Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
General Planting Procedure
Media
. All samples grown for evaluation of anthocyanin or purple pigment development of hypocotyls,
coleoptiles or shoots should be grown in sand. Soybean seedlings evaluated for metribuzin sensitivity
should also be grown in sand.
When the number of days from planting to heading or lowering, lower color or leaf characteristics
are being evaluated, samples may be planted either in sand or potting soil. Special attention must be given
to supplemental nutrient requirements. However, plants grown for 30 days or more have less likelihood of
showing deiciency stress if grown in potting soil. The planting procedure will be easier if the seeds are
planted in a thin layer of sand on top of the potting soil. The accuracy and speed of planting can be increased
by using a peg board (Fig. 9.17) to punch holes of the proper depth and spacing in the planting media which
should be thoroughly moistened prior to planting. The position of lats in a growth chamber should be
changed daily to minimize possible positional effects.
Figure 9.17. Peg board templates can be used to punch holes of the proper depth and spacing in the planting
medium.
Spacing
. When planting small-seeded legumes such as alfalfa and clovers, place four seeds 0.6 cm
deep in holes 2.5 cm apart in rows 2.5 cm apart. Thin emerging seedlings to one per hole. Plant seeds such
as wheat, oats, corn, sorghum and lettuce 1.0 cm deep and 2.0 cm apart in rows 4.0 cm apart. Plant large-
seeded legumes such as garden bean, kidney bean and soybean 2.5 cm deep and 2.5 cm apart in rows 5.0
cm apart. Plant bentgrass 0.6 cm apart in rows 2.0 cm apart. Cover the seeds lightly with planting media
and the top of the lat with clear plastic. After emergence, remove the plastic and thin seedlings to 1.2 cm
spacing within the row. Plant ryegrass seeds shallow with several seeds per hole, and space the holes 5.0 cm
apart on all sides. Thin emerging seedlings to one per hole. Seedlings from the luorescence test also can be
transplanted into the planting media and spaced 5.0 cm between rows.
