, fungi and bacteria emerge from seeds and spores, and begin growth.Germination is the growth of an embryonic plant contained within a seed; it results in the formation of the seedling.The seed of a vascular plant is a small package produced in a fruit or cone after the union of male and female sex cells
Factors that affects Germination
Seed germination depends in both external factor and internal factor.
Important External factor are temperature, water, oxygen and sometimes light or darkness.
Important External factor are temperature, water, oxygen and sometimes light or darkness.
Temperature
Temperature affects cellular metabolic and growth rates. Seeds from different species and even seeds from the same plant germinate over a wide range of temperatures. Seeds often have a temperature range within which they will germinate, and they will not do so above or below this range. Many seeds germinate at temperatures slightly above 60-75 F (16-24 C) [room-temperature if you live in a centrally heated house], while others germinate just above freezing and others germinate only in response to alternations in temperature between warm and cool. Some seeds germinate when the soil is cool 28-40 F (-2 - 4 C), and some when the soil is warm 76-90 F (24-32 C). Some seeds require exposure to cold temperatures (vernalization) to break dormancy. Seeds in a dormant state will not germinate even if conditions are favorable. Seeds that are dependent on temperature to end dormancy have a type of physiological dormancy. For example, seeds requiring the cold of winter are inhibited from germinating until they take in water in the fall and experience cooler temperatures. Four degrees Celsius is cool enough to end dormancy for most cool dormant seeds, but some groups, especially within the family Ranunculaceae and others, need conditions cooler than -5 C. Some seeds will only germinate after hot temperatures during a forest fire which cracks their seed coats; this is a type of physical dormancy.
Water
Water is required for germination. Mature seeds are often extremely dry and need to take in significant amounts of water, relative to the dry weight of the seed, before cellular metabolism and growth can resume. Most seeds need enough water to moisten the seeds but not enough to soak them. The uptake of water by seeds is called imbibition, which leads to the swelling and the breaking of the seed coat. When seeds are formed, most plants store a food reserve with the seed, such as starch, proteins, or oils. This food reserve provides nourishment to the growing embryo. When the seed imbibes water, hydrolytic enzymes are activated which break down these stored food resources into metabolically useful chemicals.[2] After the seedling emerges from the seed coat and starts growing roots and leaves, the seedling's food reserves are typically exhausted; at this point photosynthesis provides the energy needed for continued growth and the seedling now requires a continuous supply of water, nutrients, and light.
Oxygen
Oxygen is required by the germinating seed for metabolism. It is used in aerobic respiration, the main source of the seedling's energy until it grows leaves. Oxygen is an atmospheric gas that is found in soil pore spaces; if a seed is buried too deeply within the soil or the soil is waterlogged, the seed can be oxygen starved. Some seeds have impermeable seed coats that prevent oxygen from entering the seed, causing a type of physical dormancy which is broken when the seed coat is worn away enough to allow gas exchange and water uptake from the environment.
Light or darkness
Light or darkness can be an environmental trigger for germination and is a type of physiological dormancy. Most seeds are not affected by light or darkness, but many seeds, including species found in forest settings, will not germinate until an opening in the canopy allows sufficient light for growth of the seedling.[
Different Methods of Seed Germination
Have Fun and Enjoy
~~~~~Rag doll Method~~~~~~
Rag doll method is a method of testing seeds using a towel.The towel is soaked and drain in water.
Here are the steps in testing seeds using Rag doll method
Here are the steps in testing seeds using Rag doll method
step 3
Count out 100 seeds (50 for larger seeds like corn, peanuts, and soybeans) and place them on one half of the towel. Fold the towel in half and roll it into a moderately tight tube. Place the tube in a jar or salable plastic bag and place it in warm dark place.The rag-doll should be kept in a warm place (between 75 and 85 F). A little water two times a day in the bottom of the jar or plastic bag will insure adequate moisture.
Count out 100 seeds (50 for larger seeds like corn, peanuts, and soybeans) and place them on one half of the towel. Fold the towel in half and roll it into a moderately tight tube. Place the tube in a jar or salable plastic bag and place it in warm dark place.The rag-doll should be kept in a warm place (between 75 and 85 F). A little water two times a day in the bottom of the jar or plastic bag will insure adequate moisture.
step 4
Make the first germination count for most crops in about three days. Open the towel and count the seedlings as you remove them. After another three to four days make another count. If you had 100 seeds, the number of seedlings removed equals the percentage germination.
Formula:
no. of seed germinated
Germination=is equal -------------------------- X 100
no. of seed used
Make the first germination count for most crops in about three days. Open the towel and count the seedlings as you remove them. After another three to four days make another count. If you had 100 seeds, the number of seedlings removed equals the percentage germination.
Formula:
no. of seed germinated
Germination=is equal -------------------------- X 100
no. of seed used
step 5
You can distinguish hard or firm (dormant) seeds from dead seeds by pushing
down on each non-germinated seed with the flat part of a pencil eraser. If the seed
does not flatten with gentle pressure, it is considered dead. Dead seed will usually
be moldy at the end of the test.
