Many people soak green bean seeds before sowing them , as this is believed to improve germination rate and uniformity of seedling emergence. However, green bean seeds can actually germinate without soaking. So, is soaking better or not? Let's find out.
Is it better to soak green bean seeds or not?
Although bean seeds can germinate without soaking, it is recommended to soak them properly before sowing to improve sowing efficiency and survival rate.
What are the methods for soaking and germinating green bean seeds?
1. Seed selection
Choose seeds that are uniform in size, plump, undamaged, and free from pests and diseases. Such seeds are highly adaptable to the environment, have a high germination rate, and are likely to produce high yields.
2. Properly sun-dry the seeds.
On a sunny day, expose the selected seeds to direct sunlight for 1-2 days. This process can improve seed viability and kill some pathogens.
3. Soaking method
After sun-drying the seeds, soak them in warm water (around 50-53 degrees Celsius) for 15-20 minutes. Then remove the seeds and soak them in water at 28-30 degrees Celsius for 4-6 hours. After soaking, air-dry them. If possible, after soaking, the seeds can be disinfected by soaking them in a solution such as methyl thiophanate or trisodium phosphate for 20 minutes, then allowed to air dry.
4. Germination process
Moisten a clean gauze or paper towel with water, then wrap it around the seeds and place it in an environment of about 28℃. The seeds will sprout in about 2 days and are ready for sowing.
5. Precautions
(1) If the seeds are coated, there is no need to soak them or treat them with chemicals. You can directly sun-dry them and promote germination.
(2) The time of the entire treatment process should be strictly controlled to avoid the seeds being in an unsuitable environment for a long time. For example, the seeds should not be soaked for a long time to avoid affecting the germination rate and seedling emergence rate.
