How to store seeds in winter? Do these ten things to ensure the germination rate

Seed germination

    Seeds, like other living organisms, carry out respiration at every moment to maintain their own life activities. The process of seed respiration is also the process of seed deterioration. How to carry out reasonable storage and preservation, maintain and improve the germination rate of seeds, and lay the foundation for a bumper harvest and abundant yield in the coming year is an extremely important task. To summarize specifically, there are ten points:

    One, pay attention to preventing high temperatures. If the temperature is too high, seeds respire vigorously and will consume too much of their own stored nutrients, reducing the germination rate. Therefore, the ambient temperature for storing seeds should preferably be around 10°C, and seeds must never be placed near a stove.

    Two, pay attention to preventing mold. The key is to control the moisture contained in the seeds themselves. The moisture content of cereal crop seeds is 12%-13%, and that of oil crop seeds is 8%-9%. If the moisture content is too high, mold is likely to occur, especially for seeds of crops such as peanuts, soybeans, and corn, which contain more oil and starch. For seed storage, crop stems and leaves, weeds, soil, and other debris must be thoroughly removed, and the storage room and storage utensils must be strictly disinfected to prevent seeds from becoming moldy due to contaminants during storage.

    Three, pay attention not to use plastic bags to hold seeds. Seeds must not be stored in plastic bags, jars that have held pickled vegetables, or bags that have held pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Because plastic bags are not breathable, seeds in the bags are forced to carry out anaerobic respiration, producing toxic substances such as alcohol and organic acids, which kill the seed embryo, cause the seeds to lose their ability to germinate, and also cause mold. Generally, clean gauze bags, hemp bags, woven bags, or baskets with lids should be chosen to hold seeds.

    Four, pay attention that seeds must not come into contact with the ground. Whether hybrid rice seeds are held in hemp bags, cloth bags, or other containers, they must not directly come into contact with the ground.

    Five, pay attention to smoke. If seeds are exposed to smoke for a long time, their activity will be reduced and the germination rate will be weakened, especially in kitchens with a lot of smoke, where seeds must not be stored.

    Six, pay attention not to store them mixed with other grains. The seeds of many crops are not easy to distinguish from ordinary grains, and with a little carelessness, seeds and grains will be mixed together. This affects the yield of the coming year. Labels should be attached both inside and outside the seed packaging bags, indicating the variety, type, and quantity, to strictly prevent mixing.

    Seven, pay attention that seeds must not be stored together with pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Seeds must not be stored in the same room as pesticides and chemical fertilizers, because many pesticides and chemical fertilizers are highly volatile, and the volatilized gases are extremely harmful to seed cells and seed embryos, directly affecting the seed germination rate.

    Eight, pay attention that they must not be exposed to sudden changes from cold to hot. Seeds stored outdoors in winter should not be moved into a warm room after severe freezing. Seeds stored indoors should also not be moved outdoors, otherwise the germination rate of the seeds will be reduced.

⟧     Nine, pay attention to insect damage and rodent damage. During seed storage, if strict storage conditions are not available, seeds are prone to insect damage and rodent damage. Insects and mice not only directly eat the seeds, but also contaminate the seeds, causing the seeds to deteriorate and reducing the germination rate.

    Ten, pay attention to frequently turning and sun-drying the seeds. If the moisture content of the seeds increases and they are not turned and sun-dried for a long time, they will become moldy and suffer insect damage, which will also affect the seed germination rate.