SEEDS

GREGOR MENDEL

Mendelian genetics(which are the laws of laws of inheritance)

Monk Researched plant variation 7 traits

(http://anthro.palomar.edu/mendel /mendel)

anthro.palomar.edu/mendel

/mendel)

7 TRAITS

-flower color is purple or white -flower position is axil or terminal -stem length is long or short -seed shape is round or wrinkled -seed color is yellow or green -pod shape is inflated or constricted -pod color is yellow or green

GENERATIONS

Hybrids

(http://anthro.palomar.edu/mendel/mendel)

THREE POLLINATION

METHODSAIR BORNE- there must be no other varieties within a mile shedding pollen at the same time.

INSECT - there should be ¼ mile separating varieties. some seed saved may result from the crossing of the varieties located within this ¼ mile.

SELF- - best opportunity for home gardener. pollen transferred directly to the stigma.

(http://www.ext.colorado.edu/pubs/garden)

.

. Benefits :possess wider adaptability to environmental stress and are more uniform from plant to plant than non-hybrids. may be earlier flowers, higher yield improved disease resistance more consistent garden performer, larger and stronger.

Disadvantages- will not produce the same plant the following year. Offspring show mixture from grandparent plants instead of parents. gardeners feel that the taste does equal that of heirloom varieties.

. (www.lsuagcenter.com/mcms/webtools)

HYBRIDS

HYBRID SEEDS Tomato seeds- Early Girl, Carmelo

Hybrids are often tough, vigorous,

uniform, and productive plants. They

are bred for traits important to

commercial growers: uniform time of

maturity, ability to withstand

machine harvest, and good post-

harvest storage life. Taste is not

usually the highest priority.

Hybrid vegetable plants are

products of crosses between

two different varieties,

combining traits of the parent

plants.

Sometimes a combination is

particularly good, producing

plants with outstanding vigor,

disease resistance, and

productivity..

HEIRLOOM SEEDS. Flowers self pollinate (tomatoes and beans) At least 40 to 50 years old, passed down through the

family generations. Often have superior flavor, color or texture. Stable traits from generation to generation

EXAMPLE: Big Rainbow San Marzano tomato. Brandywine Kentucky Wonder Beans Blue Lake Beans Tender crop Beans Habanero Peppers California Wonder Peppers beans, peas lettuce, radishes

(www>extension.umn.edu/saving vegetable seeds)

•

PARTS OF SEED

www.ext.colostate.edu/m#1C47F8B

SAVING SEED Pleasurable activity Offers sense of self-sufficiency and saves money Can maintain variety not offered commercially Certain considerations: hybrid varieties are not likely to be like

the parent, open-pollinated should be used for home seed. Commercially there may be a transmission of seed diseases

(fungal, viral or bacteria) can prevent this by saving your seed. Saving seed from cross pollination crops not recommended

Self-pollinated common plants may be saved(lettuce, beans, peas, herbs and tomatoes.

www.ext.colostate.edu/p#1C47FD5

Harvest of Seeds select Healthy plants select mature seeds Select best tasting Saving of beans /peas Saving lettuce Saving tomato seeds All seeds: mark with variety, and date saved, Can test germination of seed ???

WHEN NOT TO HARVEST

Possibility of carrying seed-borne diseases

Seeds affected by frequent rains and humidity

Seeds from cross-pollinated crops

www.ext.colostate.edu/p#1C48153

STORAGE

Seeds may be kept for one year without decrease germination Moisture and storage temperature are the most important

factors the drier the seeds are, the longer they will store Never use the microwave to dry seeds Can use conventional oven if you keep the door open and the

the seed is dry at 100 degrees F for 6 hours. Direct sunlight is harsh, dry in shade is better Tightly sealed moisture proof glass containers Use sealed can or jars, rather than plastic bags Can use small amount of silica-gel added to each container Keep dry and cool 32 to 41 degrees in refrigerator Although some seed will keep for several years if stored

properly, its advisable to purchase only enough seed for use in the current year.

