Advanced Plant Propagation

Seed Propagation.

A. Factors relating to seed formation and the parent plant

1. Seed formation and maturation on the parent plant.
Dependency on abscisic acid and gibberellic acid ratios in the
control of germination (including inhibition of growth). Both
herbaceous plants and deciduous plants are controlled in this way
but to differing degrees from dormancy lasting a few hours to
months or years.

2. The development of different cycles of growth according to
environmental niche occupied by plants e.g. annuals, biennials,
perennials, deciduous trees.

3. Dual strategies of plants which produce seed and also
reproduce by natural vegetative reproduction. Examples include
strawberry, Rubus, Populus. Seasonal timing of sexual and
asexual natural reproduction.

4. Seed collection best times to collect, where seed is produced
globally, longevity. Methods of seed collection and separation of
seeds. Trueness to type, vigour. Seed quality.

5. Seed storage (including gene banks) and seed testing (including
statutory requirements). International Seed Testing Association
(ISTA).

6. Development of dormancy mechanisms especially in deciduous
plants and may include physical and chemical control of dormancy.


B. Germination conditions

1. The germination process mobilisation of reserves and the
process of cell enlargement and growth. In typical seeds a
carbohydrate reserve (often starch) is mobilised by amylase
enzymes to produce mobile sugars needed for respiration at the
meristems.

2. Moisture

3. Air (oxygen)

4. Light - dark /light (photoblastism)

5. Recalcitrant seeds cannot be stored dry.


C. Improvement of germination

1. Dormant seeds

2. Osmotic priming of seeds using polyethylene glycol

3. Fluid drilling of pre-germinated seeds including pre-germination
conditions

4. Seed treatments and coating

5. Seed grading, chitting, rubbing

6. Vigour testing


D. Establishment of Optimal Plant Populations

1. Precision sowing bedding plants, field growing. The normal
processes including sowing, pricking off standard containers.
Vacuum sowing. Precision drills. Pelleting.

2. Multigerm seeds



E. The international dimension

1. Global ownership of seed rights Plant Breeders rights

2. Old varieties

3. Protected gene material including varieties linked to specific
products e.g. herbicides.