THE EFFECT ON GERMINATION OF DRYING LEEK SEED HEADS AT DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES

Abstract

The effect of drying leek seed heads at various temperatures and temperature combinations upon seed germination was studied from 1951 to 1956. Treatments included 80°F., 95°F., 110°F., and 140°F. continuous, and 80°F. for periods up to 10 days, followed by the higher temperatures. In all seasons a continuous temperature of 80°F. resulted in seed germinating at or above the 65 per cent minimum required by the Canadian Seeds Act, while any treatment including 110°F. or higher caused below-minimum germination. Treatments of 95°F. continuous, and combinations of 80°F. and 90°F., were not significantly different from 80°F. continuous over the period 1953 to 1956, but showed marked trends towards differences in certain years. In 1953 and 1956, germinations from these treatments were well above 65 per cent but below in 1954 and 1955, when summer temperatures were cooler, as shown by heat unit data.During the 1953–56 period, drying times for the 80°F. continuous treatment averaged 33 days and for 95°F., 21 days. While a continuous temperature of 80°F. was necessary to ensure satisfactory seed germination in all seasons, it is suggested, where rapid drying is desired, that a constant temperature of 95°F. be employed when summer weather favouring maturity has preceded seed harvest.