Good seed storage results when seeds are kept dry (below 8 percent) and temperature is keep below 40 degrees.

ttp://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/Garden/07221.html

GENETIC PURITY

SEED VIABILITY PHYSICAL PURITY

VIGOR

SEEDBORNE DISEASES AND FUNGICERTIFICATION OF SEED

www.ext.colostate.edu/p#1C47FD5

STARTING SEED WIDE RANGE OF MATERIALS STRAIGHT VERMICULITE MIXTURE OF SOILESS ARTIFICIAL MEDIUMS SHOULD BE FINE RELATIVE TO THE SEED, WELL AERATED AND

LOOSE FREE OF INSECTS, DISEASE ORGANISMS AND WEED SEED LOW IN SOUBLE SALTS, CAPABLE OF HOLDING AND MOVING

MOISTURE COMBINATION OF ONE THIRD STERIZED SOIL, 1/3 SAND OR

VERMICULITE OR PERLITE , 1/3 PEAT MOSS ALWAYS USE STERILE WASH ALL CONTAINERS , RINSE IN 10 TO 90 % BLEACH TO WATER

SOLUTION AVOID RECONTAMINATION OF THE MEDIUM AND TOOLS DON’T USE GARDEN SOIL, TOO HEAVY AND NOT STERILE, TO DRY,

DOESN’T DRAIN WELL. CONTAINER SHOULD BE 2-3 INCLES DEEP DRILL SERIES OF HOLES FOR DRAINAGE IF NEEDED CAN USE NUMEROUS TYPES OF POTS OR STRIPS, RECYCLE CONTAI ONCE SEEDLINGS GERMINATE NEED BRIGHT, LIGHT, MOVE TO

SOUTHERN WINDOW

Broadcast tiny seed over the surface and press them gently. For larger seeds, make furrows in the seedbed ¼ inch deep and two inches apart; cover seed and press until firm.. Do not let the soil dry out.

Thin plants to 2-3 inches apart when they are about 2 inches high, and transplant them to another flat, paper cups, or plant pots

TRANSPLANTING Most vegetables are ready to set in the garden when

they are 4-6 weeks old. Set only the best plants that are strong, stocky, vigorous and disease free.

Avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. Transplant when conditions are best — soon after a rain, when cloudy, or in the late afternoon.

SEEDING THE BED

(lsu. Master Gardener handbook/vegetables)

One of the functions of dormancy is to prevent a seed from germinating before it is surrounded by a favorable environment.

Seed ScarificationSeed scarification involves breaking, scratching, or softening the seed coat so that water can enter and begin the germination process. A scarification method is mechanical. Seeds are filed with a metal file, rubbed with sandpaper, or cracked with a hammer to weaken the seed coat.

(lsu agr. Master gardener handbook/botany)

DORMACY

HARDENING PROCESS the process of altering the quality of plant growth to withstand the change in

environmental conditions. Can be accomplished by gradually lowering temperatures and relative humidity and reducing water. This procedure results in an accumulation of carbohydrates and a thickening of cell walls.

should be started at least 2 weeks before planting. If possible, plants should be moved to a 45 to 50°F temperature indoor or outdoor shady location. Then gradually moved into sunlight. Each day, gradually increase the length of exposure. Reduce the frequency of watering to slow growth, but don't allow plants to wilt.

If carried to the extreme of actually stopping plant growth, significant damage can be done to certain crops. For example, cauliflower will make thumb size heads and fail to develop further if hardened too severely. Cucumbers and melons will stop growth.

(LSU.edu.agr./Master Gardener handbook/botany)

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS WaterThe first step in the germination process is the absorption of water. Even

though seeds have great absorbing power due to the nature of the seed coat, the amount of available water in the germination medium affects the uptake of water. An adequate, continuous supply of water is important to ensure germination. Once the germination process has begun, a dry period will cause the death of the embryo.

LightLight is known to stimulate or to inhibit germination of some seed. Other plants are not specific at all. Seed catalogs and seed packets often list germination or cultural tips for individual varieties. When sowing light-requiring seed, do as nature does and leave them on the soil surface. If they are covered at all, cover them lightly with fine peat moss . When starting seed in the home, supplemental light can be provided by fluorescent fixtures suspend 2 inches above the seeds for 16 hours a day.

