How to Improve the Germination Rate of Leek Seeds? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Methods
Leek is one of the common vegetables in our daily lives. Leek is propagated by sowing, and when growing leek, improving the seed germination rate is extremely important, because only when the seed germination rate is improved will the economic benefits be higher. So how do you improve the germination rate of leek seeds? Let's take a look together.
1. Seed selection
Seed selection before planting is also extremely important. Whether the purchased seeds are bagged or loose, they should be placed in the sun to dry for 2-3 days. Note that when sun-drying the seeds, it is best not to let the seeds come into direct contact with the ground; you can lay down a layer of gauze or put them in another container. During sun-drying, turn the seeds several times so they are heated evenly. After sun-drying, use winnowing to remove shriveled and moldy seeds, keeping plump seeds free of pests and diseases for planting.
2. Soaking seeds in warm water
Place the seeds in warm water at about 20 degrees so they gradually swell in the warm water, enhancing the germination rate and adaptability, while also further removing shriveled seeds. When soaking seeds in warm water, the amount of water should not be too much; it only needs to submerge the seeds. Too much water may affect the seed germination rate. Soaking seeds in warm water takes 10-12 hours, so to keep and control the temperature, you can put them in an insulated box. If you do not have one, you can use a cotton quilt and hot water to keep them warm.
3. Scalding seeds with high temperature
After soaking the seeds in warm water, the next step is scalding the seeds at high temperature. At this time, use the high heat of the water to kill pathogens on the surface of and inside the seeds. It can also break seed dormancy, increase vigor and make germination easier. The hot water for scalding the seeds should be controlled between 50-60 degrees, and the scalding time should be controlled within 20 minutes; it should not be too hot or too long. At the same time, to maintain the water temperature, you can use a thermometer to check it, and once the water temperature is too low, add hot water in time. When scalding the seeds, stir constantly so they are heated evenly. After scalding, rinse them clean and dry them in the air while waiting for germination.
4. Disinfection and germination promotion
To ensure the seeds are thoroughly disinfected and sterilized, after scalding the seeds you can soak them in a low-concentration copper acid solution for 5 minutes, or soak them in low-concentration zineb for 15 minutes. Then clean the plants and wrap them in clean gauze, put them in a container, cover the mouth of the container with a wet cloth, and place it in a greenhouse at about 20 degrees to promote germination. During germination promotion, control the temperature well and turn them frequently. Rinse once a day with warm water to increase the seeds' air permeability, so the seeds do not die from lack of oxygen. After rinsing, continue promoting germination and repeat the operation. Generally, after 2-3 days, when one third of the seeds have sprouted white, they can be sown.
The above is an introduction to how to improve the germination rate of leek seeds. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.