Method for improving germination rate of papaya seeds and cultivating high-quality seedlings

Abstract

The invention belongs to the field of plant planting, and particularly relates to a method for improving the germination rate of papaya seeds and cultivating high-quality seedlings. Comprising the following steps: (1) seed selection: harvesting seeds on amphoteric plants when fruits are mature, taking out the seeds, removing aril, cleaning with clear water, airing, and selecting full seeds; (2) seed pretreatment; (3) peeling off testa; and (4) sowing the treated seeds in a seedling raising tray, and raising seedlings according to a conventional seedling cultivation method. According to the method, the germination rate of the papaya seeds is increased to 98.5% for the first time, the seedling time is shortened, germination and seedling emergence are neat, seedlings are thick and strong, root systems are developed, and the seedling quality is high. The method solves the problem of low germination rate or long germination time of papaya under conventional conditions, is an improvement of a papaya seedling culture key technology, and provides a simple and practical method for mass propagation of papaya seedlings. The method has the advantages of being simple in treatment process, low in cost, easy to operate and the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of plant cultivation, and in particular relates to a method for improving the germination rate of papaya seeds and cultivating high-quality seedlings. Background Technology

[0002] In most papaya-growing areas, seed propagation is done from seed. However, under natural conditions, the germination rate of seedlings is below 50%, and sometimes even below 10% in poor environmental conditions. Furthermore, germination takes a long time, ranging from 40 to 45 days, resulting in inconsistent seedling size and causing significant challenges for management and seedling delivery. In addition, seeds of superior papaya varieties are expensive, and a low germination rate greatly increases seedling costs. Therefore, improving the germination rate of papaya seeds and reducing seedling costs is an important current research direction.

[0003] To improve seed germination rate, papaya seeds have been treated with chemical substances or plant hormones, and some studies in this area have been reported both domestically and internationally. Chen Yiting reported that treatment with 1000 ppm AG3 resulted in a germination rate of 82% (Effects of Gibberellin on Germination Rate of Papaya and Guava Seeds, Fujian Fruit Trees, 1997, Issue 1). He Shu et al. reported that treatment with 100 mg / L AG3 resulted in a germination rate of 75.3% (Effects of Different Treatments on Germination Rate and Germination Potential of Papaya, Chinese Tropical Agriculture, 2007, Issue 2, pp. 42-44). Zhao Chunxiang et al. reported that treatment with 50 mg / L AG3 resulted in a germination rate of 83% (Effects of Plant Growth Regulators on Seed Vigor and Seedling Growth of Papaya, Southern China Fruit Trees, 2004, Issue 1, pp. 36-37). Gu Junwei et al. reported that soaking the seeds of "Risheng" papaya in 100 mg / L GA3 for 18 hours resulted in a germination rate of up to 97.33% (Study on the Effects of Different Plant Growth Regulators on Seed Germination of Papaya Variety "Risheng", Chinese Wild Plant Resources, 2015, Vol. 3, pp. 12-15, 19). Yang Qing et al. reported that treatment with 0.05% sodium chloride carbonate resulted in a germination rate of 89.2% (Effects of Paclobutrazol Soaking on Papaya Seedling Growth, Chinese Fruit Trees, 2008, Vol. 6, pp. 31-32).

[0004] However, treating seeds with chemicals or plant hormones is a double-edged sword. While bringing significant agronomic benefits, it also carries multiple risks to the ecology, health, and agricultural systems. Therefore, the future of seed treatment should be towards greater precision, eco-friendliness, and sustainability. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by this invention is to provide a method for improving the germination rate of papaya seeds and cultivating high-quality seedlings. It adopts a purely natural seed treatment method, which solves the problem of low germination rate of papaya seeds under natural conditions, while reducing seedling production costs, resulting in high germination rate and good seedling quality.

[0006] This invention is implemented as follows: A method for improving the germination rate of papaya seeds and cultivating high-quality seedlings includes the following steps: (1) Seed selection: Harvest the seeds of the fruits of hermaphroditic plants when they are mature. After taking out the seeds, remove the aril, wash them with clean water and dry them. Select plump seeds. (2) Seed pretreatment; (3) Peel off the outer seed coat; (4) Sow the treated seeds in a seedling tray and raise seedlings according to conventional seedling cultivation methods.

[0007] Furthermore, the fruit described in step (1) comes from a papaya hermaphroditic plant with oblong hermaphroditic flowers. Taking the fruit from the oblong hermaphroditic flowers is a basic condition for maintaining the stability of papaya seedlings.

[0008] Furthermore, the seed pretreatment in step (2) includes soaking the seeds.

[0009] Furthermore, the soaking process includes chemical soaking and water soaking.

