Germination, moisture content, storage fungi, field fungi, internal damage, physical damage and 1000 seed weight of corn seed lots of 7 varieties were tested and path coefficient analysis was performed. The results showed that storage fungi and moisture content played important roles in affecting the seed germination. Both facters had strong negative effects, direct and indirect, on seed germination. The indirect effect of moisture content, through its influence on the development of storage fungi, was bigger than the direct effect. Field fungi, physical damage, internal damage and 1000 seed weight were not as important as storage fungi and moisture content in terms of affecting germination ability.

A theoretical model that was used previously for predicting maize (Zea mays L.) seed imbibition, and subsequently, germination, is applied to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seeds. The proposed model takes into account the seed-soil water movements in both liquid and vapor phases under nonlimiting aeration conditions. The main variables that govern the imbibition process are (i) the seed-soil water potential difference, (ii) the seed contact area as affected by vapor or liquid transfers, and (iii) conductive properties of the seed for both liquid and vapor phases. Laboratory experiments show that (i) the imbibition process occurs both in liquid and vapor phases, (ii) wheat seed must reach a critical moisture content before germination (0.27 kg kg-1 approximately), and (iii) the rate of the imbibition depends upon the seed surface area affected by liquid or vapor transfers and on the water potential of the external medium that governs the ability of the seed to reach its critical moisture content. The proposed model is regarded as satisfactory after calibration of the seed conductive properties in liquid and vapor phases. Field experiments involved irrigated and nonirrigated treatments (31.7% clay, 42.5% loam, 25.8% sand) and manual or mechanical sowing. Moisture content, bulk density profiles, and soil porosity analyses were used to estimate the seed-soil contact area. The previous imbibition model was applied to field experiments, combining field data with the laboratory results. This model accurately predicted wheat imbibition and germination. Finally, simulated results compared the effects of climatic conditions and sowing techniques on wheat germination for three climatic sequences. Climate was the major limiting factor illustrating the importance of selecting the suitable sowing techniques to optimize the seed imbibition and germination processes.

A theoretical model that was used previously for predicting maize (Zea mays L.) seed imbibition, and subsequently, germination, is applied to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seeds. The proposed model takes into account the seed-soil water movements in both liquid and vapor phases under nonlimiting aeration conditions. The main variables that govern the imbibition process are (i) the seed-soil water potential difference, (ii) the seed contact area as affected by vapor or liquid transfers, and (iii) conductive properties of the seed for both liquid and vapor phases. Laboratory experiments show that (i) the imbibition process occurs both in liquid and vapor phases, (ii) wheat seed must reach a critical moisture content before germination (0.27 kg kg⁻¹ approximately), and (iii) the rate of the imbibition depends upon the seed surface area affected by liquid or vapor transfers and on the water potential of the external medium that governs the ability of the seed to reach its critical moisture content. The proposed model is regarded as satisfactory after calibration of the seed conductive properties in liquid and vapor phases. Field experiments involved irrigated and nonirrigated treatments (31.7% clay, 42.5% loam, 25.8% sand) and manual or mechanical sowing. Moisture content, bulk density profiles, and soil porosity analyses were used to estimate the seed-soil contact area. The previous imbibition model was applied to field experiments, combining field data with the laboratory results. This model accurately predicted wheat imbibition and germination. Finally, simulated results compared the effects of climatic conditions and sowing techniques on wheat germination for three climatic sequences. Climate was the major limiting factor illustrating the importance of selecting the suitable sowing techniques to optimize the seed imbibition and germination processes.

The effects of physical seed coat scarification and soaking in hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2) were studied to determine presowing treatments that would improve germination in seed of Vangueria infausta. This paper gives the study of two experiments one conducted in the laboratory and the other one done in the nursery. The scarification treatments were: unscarified control; partial removal of the seed coat. The other treatments involved soaking the seeds in 5 concentrations of H2 o2 i.e., 2, 4, 6and 8%, for 12h. The impact of scarification and H2O2 on other germination parameters is discussed.

The objective of the research is to know how to treat the sugar palm seed in order to produce fast germination and growth of seedling. The experiment was done in Mapanget Experimental Garden, Research Institute for Coconut, North Sulawesi, by using Randomized Block Design with 7 treatments and 3 replications. The seventh treatment, namely: (A) Control (without treatment), (B) Scarification with sand paper, (C) Soaking in water with temperature 27 degree C, along 48 hours, (D) Soaking in hot water with temperature 50 degree C, along 48 hours, (E) Soaking in 5 percent of acetic acid, along 15 minutes, (F) Soaking in 10 percent of acetic acid, along 15 minutes, and (G) Soaking in 90 percent of ethanol, along 10 minutes. The results of observation indicated that the germination of speed and the germination of capacity of sugar palm seed with scarification treatment is faster and higher than other treatments, whereas the effects of all treatments on growth of sugar palm seedling are the same.

Cultivation of soils is initially intended to prepare the seed bed for better seed germination, better root penetration, aeration and removal of unwanted plants. This good intention is however short lived because once the soil is disturbed it begins to deteriorate very rapidly unless proper management is practised. This study was to evaluate the changes in organic carbon, nitrogen, cation exchange capacity and bulk density of three intensively used Kenyan soils. Observations indicate that organic matter is the soil property most affected by cultivation and its decline has far reaching effects on chemical and physical properties of soils