Performing Nursery Operations

UNIT 1: Selecting Planting Materials

PRETEST
1. A young undeveloped plant covered by a
hard coating.

a) Seed
b) Propagules
c) Seedlings
d) Cotyledon
PRETEST
2. A state wherein seeds had stopped from
germinating.

a) Seed Sowing
b) Seed Dormancy
c) Seed Testing
d) Seed Germination
PRETEST
3. A process of cutting or detaching plant parts from
the main plant and replanting them or combining
them with other plants for reproduction,
preservation and production of a hybrid type of
plant.

a) Sexual Propagation
b) Propagation Techniques
c) Plant Reproduction
d) Asexual Plant Propagation
PRETEST
4. Vegetative part of a plant which is capable of
regenerating itself and can grow into a new
plant despite being detached from its parent
plant.

a) Tubers
b) Cutting
c) Grafted Materials
d) Propagules
PRETEST
5. The following are the list of good
characteristics of Growing Media, EXCEPT

a) Sufficiently firm and dense

b) Able to form into a new element
c) High cat-ion exchange capacity
d) Low salinity
PRETEST
6. These are the third and succeeding leaves
that will sprout from the seed.

a) Hardening Off
b) Seedling
c) True Leaves
d) Third Leaf
PRETEST
7. The reproduction of plants through sexual
and asexual means.

a) Cutting
b) Grafted Materials
c) Seed testing
d) Plant Propagation
PRETEST
8. Bed of soil prepared for planting seed.

a) Seed bed
b) Garden Soil
c) Seed box
d) Seed tray
PRETEST
9. It is considered one of the most essential
components in seed germination for it helps
soften the seed coat.

a) Light
b) Water
c) Air
d) Soil
PRETEST
10.A growing media that originates from bogs.

a) Garden Soil
b) Peat Moss
c) Coco coir
d) Compost
LESSON 1: Kinds and Varieties of Planting
Materials
One important component in determining the success of crop production is knowing
what planting materials are. In this lesson, you will be able to learn what planting
materials are, their varieties and kinds, and the procedures for nurturing and
producing them.
Topic 1: Parts and Characteristics of Seeds
Topic 1: Parts and Characteristics of Seeds
Topic 1: Parts and Characteristics of Seeds
Topic 2: Types of Propagules

Propagules or Propagation Materials refers

to the vegetative part of a plant which is
capable of reproducing a new plant.
Topic 2: Types of Propagules
Topic 2: Types of Propagules
Topic 2: Types of Propagules
Topic 2: Types of Propagules
Topic 2: Types of Propagules
Topic 2: Types of Propagules
Topic 2: Types of Propagules
Topic 2: Types of Propagules
Topic 2: Types of Propagules
Topic 2: Types of Propagules
LESSON 2: Conducting Seed Testing

Seed testing refers to the method of determining the

ability of the seeds to germinate. Seed germination is
defined as a process whereby seeds may absorb water,
increase water content, swell up and then seed coat
ruptures and forms into a new plant. You need to conduct
seed testing in order to determine if the seeds meet the
quality standards.
 Topic 1: Seed Testing
• Seed testing determines the ability of the seed to germinate. This could be
identified through its germination rate. If the seeds germinate poorly, it is an
indication that it is not a good quality seed. There are three common
methods of seed testing:

1. Rag Doll Method

2. Petri Dish or Plate Method
3. Seedbed/ Seed box Method
4. Any of these methods can be used to determine seed germination.

