What are the reasons for the low germination rate of rice seeds?
Rice is the most important food crop in China, and the most common method when planting it is sowing and raising seedlings, but many growers encounter the problem of low seed germination rate when sowing and raising seedlings. So what are the reasons for the low germination rate of rice seeds? Let's take a look at the detailed introduction below.
1. High temperature and high humidity climate
Generally speaking, the higher the maturity of rice at harvest, the greater its germination rate. Under normal circumstances, the seeds need 25 days to mature. The suitable temperature for rice seed germination is 30-35 degrees, and the minimum temperature is 10-15 degrees. Because the flowering parts of the seeds on the same plant are different, flowering and maturity occur at different times. Fully matured seeds have shallow dormancy and are very easy to develop, while insufficiently matured seeds have deep dormancy and are not easy to germinate. The high-temperature and rainy climate is suitable for seed germination, and the maturity period of late rice coincides with the high-temperature season, so once rainy weather occurs, the seeds will germinate in the field.
2. Improper harvest time
The dormancy period of rice is not obvious. If harvested too early, the seeds have not yet fully matured. In an environment that is not completely dry, the seeds still carry out respiration, and over time the nutrient consumption of the seeds becomes relatively serious, resulting in a low germination rate. If harvested too late, the seeds will germinate directly under high-temperature and high-humidity conditions, which will also affect the germination rate. In addition, too much moisture in the seeds will accelerate their aging and lead to a lower germination rate. Therefore, when harvesting, a suitable time must be chosen, and it should not be too early or too late.
3. Improper drying
After the seeds are harvested, they must be dried and cleaned of impurities before storage. However, because the number of seeds per unit is relatively large, the site is limited, and drying equipment is lacking. If they are not turned over in time during drying, the grain pile will heat up and steam, which can very easily burn the seed embryos, causing the seeds to lose viability and the germination rate to be close to zero.
4. Mechanical damage
The seed coats of some rice varieties are thin, and after filling they may split open, and during harvest and processing these varieties are also very prone to dehulling. After losing the protection of the seed coat, these seeds are extremely difficult to develop, and even if they germinate, they can hardly form seedlings and are prone to rotting in the field.
The above introduction to the reasons for the low germination rate of rice seeds is hoped to help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.