Seed germination and crop establishment in relation to moisture content

SEED GERMINATION AND CROP

ESTABLISHMENT IN RELATION TO MOISTURE

CONTENT

ASSIGNED BYPROF. V. S. SURKUD

SUBMITTED BYBISWANATH BEHERA

Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap,but by the seeds that you plant.

- Robert Louis Stevenson

WHY TO KNOW ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

Total arable land- 143.8 Million haTotal irrigated land-30.5%

Dry Land -69.5%

Rainfall in these area is <750

SCENARIO OF DRYLAND AREAS

WHAT IS SEED…..?

Seed is a fertilized mature ovule containing an embryonic axis (embryo) stored food material (endosperm) and a protective covering (seed coat or testa).

TYPES OF SEEDS

Today two major classes of seed are

recognized (Roberts 1973):

Orthodox. Seeds which can be dried down to a low MC of around 5% (wet basis) and successfully stored at low or sub-

freezing temperatures for long periods.

Recalcitrant. Seeds which cannot survive drying below a relatively high moisture content (often in the range 20–50% wet basis) and which cannot be successfully stored for long

periods.

On the basis of Moisture Content

What is Seed Germination & Crop establishment…?Seed germination is the

resumption of active growth of embryo that

results in the rupture of seed coat and

emergence of young plant

Factors Responsible For Seed Germination

External

Water Air Temperature Light

Soil Conditio

n

Internal

Seed Reserve Dormancy Impermeabl

e Seed Coat

*

Forms Of Water Availability

Liquid

Vapor

Moi

stur

e Moisture

MoistureM

oist

ure

Available Not Available

1st Case

2nd Case

Similarly…….

1st Case

2nd Case OR DORMANCY

Effect of Moisture content

In orthodox seeds, moisture content is probably the most important single factor in determining seed longevity (Holmes and Buszewicz 1958).

Reduction in MC causes a reduction in respiration and thus slows down ageing of the seed and prolongs viability.

Harrington (1959), cited by Barner (1975b), has related MC to various processes within and around the seed as follows:

Seed moisture content %

(wet weight)

Effect

Above 45 – 60 % Germination begins

Above 18 – 20 % The seed may heat (due to a rapid rate of respiration and energy release)

Above 12 – 14 % Fungus growth can occur

Below   8 – 9 % Insect activity much reduced

4 – 8 % Sealed storage is safe.

CAUSE AND EFFECT

SOURCE- http://www.fao.org/docrep/006/ad232e/ad232e07.htm

Moisture content of some seeds for storage

Crops Moisture content in %Rice 12-25

Wheat 14-23Cereals 10-12Oilseeds 7-9Legumes 14-18

MC% 1 Month 2 Months 3 Months 4 Months

6.0 98 92 96 94

9.5 94 88 76 4

18.6 81 22 0 0

Fully Imbibed

96 95 98 96

Germination % After Storage Periods Indicated

PRECAUTIONS WE TAKE BEFORE SEED SOWING FOR GOOD

GERMINATION….

•Sowing of Pregmented seed

•Scarification

•Rabbing

• Application Of Hormones

Moisture conservation for better germination & Seedling Development

Tillage• Better structure• Increase Water

Holding capacity• Provide better

Condition For seed Germination

• Zero tillage

Fallowing• Stores excess

Moisture• Destroys harmful

pathogen

Mulching• Conserve moisture• Retards excessive

evaporation from soil

Further…..

INSITU MOISTURE CONSERVATION PRACTICES

BBF

Dead Furrow

Opening Ridge & Furrow

Tie Ridging

Bedding system

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*

*

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Have A Nice Day

“The ultimate goal of farming is not the

growing of crops, but the cultivation and

perfection of human beings.” 

― Masanobu Fukuoka