How to check the germination of tomato seeds: ways to determine, find out

A necessary prerequisite for obtaining a high yield of tomatoes is a conditioned planting material, the indicator of which is germination. Summer residents, especially young ones, sometimes do not know how to check the germination of tomato seeds and determine how suitable they are for use. Germination is the ratio of the number of germinated primordia to the total number of sown seeds, expressed as a percentage and characterizing the ability to germinate.

Quality factors and testing times

Tomato seeds do not lose their strength for 5 - 7 years under appropriate conditions. Germination retention options:

• time since fruit harvest and seed harvest;
• storage conditions;
• degree of infection with diseased bacteria and germs;
• proper preparation for sowing.

Pre-sowing check of seeds allows you to timely, quickly improve their quality or completely replace them. Germination is assessed in advance. The term is determined based on the time from sowing to germination. This period averages 8-10 days. With such a lead time before the planned sowing, testing begins.

How to determine the suitability of seeds purchased in stores, markets, and other places? The procedure technique can be carried out in two ways.

First way

The germination test starts with the calibration of the seed. This process involves selecting for germination samples with a high content of nutrients that can produce quality tomatoes.

To do this, the seed mass is poured with a 3 - 5% solution of ordinary s alt (15 - 25 grams / 500 ml of water). After 2 hours, empty, ugly, wrinkled particles are removed from the surface and discarded. Grains of large and medium size are selected, washed, dried. Practice shows that small specimens, if they are he althy, full, can be used and will bear fruit. As a result of determining the number of seeds settled to the bottom, a conclusion is made about potential germination.

Sampling can be done with an electrified plastic object, plexiglass or ebonite rubbed with a woolen cloth. The test material is scattered on a smooth surface, the plastic is brought closer to a distance of 1 - 2 cm - it collects a feeble, underweight, light mass. The procedure is repeated several times. By the number of seeds that do not stick to the plastic, you can find out and evaluate the quality of the entire batch.

The calibration method is widespread. It is used immediately before sowing, many gardeners immediately start sowing seedlings after that.

Second way

Allows you to determine the germination of seeds by soaking them, germinating, sowing in the ground. Sequence of actions:

1. A dozen randomly taken seeds are wrapped in natural cloth, soaked in water for 24 hours.
2. The contents are laid out on a silver platter, insulated with foil.
3. They are placed in a warm place. Moisten the fabric regularly to keep it from drying out.

It is useful to use melted water instead of ordinary boiled water. In a few days, pecking will occur, the formation of roots.

Note! The temperature during this period should be at least 22 - 25 ºC.

The degree of germination and energy of germination of embryos, speed, friendliness, viability of seedlings are estimated by the number of germinated roots.For greater confidence, accuracy, seedlings are planted in a container with warm, moist soil. When shoots come to the surface of the earth, the indicators are specified.

How to check the percentage of germination of tomato seeds? It's simple. For example, 8 out of 10 seeds sprouted, the germination rate is 80%. The indicator for the whole batch will be more accurate if more material is taken for verification.

In this way, newly purchased, old expired bags from previous years are tested. Before throwing them away, test them briefly for germination.

Vegetable growers-practitioners believe that you should not be upset if the germination rate is not 100% in the garden - there is none even for conditioned specimens. According to studies, tomato seeds of 3 - 4 years of storage have a germination rate of 60 - 85%. Less than 50% sowing is not recommended.

This is interesting! The purchased seed packs always show a high germination value, up to 98%.This is a laboratory indicator, which is determined under ideal conditions, which is almost impossible to recreate in the country. On his plot, the gardener deals with a field value that is much smaller.

Tomatoes have many varieties, varieties, hybrids, each with its own characteristics and requirements. Actual performance in real circumstances may differ from the specifications. This is evidenced by the reviews of summer residents, confirming the need for sowing proven seeds.

Features of pre-sowing treatment

You can improve germination and germination with some pre-treatment techniques:

• decontamination, disinfection;
• treatment with trace elements;
• use of stimulants.

For disinfection, a 1% solution of potassium permanganate (5 grams / 500 ml of water) is used. A gauze bag with tomato seeds is placed in a solution, washed after 20 minutes, dried. The method is popular among summer residents, it increases the germination of tomato seeds after their disinfection.

Important: do not exceed the treatment time with potassium permanganate - this reduces the friendliness of seedlings.

Effective disinfecting effect of the biopreparation "Fitosporin" was noted. Apply it in accordance with the instructions. After disinfection, tomato seeds are treated with ready-made compositions of microelements, you can use a daily infusion of ash by dissolving 1 teaspoon in 250 ml of water.

Seeds are kept for 5 hours, washed and dried. The acceleration of germination is achieved by treatment with biologically active substances, growth stimulants "Immunocytofit", "Energen", "Epin-Extra" or "Zircon". Boron or molybdenum compounds have a positive effect on seeds.

When using trace elements, you should strictly adhere to their dosage. Exceeding the concentration of the solution, prolonging the procedure time can lead to a deterioration in growth energy.

A positive result was obtained by summer residents when treating seeds with aloe extract. The leaves of the plant are placed in the refrigerator for 5 days. Then the juice is squeezed out, the seed material is poured into it, kept in the room for 24 hours.

So, knowing how to check the seeds, you can grow high-quality, unquestionable, strong planting material, he althy seedlings. In summer, a garden with tomatoes will provide the gardener with a rich harvest.

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