News Release

Mar. 7, 2019 –  You may be ready to start planting, but are your seeds? The Mar. 7 Sustainable, Secure Food blog explains how to ensure successful germination this planting season.

“As seeds absorb water, stored food materials become hydrated,” writes Chathurika Wijewardana, Mississippi State University. “Enzymes in the seed become active, producing energy for the growing seed.”

A few conditions must be present for this process to start:

1. The right temperature. “Some plants require moderate to high temperatures, but others may need cold temperatures,” Wijewardana says. This plays a major role in the success of the planting.
2. Suitable moisture. “Moisture essentially brings the seed back to life,” she writes. Too much, however, can cause seeds to rot.
3. Oxygen. Make sure the seeds can breathe. “This is why getting your soil texture right before planting can really help with your yields. Adding in some compost and making sure your garden is appropriately drained can help in this regard, too.”
4. Seed depth. This is variable depending on the seed size, Wijewardana says. “If we put small seeds in too deep, lack of oxygen will limit seed germination, or the seedling will finish its food reserve prior to reaching the soil surface. On the other hand, large seeds need a deep planting location so that roots can grow deeply for proper anchorage.”

To read the complete blog, visit Sustainable, Secure Food at https://sustainable-secure-food-blog.com/2019/03/07/what-are-the-factors-that-determine-seed-germination.

This blog is sponsored and written by members of the American Society of Agronomy and Crop Science Society of America.