[0010] Specifically, the agents used for seed soaking include a 500-fold dilution of methyl thiophanate and a 100-fold dilution of carbendazim.

[0011] Further, in step (3), the outer seed coat is peeled off by hand, removing one-quarter of the outer seed coat from both ends of the seed.

[0012] Furthermore, in step (4), after the seedlings have grown 3 true leaves, water them every 5 days with a 3%-5% solution of wood ash soaked in a mixture of burnt weeds and peanut shells. At the same time, add 100 ml of leek juice per kilogram of solution to increase the mineral elements that promote the shortening of internodes of the seedlings. Water them 3 times in a row to promote the healthy growth of the seedlings. The present invention has the following advantages: This invention, for the first time, increases the germination rate of papaya seeds to over 98.5%, shortens the seedling time, and results in uniform germination and emergence, robust seedlings with well-developed root systems and superior seedling quality. It solves the problem of low germination rates or long germination times in papaya under conventional conditions, representing an improvement in key papaya seedling cultivation technology and providing a simple and practical method for the mass propagation of papaya seedlings. This invention has advantages such as simple processing, low cost, and ease of operation. Attached Figure Description

[0013] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0014] Figure 1 Photographs of the outer seed coats of seeds under different treatments; from left to right, they represent treatment A, treatment C, treatment B, treatment D, and control CK.

[0015] Figure 2 Seedlings with different seed coats from different treatments; from left to right, treatment A and control CK are shown. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The technical solution of the present invention will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Unless otherwise specified in the embodiments, conditions are performed according to conventional conditions or conditions recommended by the manufacturer. Reagents used without a specified manufacturer are all commercially available conventional products.

[0017] Example 1 (February 20, 2025) 1. Selection of Pseudolarix seed: Harvest the seeds from the mature fruits of oblong hermaphroditic plants. The outer seed coat is surrounded by a layer of transparent, gelatinous aril. After the seeds are extracted, remove the aril, wash them with clean water, and dry them. Select plump seeds for later use.

[0018] 2. Seed pretreatment: Soak 800 seeds in a solution of 500 times dilution of methyl thiophanate and 100 times dilution of carbendazim for half an hour. After soaking, rinse with clean water and soak in clean water for 24 hours. After soaking, rinse with clean water and set aside.

[0019] Peel the outer seed coat by hand: Remove one-quarter of the outer seed coat from both ends of 200 seeds (Treatment A); remove one-quarter of the outer seed coat from one end of 200 seeds (Treatment B); remove half of the outer seed coat from the middle of 200 seeds (Treatment C); remove the outer seed coat from all 200 seeds (Treatment D); leave 200 seeds unpeeled (Control CK). Figure 1 As shown.

[0020] 3. Timely sowing: Sow in 32-cell seedling trays. Use "Zhonggeng Seedling Substrate" brand high-quality seedling substrate for seedlings. Sow seeds at a depth of 0.5 cm. Water thoroughly after sowing. Place the seedling trays in a 28-degree constant temperature room and keep the substrate moisture at 70%.

[0021] 4. Cultivate seedlings according to conventional seedling cultivation methods. After the seedlings have grown 3 true leaves, water them every 5 days with a 3%-5% solution of wood ash soaked in a mixture of burnt weeds and peanut shells. At the same time, add 100 ml of leek juice per kilogram of solution to increase the potassium, iron, magnesium and other mineral elements that promote the shortening of internodes in the seedlings. Water them for 3 consecutive times to promote the healthy growth of the seedlings.

[0022] 5. Germination time: Cotyledons of treatments A, B, C, and D began to emerge on day 6 after sowing and were fully grown by day 10. Cotyledons of the control group began to emerge on day 7 and were fully grown by day 12.

[0023] 6. Germination rate check: Treatment A: 200 seeds, 197 germinated, germination rate 98.5%. Treatment B: 200 seeds, 190 germinated, germination rate 95%. Treatment C: 200 seeds, 195 germinated, germination rate 97.5%. Treatment D: 200 seeds, 196 germinated, germination rate 98%. Control (CK): 200 seeds, 150 germinated, germination rate 75%.

[0024] 7. Seedling growth vigor: After the seedlings emerged, they were managed according to standard procedures. An assessment was conducted when they reached 5-7 leaves. Seedlings in treatment A showed uniform growth, vigorous plant growth, and thick stems. Seedlings in treatment B also showed uniform growth, relatively vigorous plant growth, and thicker stems. Seedlings in treatments C and D showed uniform growth, but relatively weak plant growth and smaller stems. The control seedlings showed uniform growth and normal plant growth. Figure 2 As shown.

