I have saved up my chilli seeds all year, air dried them and kept them in the fridge to slow the metabolic rate
I have noticed that some seeds I have used before germinate quicker than others, and the only difference is how long the seed has been in the fridge
Is there a point where the seed reaches its ideal state and therefore, when I am ready to seed it will germinate quicker than one that hasnt been in the cool for as long?
Borrowed from: chile pepper seed saving "To maintain seed viability, they should be stored in a cool, dark, dry place preferably between 35-50°F ~ 1.6-10°C. One preferred method is to store seeds in clearly labelled water tight plastic envelopes in a Tupperware container at the bottom of the fridge. The cool, dark conditions mimic nature as the metabolism of the seeds slows down. Again, ensure seeds are sufficiently dried before storing them in the freezer as excess water/moisture can rupture the cell walls and your seeds will die!"
Moisture content should be approximately 8%, as a rule of thumb, seeds should break, not bend as you test them.
This however I understand, but I was wondering of anyone knew of what nature does during this cycle
During winter, the temp drops and the seeds hibernate, this process occurs over Nov - Feb naturally
However, I am not leaving them long in the fridge, and I was wondering if there was a trigger within the DNA of the seed that told it is now in hibernation, so when it warms up with a little moisture it is now time to germinate
If this process does occur, is it simply the process of dropping the temp on the seed or the duration of time at that temp?
Now that you've clarified your question, and I see from what direction your coming from, it will take a while longer to verify your theory, and a good one it is. One that I have no trouble accepting.
But we need qualitative assurance that, that, is actually happening. Unfortunately I'm going out to do chores now, and most likely will not be able to post back until later this evening. Say 2 or 3 am your time.
I have been trying to find out myself from the internet and cant find it anywhere
I have spoken to a friend who manipulates plant dna - still no idea
The question partly came about from reading an article about Kew Gardens in England, they have achieved storing 10% of the worlds seeds, and they store them at -270c
Above this they state there is still metabolic reaction occuring, and that got me thinking as to why some seeds I have planted, have germinated quicker than others, while still being the same species and same environment
I have been trying to find out myself from the internet and cant find it anywhere
I have spoken to a friend who manipulates plant dna - still no idea
The question partly came about from reading an article about Kew Gardens in England, they have achieved storing 10% of the worlds seeds, and they store them at -270c
Above this they state there is still metabolic reaction occuring, and that got me thinking as to why some seeds I have planted, have germinated quicker than others, while still being the same species and same environment
After seed has been prepared for storage it is usually placed in a cool, dark environment, this accomplishes two things:
1.) It is common knowledge that cold slows down the metabolic rate of organic material, which also includes the seeds genome.
Freezing seed overwinter also has a bearing on destroying fungal and parasitic diseases.
2.) Darkness keeps the genetic switch for growth turned off.
So these two factors, and your conscientious selection of seed from your garden is what determines your success rate of propagation.
Even though you state:
Quote:
while still being the same species and same environment
Unbeknownst to you, and this is very easy to do in an non-laboratory setting, you may be introducing variants in the seed selection, and storage process.
It is physically impossible for the average homeowner to watch over his or her dominion 24/7 to maintain consistency in the growing process.
Do any of your plants show any signs of stress or disease?
Are your tools, hands, and work area disinfected/kept sterile during the seed selection, and storage process?
Once the seeds are prepared, are there any inconsistencies In the storage process? The simple act of the light turning on when you open the refrigerator door is enough to disrupt the process. Dark means dark.
Any variation in temperature is a disruption, once the temp has been reached it should be maintained or inconsistencies will emerge.
I have many sites in my chest o' marks that have conducted studies on the genetics of seed dormancy, but unfortunately chili seed genes, do not make for a good study.
The studies are conducted on variants of genomes (simple structure) that are similar to the major structural groups, and then extrapolated to a specific target group.
I offer several links pertaining to seed dormancy for your further study, and I will post back if I come across any more studies pertinent to your topic.
It is an interesting subject.
I understand that home growing is never going to be accurate as you cannot control the environment
I will have a read of the aticules later when I have an hour
I guess what it comes down to to as yuo say is a veriation of preperation even though I cannot stop that, and good old fashioned mother natur producing a variation of the seeds, the thickness of the seed coat as one particular example
It is times like this I wished I had listen in school
From what I understand does this sound right?
The FLC controls the plants cycle, so when a tempreture dependant plant feels the cold, the FLC flow will either increase or decrease which will trigger the genes which triggers a change in the cycle of the plant, so in this case tell it to go dormant for the winter
Now this same process also effects the make up of the seed, which makes sense as the seed is nothing more than just a really tiny plant
However, the maternal plant will pass on the DNA to the seed, but then the FLC comes along and effects the gene structure
So in essence each seed or fruit can be slightly different to the next one, which enables the plant to evolve and not stay stagnant in its devolopment
Is this right - if so wow, you got to love mother nature
I knew that each seed would be slightly different from the next, seed coating for example is one prime reason for pregermination process
However, would you say it is the FLC that is effecting the seed genes while it grows and matures or would you say it is the FLC effecting the maternal genes which is then efefcting what part of the plants dna is dominant and therefore effect the seed
So to clarify (for myself mainly) The FLC is being effected by the environment of the plant, this in turn will always effect the certain genes in the DNA and depending on when the seeds form and mature is purely down to ultimatly the environment
Therefore, unless you can achive the perfect state of environment there is no way you a will get a complete set of seeds that match, and even then the FLC flow will not be totally constant and therefore the natural selection of evolution is maintained
Does this make sense or am I heading off to left field?
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