Most commonly used propagules, denoted to as microcuttings (viz. NS), are used for synthetic seed production, most likely because of the fact that these explants are produced with such relative simplicity, after the micropropagation technique has been set up (Piccioni and Standardi 1995).

Advantages of synthetic seeds They maintain the clonal nature of the resulting plants. They are easy to transport. There is the ease of handling while in storage. Synthetic seeds allow economical mass propagation of elite plant varieties.

The embryos are germinated and planted, after which the seedlings are observed for several years for development of the desired blue color. The tissue from the clones that produce the best color can then be thawed and used for large-scale production of naked, hydrated somatic embryos at a lower cost than grafted trees.

Storage of artificial seeds. Artificial seeds were transferred into sterilized microcentrifuge tubes (Eppendorf, USA), each tube containing 5 seeds. Tubes were stored at temperature regimes of (5 ± 1) °C, (15 ± 1) °C, and (25 ± 1) °C for 15, 30, and 45 days without illumination.

Production of Synthetic Seed:

1. Explant is selected from choice of plant.
2. In a laboratory using tissue culture techniques callus is induced in the explants.
3. Using tissue culture techniques somatic embryo is induced in the callus.
4. Somatic embryo are proliferated.
5. Histodifferentiation and maturation of somatic embryo.

Somatic embryos formed within 7-28 days were used as explant/materials for preparing synthetic seed in the subsequent experiments. MS medium was used as the basal medium supplemented by phytohormone and carbon sources. Sodium alginate was added to the medium and mixed well to make a homogenous solution.

Recalcitrant seeds are seeds that do not survive drying and freezing during ex-situ conservation. By and large, these seeds cannot resist the effects of drying or temperatures less than 10 °C (50 °F); thus, they cannot be stored for long periods like orthodox seeds because they can lose their viability.

Seeds of different Citrus species vary widely in their level of DT (Khan et al. 2003). C. limon seeds have been considered orthodox, intermediate or recalcitrant by different studies (Khan et al.

Some common examples of plants that produce recalcitrant seeds (which are generally larger than orthodox seeds) include, avocado, cacao, coconut, jackfruit, lychee, mango, rubber, tea, some horticultural trees, and several plants used in traditional medicine.

Germination is a stage where the plant grows from a seed. All seeds need moisture, oxygen and right temperature to germinate, or grow. When the seeds start to grow their own roots, stems, and leaves, they are often called sprouts.

Ripe seeds are yellow, brown or black, hard, and contained in a seedpod that is (usually) white or brown and dry. Ripe seeds usually come out of the seedpod easily. Here are some examples of common seeds and their seedpods which are NOT ripe.

The Seed Germination Process :

• Imbibition: water fills the seed.
• The water activates enzymes that begin the plant’s growth.
• The seed grows a root to access water underground.
• The seed grows shoots that grow towards the sun.
• The shoots grow leaves and begin photmorphogenesis. Answer verified by Toppr.

All seeds will be viable for one to two years. After two years, germination rates will drop for many types of seeds, and will eventually fall to zero. So, stocking up on seeds ‘for an emergency’ isn’t a good idea, because they don’t last forever.

How to Start Vegetable Seeds Indoors

1. Purchase your seeds from a trusted source.
2. Pot with seed-starting mix.
3. Make sure your containers have drainage holes.
4. Plant seeds at the proper depth.
5. After sowing, set the containers in a warm location.
6. Keep seed-starting mix moist.

You can use egg cartons as a seed-starting tray! Depending on the type of carton you have, you can even cut apart the individual sections and plant them, as the carton will biodegrade. Be sure to poke small holes for drainage, and put the cartons on a tray or in a shallow pan to catch any residual water.

My Personal Frugal Tips to Start Seeds:

1. Use leftover plastic garden containers you previously bought flowers in.
2. Egg cartons are a great way to start seeds indoors.
3. Label your containers.
4. Use Yoplait Kids Plastic Cups/ or any other item in your kitchen to start your seeds indoors.

When to Start Seeds Indoors As a general rule, most annual vegetables should be sown indoors about six weeks before the last frost in your area. See local frost dates.

A short list of seeds that like to soak are peas, beans, pumpkins and other winter squash, chard, beets, sunflower, lupine, fava beans, and cucumbers. Most other medium-to-large vegetable and flower seeds with thick coats benefit from soaking.

Do you water seeds every day? Yes, seeds normally need to be watered at least once per day to keep the soil moist, not permitting it to dry out. In especially warm climates (or depending on your soil or garden setup), you may need to water more than once per day.

Seedlings otherwise can become root-bound if not given adequate space for the roots. Typically, after sowing the seeds, the cell trays are used for around 3-4 weeks before transplanting occurs – whether it be to an outdoor plot or into a larger container.

Light may actually stunt the process of germination. At this point and beyond, it can be helpful to distinguish between the lighting needs of seeds as they burrow in the soil and the light they need once they sprout and become seedlings. All seedlings need sunlight to grow strong.

A fine-textured seedbed and good seed-to-soil contact are necessary for optimal germination. Most seeds germinate best under dark conditions and might even be inhibited by light (e.g., Phacelia and Allium spp.). However, some species (e.g., Begonia, Primula, Coleus) need light to germinate (Miles and Brown 2007).

16-18 hours

Another option is to tuck seeds directly into soil outdoors. Planting seeds this way is called direct sowing, and it is an easy process that yields great results. Even so, many vegetables, annuals, herbs and perennials sprout easily from seed sown directly into garden soil.