[0025] 8. Time of transplanting and seedling quality: Seedlings in treatment A were transplanted after 30 days, with a plant height of 25 cm, stem diameter of 0.6 cm, and 50-60 roots. Seedlings in treatment B were transplanted after 33 days, with a plant height of 24 cm, stem diameter of approximately 0.55 cm, and 48-55 roots. Seedlings in treatments C and D were transplanted after 32 days, with a plant height of 20 cm, stem diameter of 0.4 cm, and 35-42 roots. The control seedlings were transplanted after 35 days, with a plant height of 23 cm, stem diameter of 0.55 cm, and 45-50 roots.

[0026] Example 2 (March 15, 2025) 1. Selection of Pseudolarix seed: Harvest the seeds from the mature fruits of oblong hermaphroditic plants. The outer seed coat is surrounded by a layer of transparent, gelatinous aril. After the seeds are extracted, remove the aril, wash them with clean water, and dry them. Select plump seeds for later use.

[0027] 2. Seed pretreatment: Soak 800 seeds in a solution of 500 times dilution of methyl thiophanate and 100 times dilution of carbendazim for half an hour. After soaking, rinse with clean water and soak in clean water for 24 hours. After soaking, rinse with clean water and set aside.

[0028] Peel the outer seed coat by hand: Remove one-quarter of the outer seed coat from both ends of 200 seeds (treatment A), remove one-quarter of the outer seed coat from one end of 200 seeds (treatment B), remove half of the outer seed coat from the middle of 200 seeds (treatment C), remove the outer seed coat from all 200 seeds (treatment D), and leave 200 seeds unpeeled (control CK).

[0029] 3. Timely sowing: Sow in 32-cell seedling trays. Use "Zhonggeng Seedling Substrate" brand high-quality seedling substrate for seedlings. Sow seeds at a depth of 0.5 cm. Water thoroughly after sowing. Place the seedling trays in a 28-degree constant temperature room and keep the substrate moisture at 70%.

[0030] 4. Cultivate seedlings according to conventional seedling cultivation methods. After the seedlings have grown 3 true leaves, water them every 5 days with a 3%-5% solution of wood ash soaked in a mixture of burnt weeds and peanut shells. At the same time, add 100 ml of leek juice per kilogram of solution to increase the potassium, iron, magnesium and other mineral elements that promote the shortening of internodes in the seedlings. Water them for 3 consecutive times to promote the healthy growth of the seedlings.

[0031] 5. Germination time: Cotyledons of treatments A, B, C, and D began to emerge on day 6 after sowing and were fully grown by day 10. In the control group, cotyledons began to emerge on day 6.5 and were fully grown by day 11.

[0032] 6. Germination rate check: Treatment A: 200 seeds, 198 germinated, germination rate 99%. Treatment B: 200 seeds, 192 germinated, germination rate 96%. Treatment C: 200 seeds, 194 germinated, germination rate 97%. Treatment D: 200 seeds, 195 germinated, germination rate 97.5%. Control (CK): 200 seeds, 140 germinated, germination rate 70%.

[0033] 7. Seedling growth vigor: After the seedlings emerged, they were managed according to standard procedures. An assessment was conducted when they reached 5-7 leaves. Seedlings in treatment A showed uniform growth, vigorous growth, and thick stems. Seedlings in treatment B also showed uniform growth, relatively vigorous growth, and thicker stems. Seedlings in treatments C and D showed uniform growth, but relatively weaker growth and smaller stems. The control seedlings showed uniform growth and normal plant development.

[0034] 8. Time of transplanting and seedling quality: Seedlings in treatment A were transplanted after 29 days, with a plant height of 25 cm, stem diameter of 0.62 cm, and 55-60 roots. Seedlings in treatment B were transplanted after 22 days, with a plant height of 23 cm, stem diameter of 0.61 cm, and 52-56 roots. Seedlings in treatments C and D were transplanted after 33 days, with a plant height of 20 cm, stem diameter of 0.45 cm, and 40-45 roots. The control seedlings were transplanted after 34 days, with a plant height of 23 cm, stem diameter of 0.6 cm, and 48-53 roots.

[0035] Example 3 (April 25, 2025) 1. Selection of Pseudolarix seed: Harvest the seeds from the mature fruits of oblong hermaphroditic plants. The outer seed coat is surrounded by a layer of transparent, gelatinous aril. After the seeds are extracted, remove the aril, wash them with clean water, and dry them. Select plump seeds for later use.

[0036] 2. Seed pretreatment: Soak 800 seeds in a solution of 500 times dilution of methyl thiophanate and 100 times dilution of carbendazim for half an hour. After soaking, rinse with clean water and soak in clean water for 24 hours. After soaking, rinse with clean water and set aside.