OxygenRespiration takes place in all viable seed. The respiration in dormant seed is low, but some oxygen is required. Therefore, the medium in which the seeds are placed should be loose and well-aerated. If the oxygen supply during germination is limited or reduced, germination can be severely retarded or inhibited.

(LSU. Edu. Agr. /Master Gardener handbook /botany)

Temperature. It not only affects the germination percentage but also the rate of germination Some seeds will germinate over a wide range of temperatures, whereas others require a narrow range.(check chart)

For example, tomato seed has a minimum germination temperature of 50°F and a maximum temperature of 95°F, but an optimum germination temperature of about 80°F.. Generally, 65 to 75°F is best for most plants.

(Louisiana State Uni. Ext. /Master Gardener handbood/botany)

PROBLEMS THAT AFFECT TRANSPLANTS

1. Tall, leggy plants result usually from insufficient light. This condition may occur

if you grow the plants in a window with low light intensity or if the seedlings are

spaced too closely.

2. Slow growth. This symptom can be caused by lack of fertility, insufficient light,

or poor root growth due to wet soil. 3. Chlorosis (yellowing). When chlorophyll is

not produced in sufficient quantities, the leaves appear yellow, and growth is slow

due to lack of nitrogen. Weekly applications of a 20-20-20 fertilizer or any soluble

houseplant fertilizer should correct the problem.

4. Damping-off. Poorly drained soil or excessive watering may result in a girdling

of the seedling stems at the soil line. This is caused by several fungal organisms,

including Pythium, which are common in all soils, but are usually more of a

problem under wet conditions. Full sunshine and a well-drained potting soil usually

minimize the growth of these organisms. A suitable fungicide can be mixed with

water and used as a drench over the young seedlings, if the problem is severe.

DIRECT SEED

There are many vegetables that can be directly sown into the garden. Direct sowing is a great way to avoid transplant shock. It takes less work but involves more risk from weather, pests, diseases and erosion. Before sowing seeds directly into the garden, know what conditions are required for germination and growth. Knowing the average frost date for your area helps to avoid losing frost-sensitive plants. Some cool-season crops, such as peas and lettuce, should be planted early in the season while temperatures are low.

Sow seeds in a row or broadcast them into a well-raked seedbed. Choose a calm day. To broadcast seeds, merely scatter them over a large area in the seedbed. Cover the seeds with a fine layer of soil. To sow very small seeds, mix them with sand before scattering. Then water with a gentle spray.(Lsu.edu.agr/master gardener handbook/vegetables)

BasilBeansCarrotsCantaloupeCucumberCornLettucePeasPumpkinRadishCarrotsSpinachWatermelon

VEGETABLES DIRECT SEED

ORGANIC SEED

Understanding Organic  

Congress passed the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) of 1990. The OFPA required the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop national standards for organically produced agricultural products to assure consumers that agricultural products marketed as organic meet consistent, uniform standards. The OFPA and the National Organic Program (NOP) regulations require that agricultural products labeled as organic originate from farms or handling operations certified by a State or private entity that has been accredited by USDA.

 

Federal Seed Act-- This act protects everyone who buys seed by prohibiting false labeling and advertising of seed in interstate commerce.

 •regulates the interstate shipment of agricultural and vegetable seeds.•requires that seed shipped in interstate commerce be labeled with information that allows seed buyers to make informed choices.•Seed labeling information and advertisements pertaining to the seed must be truthful.•helps promote uniformity among State laws and fair competition within the seed trade.

www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.#1C4804E

REFERENCES

Colorado State University Agr. Extension www.ext.colorado.edu/pubs/garden - Louisiana Agr. Extension and Master Gardener Booklet - Arizona Master Gardener Manuel (Arizona.edu) - USDA. Gov - A Pacific Northwest Extension Publication PNW0170

(www>extension.umn.edu/saving vegetable seeds)