Note: The acceptable germination rate is 80% or more. If less than 80% but above
60%, sow more seeds in order to make up for the inadequate germination rate. If
it is less than 60%, you should not use it unless there are no other available seeds.
 Topic 1: Seed Testing
Rag Doll Method
1. To perform this method, follow the procedure below:
2. Obtain random samples of the seed for testing
3. Remove the empty ones from the sample. You should have the total of 100
filled seeds
4. Write the name of the variety and the date of the test on a paper label
5. Soak a cloth in water and then squeeze the water out. This will help the seed
to stick when placed on the cloth
6. Spread the cloth on a flat surface
7. Place the seeds on the cloth. Distribute all 100 seeds evenly in rows of 10.
Start about 2cm from the edge of the cloth.
8. Place the bamboo stick along the longer edge of the cloth. Press the border of
the damp cloth against the stick and simultaneously roll the stick with the
damp cloth while moving toward the opposite border.
 Topic 1: Seed Testing
Rag Doll Method
9. To keep the seed in place, do not roll the stick without moving it toward the
opposite border
10. Secure the row by tying both ends with rubber bands or a string
11. Attach the paper label on the stick
12. Moisten the seed by dipping the ragdoll in a pail of water, about 3 dips per
day are sufficient to keep the seed moist
13. Store the ragdoll in a shaded place at room temperature of 28 degree
Celsius, not in an air-conditioned room to maintain the moisture in the cloth
14. Protect the ragdoll from rats or other pests
15. After 4-5 days, count the number of seeds that have shoots and roots. All
shoots must be longer than 1 cm. If there are not, seed viability may have
been damaged
16. Record the result. The result is more reliable if the test is based on four
ragdolls prepared at the same time
 Topic 1: Seed Testing
Petri Dish or Plate Method

To perform this method, follow the procedure below:

1. Prepare the seeds. To easily get the germination rate, you can use 100 pieces of
seeds. Do not use broken or damaged seeds.
2. Cut the tissue paper into circles based on the size of the petri dish.
3. Place the cut tissue paper in the petri dish. Do the same to the other petri dish.
4. Moisten the tissue paper.
5. Distribute the seeds evenly in the petri dish. Avoid overcrowding the dish to
allow the seeds to germinate quickly.
 Topic 1: Seed Testing
Petri Dish or Plate Method

6. Label the petri dish cover with the seed variety and the date of the test.
7. Cover the petri dishes.
8. Place the petri dish in a shaded area. Avoid placing the dish in an airconditioned
room to maintain the moisture
9. After several days, check the seeds if they have germinated then count the
numbers of seeds that have grown shoots and roots.
10. Record the result
 Topic 1: Seed Testing
Seed box Method
1. To perform this method follow the procedure below:
2. Prepare the seeds. To easily get the germination rate, you can use 100 pieces of
seeds. Do not use broken or damaged seeds.
3. Fill the seed box with soil or any growing media. Spread the soil evenly.
4. Water the soil.
5. Using a stick, make a grid of 100 equally-sized squares on the soil surface. You
can use another seed box, if necessary.
6. Sow the seeds and cover them slightly with soil.
 Topic 1: Seed Testing
Seed box Method
7. Water the soil.
8. Label the seed box by writing the seed variety and the date of the procedure.
9. Place the seed box in a shaded area. Always keep the soil moist.
10. After several days, check for signs of germination.
11. If most of the seeds have sprouted. Count the number of germinated seeds.
12. Record the result
 Topic 2: Breaking Seed Dormancy
• Seed dormancy is a condition wherein seeds
had stopped from germinating despite being
exposed in normal environmental conditions.

The following are two common methods of breaking

seed dormancy:
1. Seed Scarification
2. Seed Stratification
 Topic 2: Breaking Seed Dormancy
1. Seed Scarification

A treatment method wherein seeds are exposed abruptly into a harsh

process, mixture, or temperature to cause the removal of its hard coating or
to change its physical characteristics, making it more susceptible to water.
This can be done through cracking, breaking, scratching, rubbing with
sandpaper, soaking, etc. Seeds like morning glories, lupine, sweet pea, and
other seeds with hard coatings can undergo this treatment. You can check the
seed packet before performing the treatment to identify what type of
treatment that works best in the seed. Also, other seeds don’t need
treatment.
 Topic 2: Breaking Seed Dormancy
1. Seed Scarification

There are two types of seed scarification.

• Physical seed scarification is a method that uses physical processes to
break the seed dormancy. This can be done through nicking
or cracking to remove a portion of the seed coat to allow the embryo to
easily come out.

• Chemical seed scarification involves the use of one or more chemicals to

break seed coat.