Process of Pepper Seed Germination Method
Today's editor will explain the entire process of pepper seed germination and the simplest method of pepper seedling promotion, related to the green plant aspect. It's a great piece of knowledge, recommended for collection!
Pepper greenhouse cultivation is a common technique for growing peppers, and doing a good job in seedling preparation is a fundamental condition for raising strong seedlings. It plays an important role in enhancing the yield and quality of greenhouse peppers. Currently, the main seedling preparation techniques for greenhouse vegetables include conventional seedling techniques and plug seedling techniques with matrix. With the progress of facility vegetable cultivation techniques in recent years, plug seedling techniques with matrix have replaced conventional techniques as the mainstream. This is because the technology can increase seedling production efficiency, ensure seedling quality and supply time, and more importantly, can save more than half of the seedling quantity.
In addition, pepper seedlings grown using plug seedling techniques are easy to survive and recover quickly after transplanting, thus achieving seedling standardization, intensification, and industrialization. Below, I will briefly talk about how to conduct plug pepper seedling preparation in the Enshi region.
Selection of Plug Trays
The main materials for making plug trays are polystyrene or polyurethane foam molds and black polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic trays, usually with specifications of 54.4 cm in length, 27.9 cm in width, and 3.5 to 5.5 cm in height. There are 50, 72, 98, and 128 holes in terms of hole count, and according to the weight of the trays, they can be divided into light trays weighing 130 grams, standard trays weighing 170 grams, and heavy trays weighing over 200 grams. Usually, pepper plug seedling preparation uses light trays with 72 holes.
Selection of Matrix Formula
In the selection of plug matrix, farmers often prepare it themselves to save costs, while small-scale individual plantations can purchase finished matrix directly from agricultural supply stores. Generally, the matrix components mainly include organic and inorganic substrates: common organic materials are carbonized rice husk, peat, sawdust and wood chips, straw fermentation materials, etc., among which peat is most commonly used because of its best results; common inorganic materials include perlite, cotton rock, and slag, among which perlite is most commonly used.
There are four common matrix mixture formulas:
- Peat, perlite, and straw fermentation materials mixed in a 1:1:1 ratio;- Peat, vermiculite, and perlite mixed in a 6:2:3 ratio;- Peat, carbonized rice husk, and vermiculite mixed in a 6:3:1 ratio;- Peat, vermiculite, and slag mixed in a 3:3:4 ratio.During the mixing of matrix materials, it is necessary to add one kilogram of ternary compound fertilizer or 0.5 kilograms each of diammonium phosphate, ammonium nitrate, and potassium sulfate per cubic meter of matrix. The purpose of adding these is to prevent seedling failure during the pepper seedling stage, and it is also necessary to mix 50% wettable powder of carbendazim for disinfection. It is strictly forbidden to use urea as seed fertilizer during matrix mixing, as it may reduce the germination rate of peppers. Also, if you want to adjust the matrix to benefit pepper seedling growth, you can adjust the pH of the mixed matrix to slightly acidic or near-neutral, which is more suitable for the later development and growth of peppers.
Matrix Filling
Matrix filling is also important: first, place the matrix in an open container, then slowly add water and stir until moist (so that when you grip a handful of matrix, it does not drip water), and finally, smooth off any excess matrix on the tray. This method of filling the matrix does not easily cause "cap wearing" (where the pepper seed coat encapsulates the cotyledons and emerges together, causing the cotyledons to open late and affecting the plant's photosynthesis), and the seedlings emerge uniformly. In addition, it is important to note that before filling the matrix, soil clumps should be sieved out to prevent weak seedlings from being crushed by soil clumps during seeding.
Seeding
Plug seedling preparation also requires selecting high-quality commercial seeds that are resistant to disease, drought, and stress, and suitable for the local pepper market. Additionally, the selection should be based on local climate and geographical conditions, and it is important not to neglect seed selection because plug seedling preparation has some advantages in raising strong seedlings. Before seeding, a seeding hole should be poked with a finger or seeder, with only one seed per hole and a depth of one to one and a half times the length of the seed (about one centimeter). After seeding, dry matrix should be covered on top of the hole, and then gently pressed down with the palm of the hand. Generally, seedlings can emerge in five to six days in winter and spring, and two to three days in summer and autumn.
Seedling Management Techniques
For winter and spring seedling preparation, the key limiting factors are low temperature and light, so a small arch shed can be covered on top of the plug trays for secondary coverage. In areas with conditions, a waterproof far-infrared heating film with a power of 110 watts per square meter can be laid two centimeters underground, and the trays can be gently placed on top of it. The temperature should be controlled between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius during the day, and the night temperature should be around 15 to 18 degrees Celsius. The water temperature for irrigation should also be controlled between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius and should not be directly灌溉ed with cold tap water, as it may cause an adverse effect on the seedlings. The best time for watering is early morning or late evening.
There is also a point to note: the roots of the pepper seedlings in the plug trays can grow down into the soil through the drainage holes. Therefore, the position of the trays should be moved frequently to prevent root damage during transplantation.
In the high-temperature season, the evaporation of water is high and the sunlight is strong, so pepper plug seedling preparation needs to focus on water management, adopting the principle of frequent small waterings to keep the soil layer matrix moist. Additionally, after watering each time, attention should be paid to watering the seedlings on the edge of the tray, to prevent the edge seedlings from becoming weak due to lack of water. After the matrix plug trays have germinated, watering should be controlled to prevent seedling elongation. When two to three true leaves have grown, the water requirement increases, and if the water spray is too fine, it may not meet the water requirements of the pepper seedlings. Therefore, a simple ridge can be made around the plug tray, and the bottom of the tray can be slowly watered by flooding. If the sunlight is too strong and direct at noon, a shading net can be placed on top of the greenhouse film to reduce temperature, and areas with conditions can also install fans and wet curtains for auxiliary cooling.
The above is a detailed explanation of the entire process of pepper seed germination and the simplest method of pepper seedling promotion, for your reference and suggestions only!