Pre-sowing treatment of vegetable seeds is very important

There are many methods for treating vegetable seeds; you can choose one of the following methods or apply several together.

I. Sun-drying seeds

Before sowing, choose a sunny day, spread the seeds out on a gauze net or cloth and sun-dry them for 1-2 days, turning them promptly; this can promote after-ripening of the seeds, stimulate seed germination, and use the ultraviolet rays in sunlight to kill pathogens attached to the seed coat.

II. Soaking seeds

1. Warm water soaking. Put the seeds in warm water at 50°C-55°C for 15 minutes, stirring continuously in the same direction, and when the water temperature drops to about 25°C, continue with routine soaking.

2. Hot water scalding. Put thoroughly dried seeds into hot water at 75°C-80°C and scald them quickly for 3-5 seconds, then add cold water to lower the temperature and transfer them to 25°C warm water for soaking. This soaking method uses hot water scalding to cause cracks in the dry seed coat, which helps water enter the seed. Therefore, its effect in promoting seed water absorption is relatively obvious, and it is suitable for seeds with thick seed coats that are difficult to absorb water, such as watermelon, winter melon, loofah, and bitter melon. Seeds with thin seed coats should not use this method, to avoid scalding the seed embryo.

III. Chemical disinfection

Treat seeds with pesticides to prevent the occurrence of diseases. Chemical disinfection can be divided into soaking seeds in chemical solution and mixing seeds with dry powder. Soaking seeds in chemical solution is to put the seeds into a prepared chemical solution after they have absorbed enough water; mixing seeds with dry powder is a method of treating dry seeds with an appropriate amount of technical-grade pesticide.

IV. Low-temperature and variable-temperature treatment

1. Low-temperature treatment. For seeds that have begun to germinate, place the seeds at a low temperature of about 0°C for 1-2 days, then place them at a suitable temperature to promote sprouting.

2. Variable-temperature treatment. This means placing seeds that have begun to germinate first in an environment of 1°C-5°C for 12-18 hours, then at 18°C-22°C for 12-16 hours, repeating this treatment until they sprout. Seeds treated with low temperature and variable temperature produce sturdy seedlings, have an earlier development period, are full of vitality, and have enhanced cold resistance; fruit vegetables bloom earlier and yields increase.

Chengde County Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Bureau Yang Changhong