Detailed Explanation of Three Methods for Treating Astragalus Seeds

　　AstragalusThere are 3 methods for seed treatment; choose any 1.

(1) Alternating water temperature soaking: A few days before sowing, soak the seeds in 40°C warm water during the day, then switch to cold water at night, treating them this way for 3 consecutive days and nights. After removing them, place them in an earthenware jar, cover with a wet cloth, and keep in a warm place to promote germination. They will sprout in 3 to 4 days and can then be sown. Alternatively, place the seeds in boiling water and stir rapidly for 1 minute, then immediately pour them into cold water. Once the water temperature cools to 40°C, soak for another 2 hours, pour off the water, cover with a wet gunny sack and let them sit for 12 hours. Sow when the seeds swell or the seed coat splits.

(2) Mechanical scarification: Evenly mix 1 part fine river sand with 2 parts seeds, place on a medium-sized stone roller, spread to a thickness of 3 to 4 cm, and roll until the seed coats become roughened with burrs. After rolling, sift out the seeds, soak in 20°C warm water for 1 day, then pile them in a warm place to compost. They will germinate in about 5 days and can then be sown. Be careful not to over-roll or over-rub the seeds, otherwise the seed embryos will be damaged, the seeds will become susceptible to pathogen infection, many seeds will rot after sowing, and the emergence rate will decrease.

(3) Sulfuric acid treatment: For old, mature, hard seeds, soak in a 70% to 80% sulfuric acid solution for 3 to 5 minutes, then remove and immediately rinse under running water for 30 minutes, or wash the residual sulfuric acid off the seeds several times with clean water. Sow after they dry slightly; the germination rate can reach over 90%.