The establishment of direct-sown germinating celery seeds in peat blocks

Abstract

SummaryAs part of a study to improve celery seed germination five methods of preparing germinating seeds for sowing were compared: (1) upon filter paper, (2) in aerated water, (3) on the surface of a gel, (4) on the surface of water, and (5) by alternate soaking and draining. The percentage germination of seeds prepared by methods (2) to (5) was not significantly different from seed prepared by the control method (1) but there was a more uniform and more rapid seedling emergence from seeds germinated by methods involving a reservoir of water or a water change (2), (4) and (5). The percentage germination of seeds ready for sowing (with the longest radicles less than 2 mm) was increased from 36.8% to 91.7% by the use of a specific gravity seed separation technique. A cold treatment was developed for improving the uniformity of seed germination. Seeds treated for 24 at 1°C following 32 himbibition at 18°C had 79% of seeds germinated at sowing time compared to 26% for the untreated control. Cold-treated seeds gave higher percentage seedling emergence from peat blocks than growth regulator-soaked and untreated germinating seeds. All treatments with germinating seeds had significantly higher percentages of seedling emergence than that from the dry seed treatment.