Rapid germination method of corn

Rapid germination of corn can be achieved through soaking in warm water, promoting germination in a moist environment, temperature regulation, gibberellin treatment, and sand bed seedling cultivation. The germination speed of corn is mainly affected by factors such as seed activity, moisture, temperature, oxygen, and hormones.

1. Soaking in Warm Water

Soak corn seeds in warm water at around 40 degrees Celsius for 6-8 hours to soften the seed coat and promote water absorption. Change the water every 2 hours during the soaking process to avoid poor water quality affecting germination. Warm water can activate enzyme activity inside seeds and accelerate metabolic processes, but the water temperature should not exceed 50 degrees to avoid scalding the embryo.

2. Germination in a moist environment

Spread the soaked seeds flat on a damp gauze or sponge, cover with breathable and moisturizing material to maintain humidity. Spray water 2-3 times a day to maintain a moist environment and prevent water accumulation from causing decay. A humid environment can continuously provide water, promoting the breaking of the embryonic roots through the seed coat, and white embryonic roots can usually be seen exposed within 24-36 hours.

3. Temperature Control

Maintaining a constant temperature environment of 25-30 degrees Celsius is most conducive to corn germination, and can be done using a constant temperature box or placed in a warm place. Low temperature can slow down metabolic rate, while high temperature may damage cell structure. The nighttime temperature should not be lower than 15 degrees, and controlling the temperature difference between day and night within 5 degrees can help with neat germination.

4. Gibberellin treatment

Soaking seeds in a 20-50 mg/L gibberellin solution for 2 hours can break dormancy and promote germination. Gibberellin is a natural hormone in plants that can stimulate the synthesis of amylase and accelerate nutrient conversion. However, excessive concentration can lead to excessive growth of seedlings, and it needs to be washed with clean water after treatment.

5. Sand bed seedling cultivation

Insert the seeds into moist fine sand, with a sand cover thickness of about twice the diameter of the seeds. Sand beds have good air permeability and water retention, which can simulate soil environment and promote root development. Spray water once a day in the morning and once in the evening, and robust embryos can be observed to emerge after 3-4 days. During the germination process of corn, it is important to choose fresh and plump seeds as the germination rate of old seeds will significantly decrease. After germination, it should be transplanted into the seedling soil in a timely manner to avoid damage to the embryonic roots due to excessive length. Keep the medium moist but not too wet, provide sufficient scattered light, and gradually increase the light intensity after the seedlings grow 2-3 true leaves. Reasonably control the germination density, avoid overcrowding of seedlings that affects their growth, and lay a foundation for subsequent transplanting and planting.