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cab

Germination using peroxide

Just told by someone who used to work doing viability trials with seeds that its standard to soak seeds in a 2% solution of hydrogen peroxide to do this; it speeds up germination from many days to a couple of days, with many sorts of crop.

Is this true? How does it work? Anyone given it a shot? A good way to boost germination of stubborn seeds like, say, parsnip or tuberous rooted chervil?
Blue Peter

Re: Germination using peroxide

cab wrote:
Just told by someone who used to work doing viability trials with seeds that its standard to soak seeds in a 2% solution of hydrogen peroxide to do this; it speeds up germination from many days to a couple of days, with many sorts of crop.

Is this true? How does it work? Anyone given it a shot? A good way to boost germination of stubborn seeds like, say, parsnip or tuberous rooted chervil?


Interesting. It would presumably sterlize the seed (is that a benefit?). There would presumably be a gradual production of oxygen as the peroxide decomposed, would this be a benefit?


Peter.
cab

Re: Germination using peroxide

I have no idea; yes, you'll produce oxygen, and you'll kill off some microbes... What impact that has on germination and subsequent growth of the plant I don't know. Thought that before going and looking it up I'd see if anyone here has already done so and knows about it.
Cho-ku-ri

It is called Chemical Seed Stratification. Other chemicals are used too. http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/nisc/rf/2005/00000022/00000002/art00008
TAVASCAROW

I've heard of sulphuric & nitric acid being used to break dormancy in plants that usually require winter stratification but never heard of hydrogen peroxide being used & can't see how it would benefit annual/biennial crops like parsnip.
Confused
Solomon

I'm not a scientist by any stretch of the imagination, but would the peroxide perhaps break down the seed coat a bit, which would allow oxygen/water to enter, to trigger germination?
cab

I collared a plant scientist about this when I ran into her yesterday... She said that usually they use peroxide to sterilise the seed, but that she isn't aware of any impact on germination.

I'll have to have a play, see what happens. Coriander seed would seem like a good trial.
Truffle

Solomon is right... this is used a trick to increase the germination % of some difficult seeds. I've seen it used with many different tree seeds and the results can be staggering, especially for some of the pinus group. I have only seen this used on large seed and not smaller seed, but it may be worth a go. Just make sure that you don't soak them for long!

Truffle
cab

Truffle wrote:
Solomon is right... this is used a trick to increase the germination % of some difficult seeds. I've seen it used with many different tree seeds and the results can be staggering, especially for some of the pinus group. I have only seen this used on large seed and not smaller seed, but it may be worth a go. Just make sure that you don't soak them for long!

Truffle


Ahh, now this is getting really interesting Smile

With tree seeds, does it do anything to overcome the need for vernalisation in species that require that, or is that still a requirement?
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