What are the pre-sowing treatment methods for Astragalus seeds?
How should Astragalus seeds be treated before planting? Here is an introduction. Below are several Astragalus seed treatment methods for reference: 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 continuously for 3 days and nights. After removing, place them in a clay jar, cover with a wet...
How should Astragalus seeds be treated before planting? Here is an introduction.
Below are several Astragalus seed treatment methods for reference:
1. Alternating water temperature soaking
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 continuously for 3 days and nights. After removing, place them in a clay jar, cover with a wet cloth and put them in a warm place to germinate. 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 into cold water, let the water cool to 40°C, soak for another 2 hours, pour off the water, cover with a wet burlap sack and let them sit for 12 hours. Sow when the seeds swell or the outer coat cracks
2. Mechanical damage
Mechanical damage: 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 fuzzy. After rolling, sieve out the seeds, soak in 20°C warm water for 1 day, pile them in a warm place to ferment, and they will germinate in about 5 days and can then be sown. Be careful not to roll or rub the seeds excessively, otherwise the seed embryos will be damaged and the seeds will be susceptible to pathogen infection, leading to more rotten seeds after sowing and a reduced emergence rate.
3. Sulfuric acid treatment
Sulfuric acid treatment: For old, mature, hard seeds, soak in a 70% to 80% sulfuric acid solution for 3 to 5 minutes, then quickly rinse under running water for 30 minutes, or wash the residual sulfuric acid off the seeds multiple times with clean water. Sow after briefly drying, and the germination rate can reach over 90%.
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