[0037] Peel the outer seed coat by hand: Remove one-quarter of the outer seed coat from both ends of 200 seeds (treatment A), remove one-quarter of the outer seed coat from one end of 200 seeds (treatment B), remove half of the outer seed coat from the middle of 200 seeds (treatment C), remove the outer seed coat from all 200 seeds (treatment D), and leave 200 seeds unpeeled (control CK).

[0038] 3. Timely sowing: Sow in 32-cell seedling trays. Use "Zhonggeng Seedling Substrate" brand high-quality seedling substrate for seedlings. Sow seeds at a depth of 0.5 cm. Water thoroughly after sowing. Place the seedling trays in a 28-degree constant temperature room and keep the substrate moisture at 70%.

[0039] 4. Cultivate seedlings according to conventional seedling cultivation methods. After the seedlings have grown 3 true leaves, water them every 5 days with a 3%-5% solution of wood ash soaked in a mixture of burnt weeds and peanut shells. At the same time, add 100 ml of leek juice per kilogram of solution to increase the potassium, iron, magnesium and other mineral elements that promote the shortening of internodes in the seedlings. Water them for 3 consecutive times to promote the healthy growth of the seedlings.

[0040] 5. Germination time: Cotyledons of treatments A, B, C, and D began to emerge on day 6 after sowing and were fully grown by day 10. In the control group, cotyledons began to emerge on day 7.5 and were fully grown by day 12.5.

[0041] 6. Germination rate check: Treatment A: 200 seeds, 197 germinated, germination rate 98.5%. Treatment B: 200 seeds, 188 germinated, germination rate 94%. Treatment C: 200 seeds, 195 germinated, germination rate 97.5%. Treatment D: 200 seeds, 193 germinated, germination rate 96.5%. Control (CK): 200 seeds, 145 germinated, germination rate 72.5%.

[0042] 7. Seedling growth vigor: After the seedlings emerged, they were managed according to standard procedures. An assessment was conducted when they reached 5-7 leaves. Seedlings in treatment A showed uniform growth, vigorous growth, and thick stems. Seedlings in treatment B also showed uniform growth, relatively vigorous growth, and thicker stems. Seedlings in treatments C and D showed uniform growth, but relatively weaker growth and smaller stems. The control seedlings showed uniform growth and normal plant development.

[0043] 8. Time of transplanting and seedling quality: Seedlings in treatment A were transplanted after 31 days, with a plant height of 25 cm, stem diameter of 0.59 cm, and 53-59 roots. Seedlings in treatment B were transplanted after 34 days, with a plant height of 23 cm, stem diameter of 0.53 cm, and 48-55 roots. Seedlings in treatments C and D were transplanted after 33 days, with a plant height of 20 cm, stem diameter of 0.43 cm, and 38-43 roots. The control seedlings were transplanted after 36 days, with a plant height of 23 cm, stem diameter of 0.57 cm, and 46-53 roots.

[0044] Through the above experiments, the germination rate of seeds treated with this invention (treatment A) reached over 98.67%, with a maximum of 99%. The germination rate of seeds without peeling is generally 70%-75%, and the germination rate is higher when the seed coat is peeled off by a quarter from both ends compared to peeling off only one end. The germination rate of seeds from this invention is 1.37%-31.03% higher than that of the GA3 treatment. While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, those skilled in the art should understand that the specific embodiments described are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Equivalent modifications and variations made by those skilled in the art in accordance with the spirit of the present invention should be covered within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for improving the germination rate of papaya seeds and cultivating high-quality seedlings, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: (1) Seed selection: Harvest the seeds of the fruits of hermaphroditic plants when they are mature. After taking out the seeds, remove the aril, wash them with clean water and dry them. Select plump seeds. (2) Seed pretreatment; (3) Peel off the outer seed coat; (4) Sow the treated seeds in a seedling tray and raise seedlings according to conventional seedling cultivation methods.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fruit described in step (1) comes from a papaya hermaphroditic plant with oblong hermaphroditic flowers.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The seed pretreatment in step (2) includes soaking the seeds.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that: The soaking process includes soaking in chemicals and soaking in clean water.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step (3), the outer seed coat is peeled off by hand, removing one-quarter of the outer seed coat from both ends of the seed.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step (4), after the seedlings have grown 3 true leaves, water them every 5 days with a 3%-5% solution of wood ash soaked in a mixture of burnt weeds and peanut shells. At the same time, add 100 ml of leek juice per kilogram of solution to increase the mineral elements that promote the shortening of internodes of the seedlings. Water them 3 times in a row to promote the healthy growth of the seedlings.

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