Soil temperature conditions for vegetable crop germination. Seedlings will become leggy and fragile and will not produce to their potential if they do not have sufficient light. Don't confuse seed light requirements with what seedlings need. However, some species (e.g., Begonia, Primula, Coleus) need light to germinate (Miles and Brown 2007). Most seeds germinate best under dark conditions and might even be inhibited by light (e.g., Phacelia and Allium spp.). Not all seeds have the same light requirements. If the soil or media is not well aerated due to overwatering or compaction, the CO 2 will not dissipate and seeds can suffocate. This carbon dioxide needs to be able to move away from the seed. They need oxygen and produce carbon dioxide (CO 2). Seeds respire just like any other living organism. Aeration in the soil media allows for good gas exchange between the germinating embryo and the soil. A fine-textured seedbed and good seed-to-soil contact are necessary for optimal germination. In field soil this is generally about 50-75 percent of field capacity. At optimal temperatures, germination is rapid and uniform.Īll seeds need correct moisture to initiate internal processes leading up to germination. Anything above or below this temperature can damage seeds or make them go into dormancy. The maximum is the highest temperature at which seeds can germinate. The minimum temperature is the lowest temperature at which seeds can germinate effectively. All seeds have optimal temperature ranges for germination (Table 1). Temperature, moisture, air, and light conditions must be correct for seeds to germinate. Seeds Need the Right Environment to Germinate Each seed type has individual needs-take a minute and read about their specific germination requirements. Seeds generally "wake up" and germinate when soil moisture and temperature conditions are correct for them to grow (Miles and Brown 2007). All fully developed seeds contain an embryo and, in most plant species, a store of food reserves, wrapped in a seed coat. They must contain living, healthy embryonic tissue in order to germinate. If you intend to run your operation as certified organic, you are required to use certified organic seed and seedlings with only a few exceptions (see the "Organic Requirements"). Before exploring how to best grow your seeds and seedlings, start with the right seed.
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