A necessary prerequisite for obtaining a high yield of tomatoes is quality 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 sprouted primordia to the total number of sown seeds, expressed as a percentage and characterizing the ability to germinate.
Quality factors and testing timing
Tomato seeds do not lose their potency for 5 - 7 years under appropriate conditions. Parameters for maintaining germination:
- time from the moment of harvesting fruits and preparing seed material;
- storage conditions;
- the degree of infection by painful bacteria and microbes;
- proper preparation for sowing.
Pre-sowing seed check allows you to timely and quickly improve their quality or completely replace it. Germination is assessed in advance. The period 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 using two methods.
First way
Germination testing begins with calibrating 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 salt (15–25 grams/500 ml of water). After 2 hours, empty, ugly, wrinkled particles are removed from the surface and thrown away. Large and medium-sized grains are selected, washed and dried. Practice shows that small specimens, if they are healthy and full, can be used and bear fruit. As a result of determining the number of seeds settled to the bottom, a conclusion is drawn about potential germination.
Selection can be carried out using an electrified plastic object, plexiglass or ebonite wiped 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 puny, weak, light mass. The procedure is repeated several times. By the number of seeds that do not stick to the plastic, you can recognize and evaluate the quality of the entire batch.
The calibration method is widely used.It is used immediately before sowing; many summer residents immediately begin sowing seedlings.
Second way
Allows you to determine the germination of seeds by soaking them, germinating them, and sowing them in the ground. Sequencing:
- A dozen randomly selected seeds are wrapped in natural fabric and filled with water for 24 hours.
- The contents are laid out on a plate and insulated with film.
- All this is placed in a warm place. Moisten the fabric regularly to prevent it from drying out.
It is useful to use melt water instead of ordinary boiled water. After a few days, pecking will occur and roots will form.
On a note! The temperature during this period should be at least 22 – 25 ºC.
Based on the number of sprouted roots, the degree of germination and germination energy of the embryos, speed, friendliness, and viability of the seedlings are assessed. For greater confidence and accuracy, plant the seedlings in a container with warm, moist soil. When the seedlings emerge on the surface of the earth, the indicators are clarified.
How to check the germination percentage of tomato seeds? It's simple. For example, 8 out of 10 seeds sprouted, the germination rate is 80%. The indicator for the entire batch will be more accurate if you take a larger amount of material for testing.
In this way, newly purchased, old, expired sachets left over from previous years are tested. Before throwing them away, check them briefly for germination.
Practicing vegetable growers believe that there is no need to be upset if there is not 100% germination in the garden - this is not the case even for standard specimens. According to research, tomato seeds with a shelf life of 3–4 years have a germination rate of 60–85%. If the value is less than 50%, sowing is not recommended.
This is interesting! Purchased seed packets always indicate a high germination rate, up to 98%. This is a laboratory indicator that is determined under ideal conditions, which are almost impossible to recreate in the countryside. 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 under actual circumstances may differ from the specifications shown. This is evidenced by reviews from summer residents, confirming the need to sow proven seeds.
Features of pre-sowing treatment
Germination and germination can be improved using some pre-preparation techniques:
- disinfection, disinfection;
- microelements treatment;
- 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 the solution, washed after 20 minutes and dried. The method is popular among summer residents; it increases the germination of tomato seeds after disinfection.
Important: do not exceed the treatment time with potassium permanganate - this reduces the germination of seedlings.
An effective disinfectant effect of the biological product “Fitosporin” was noted. Use it in accordance with the instructions. After disinfection, tomato seeds are treated with ready-made microelements; you can use a daily infusion of ash, dissolving 1 teaspoon in 250 ml of water.
The seeds are kept for 5 hours, washed and dried. Acceleration of germination is achieved by treating with biologically active substances, growth stimulants “Immunocytofit”, “Energen”, “Epin-Extra” or “Zircon”.Boron or molybdenum compounds have a positive effect on seeds.
When using microelements, you should strictly adhere to their dosage. Exceeding the concentration of the solution and prolonging the procedure time can lead to a deterioration in growth energy.
Positive results were 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, and kept in the room for 24 hours.
So, knowing how to test seeds, you can grow high-quality, undoubted, strong planting material, healthy seedlings. In the summer, a bed of tomatoes will provide the gardener with a rich harvest.
