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Entry Date
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Nick Name
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Location
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Tuesday, March 25, 2025
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Hough
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Missouri
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Entry 14 of 16 |
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So I decided to try a few different methods for seed sterilization, but the results were less than ideal. Overall germination was poor in all tests even one without any sterilization, but there were a few take aways from the test. I used the ziploc bag and damp paper towel method to be able to view the seeds, and because I was testing so many seeds at once. This was the problem. So Conclusion #1 is don't use wet paper towel and plastic bags, its impossible to get the moisture just right (in my case it was too dry). Conclusion # 2 is that there was no difference in germination using 10% bleach soak, hydrogen peroxide, or the hot water method. Conclusion # 3 there was no difference in germination after sterilization between sanded and unsanded seeds.
The test went as follows. I used 2 different types of seeds for the test one was a very hard/thick shell, the other closer to a field pumpkin seed, a little smaller and softer shell. I used 4 seeds of each type, 2 with sanded edges, and 2 without sanding, so that's 8 total seeds in each type of sterilization method. The different methods tested were hot water bath (130 degrees for 15 min https://projects.sare.org/sare_project/gnc15-217/ ), 3% hydrogen peroxide, 10% bleach/water, 50% bleach/water (for an extreme), and just water for the control. All seeds were totally submerged for 45 minutes (hot water for 15). The 40 seeds were then placed on (apparently not damp enough) paper towels and bagged, then kept in my germination chamber at 85 degrees...
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