Techniques of propagation by seed

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Chapter 8

• Techniques of propagation by seed

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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
• Loose and fine texture for good seed/soil contact
• No crust (organic substances and phosphorous
  help)
• Aggregates 1 - 12 mm
• Fumigate

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Techniques of propagation by seed

• Select high quality seed
• Fresh
• Tested
• Correct planting time
• Germination temperature requirements
• Production schedule
• Pretreat seeds
• Fungicide
• Priming
• Scarification
• Stratification

Balance both
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Techniques of propagation by seed

• Select proper mechanical seeder
• First developed in 1850
• Hopper, metering system, drill
• Random seeder no exact spacing
• Precision seeder preset spacing in row
• Planting _at_ proper depth
• Plant 3-4x deep as diameter of the seed
• Proper rate of sowing

Weight of seeds per unit area
Density (desired plants /unit area)

of seeds/unit wgt (seed count)
Germ. (as a decimal)
Purity (as a decimal)
X
X
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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