~~~~Plate or Dish Method~~~~
Plate or Dish method is a method of germinating seeds with the used of a plate and tissue . It's sometimes mistaken as paper-towel method because of it's steps and procedures. The difference is that this method used tissue while the latter used paper towel.
Step 1
Prepare the plate that will be used.
the diameter of the plate depends on the number of seed to germinate.
Prepare the plate that will be used.
the diameter of the plate depends on the number of seed to germinate.
Step 2
Place damp tissue on top of the plate used.
Place damp tissue on top of the plate used.
- Step 3
s
step 4
Make the first germination count for most crops in about three days. had 100 seeds, the number of seedlings removed equals the percentage germination.
Formula:
no. of seed germinated
Germination is equal -------------------------- X 100
no. of seed used
Make the first germination count for most crops in about three days. had 100 seeds, the number of seedlings removed equals the percentage germination.
Formula:
no. of seed germinated
Germination is equal -------------------------- X 100
no. of seed used
The difference between Tissue Paper and Paper Towel
Tissue paper is produced on a paper machine that has a single large steam heated drying cylinder (Yankee dryer) fitted with a hot air hood. The raw material is paper pulp. The Yankee cylinder is sprayed with adhesives to make the paper stick. Creeping is done by the Yankee's doctor blade that is scraping the dry paper off the cylinder surface. The crinkle (cropping) is controlled by the strength of the adhesive, geometry of the doctor blade, speed difference between the Yankee and final section of the paper machine and paper pulp characteristics.[1]
The highest water absorbing applications are produced with a through air drying (TAD) process. These papers contain high amounts of NBSK and CTMP. This gives a bulky paper with high wet tensile strength and good water holding capacity.[2] The TAD process uses about twice the energy compared with conventional drying of paper.
The properties are controlled by pulp quality, cropping and additives (both in base paper and as coating). The wet strength is often an important parameter for tissue paper.
AND
A paper towel (also called kitchen roll) is an absorbent textile made from paper instead of cloth. Unlike cloth towels, paper towels are disposable and intended to be used only once. Paper towels soak up water because they are loosely woven which enables water to travel between them, even against gravity. Paper towels can be individually packed (as stacks of folded towels or held coiled). Paper towels have almost the same purposes as conventional towels, such as drying hands, wiping windows, dusting and cleaning up spills. They are most commonly known for being used in kitchen. Because paper towels are disposable, they are often chosen to avoid the spreading of germs (This should cite a study rather than the website of company that produces paper towels-- they are most likely biased) [1
Tissue paper is produced on a paper machine that has a single large steam heated drying cylinder (Yankee dryer) fitted with a hot air hood. The raw material is paper pulp. The Yankee cylinder is sprayed with adhesives to make the paper stick. Creeping is done by the Yankee's doctor blade that is scraping the dry paper off the cylinder surface. The crinkle (cropping) is controlled by the strength of the adhesive, geometry of the doctor blade, speed difference between the Yankee and final section of the paper machine and paper pulp characteristics.[1]
The highest water absorbing applications are produced with a through air drying (TAD) process. These papers contain high amounts of NBSK and CTMP. This gives a bulky paper with high wet tensile strength and good water holding capacity.[2] The TAD process uses about twice the energy compared with conventional drying of paper.
The properties are controlled by pulp quality, cropping and additives (both in base paper and as coating). The wet strength is often an important parameter for tissue paper.
AND
A paper towel (also called kitchen roll) is an absorbent textile made from paper instead of cloth. Unlike cloth towels, paper towels are disposable and intended to be used only once. Paper towels soak up water because they are loosely woven which enables water to travel between them, even against gravity. Paper towels can be individually packed (as stacks of folded towels or held coiled). Paper towels have almost the same purposes as conventional towels, such as drying hands, wiping windows, dusting and cleaning up spills. They are most commonly known for being used in kitchen. Because paper towels are disposable, they are often chosen to avoid the spreading of germs (This should cite a study rather than the website of company that produces paper towels-- they are most likely biased) [1
~~~~Paper towel Method~~~~
PAPER Towel method is a method of germinating seeds with the used of a paper towel kept in a baggie or zip lock bag.
Step 1
Prepare a paper towel. The paper towel should be damp not wet.
Prepare a paper towel. The paper towel should be damp not wet.
Step 2
Place your seed on top and fold out the damp paper towel into square and smoothen the area..
Place your seed on top and fold out the damp paper towel into square and smoothen the area..
Step 3
Slide it carefully in a baggie or a zip lock.Remember to put some air into the baggie.
Slide it carefully in a baggie or a zip lock.Remember to put some air into the baggie.
Step 4
Pour water daily. Be careful in watering the paper towel, it's easy to tear down.
Pour water daily. Be careful in watering the paper towel, it's easy to tear down.
STEP 5
After 3 to 4 days, you can now count the number Germinated and use the same formula above
After 3 to 4 days, you can now count the number Germinated and use the same formula above