Learning Activity Sheet #1

Quality Seeds for Planting

At the end of the lesson, learners should be able to:

1. Select quality seeds according to prescribed characteristics.

2. Conduct seed testing to determine the percentage germination of the seed
stock.

Usually local farmers plant seeds that come their way without realizing where they
come from. Knowing where to secure good seeds will help farmers to boost production.
In securing seeds to plant one must consider the quality of the product and make sure
the seeds are adapted to the locality. It would be a waste of time if one would plant seeds
that are of low quality, not viable, or not adapted to the place.

Farmers are very much aware that the quality of seeds affects the yield of crops
but still many are using low quality seeds. This is because of the inability of some
farmers to secure good quality seeds. Good quality seeds should possess the following
characteristics:

 Damage free - seeds that do not possess cracks, holes and are not broken.
 True-to-type – seeds that carry the desirable characteristics of the parents.
 Viable – seeds that germinate and able to survive until the stored food in the
cotyledon is consumed up to the time it can support itself by absorbing
plant food nutrients from the soil through their root system.
 Free from mixtures - seeds that are free from weed seeds and other foreign
matters.
 Free from seed borne diseases
 Properly developed - the size of seeds depends upon the amount of food
stored in it. It is important that the seeds are large, plump and well
developed.

After selecting your seeds, you must also test the viability of your seeds.

Seed Testing

The operation involved in determining whether or not seeds are viable, free from
diseases, injuries and foreign matters or their combination is what we call seed testing.

Purpose of Seed Testing

 Discover whether or not the seed is true to its name, except as to variety.
 Ascertain whether or not it has intentionally adulterated.
 Remove the relative proportions of inert material and of foreign seed.
 Disclose the presence of noxious or other weed seeds.
 Find out the percentage of germination
 Find out the amount of seeds needed to plant in a given area.
 Economize labor and expenses in re-planting.
 Obtain a uniform stand of crops.
Methods of Seed Testing

Floating in water. For example, in rice, before the rice grains are sown in the field,
farmers usually submerge the seeds in a container of water to test the seeds. All floating
seeds are thrown away for they are empty and are not going to germinate. This method
is true to other seeds as well.

Breaking the seed coat. This method is practiced to seeds that have hard seed coat
especially big sized seeds like mangoes and avocado, and durian.

Winnowing – If you winnow, all the seeds that are blown away or carried away by
the wing are empty.

Germinating the seeds using the following methods:

 rag doll
 seed box
 petri dish/plate
 plastic seed trays or reusable container

Remember:

Ragdoll Method – this is done by placing the seeds at the center of each numbered
square properly distanced using a moist towel, then roll the towel with a stick. Tie both
ends with any tying material. After 3-5 days, unroll the rag and count the number of
seeds germinated.

Seed box – this is done by making shallow furrows in the seed box using your
finger and drop the seeds along the furrows. after which, cover thinly the furrows with
soil and press down slightly to hold the seeds with the soil. After 3-5 days, count the
number of seeds germinated.

Seed trays - this is closely similar to seed box method. The only difference is each
seed is sown individually in each hole in the seed tray.

Seed Germination

External conditions required in the germination of seeds.

 Viability or vitality. The seeds must e viable with a good alive embryo.
Immature and unhealthy seeds produce weal and unhealthy plants.
 Proper amount of moisture. The soil must moist. Soil must contain sufficient
quantity of moisture necessary for germination.
 Proper degree of temperature and amount of light.
 Suitability of the soil

Why do some seeds fail to germinate?

 The seeds are in their dormant stage.
 The seed coat is thick and hard.
 The seeds are immature.
 The seeds have dead embryo.
 The ground is to dry.
 The weather is too cold.
Special treatment for some seeds in order to germinate.

By cracking the seed coat. If the seed has thick and hard coat, crack or file it to
allow water and oxygen to get inside the seed. In cracking the seed, care should be
observed so as not to injure the flesh of the seed which will be the source of infection
and rotting that will cause the seed to decay.

By heating. If the seed is in dormant stage, heat it a little. By heating it up, the
embryo becomes active as it starts to grow. Overheating is also dangerous as it will kill
the embryo.

By better storage facility. The death of the seed embryo due to faulty storage
facilities may be prevented by the use of better one where seeds are kept up until
planting time.

Determining the Percentage of Germination of Seeds

Below are the rules in computing the % of germination of seeds

Rule 1: If you test 100 seeds, the number of seeds germinated equals the percentage
germination of the seeds.

Example: you tested 100 seeds of eggplant using the rag doll method, 85 seeds
germinated. The % of germination of the seeds then is 85%.

Rule 2: If you test less than or more than 100 seeds, use the formula below in
computing the % of germination of the seeds.
No. of seeds germinated
%germination = ----------------------------------- x 100
No. of seeds tested

Example: Mr. San Juan tested 125 seeds of hybrid tomato and 105 germinated. What is
the % of germination of the tomato seeds?
Computation: No. of seeds germinated
%germination = ------------------------------- x 100
No. of seeds tested

Given: no. of seeds germinated = 105

No. of seeds tested = 125

By substitution using the given formula:

105
%germination = ------- x 100
125

10,500
= ---------- x 100
125

% germination = 84%

Rule 3: If you found out that the n% of germination of your seeds is below 80, you need
to adjust your seed bulk. Use the formula below in adjusting the seed bulk.
 Amount of seeds needed
Adjusted amount of seed = ------------------------------------ x 100
% of germination

Example: You needed 200 seedlings to plant your garden. You found out that your
seeds have only 75% germination. How many seeds will you sow?

Let X = the number of seeds to sow or your adjusted seeds

Given: No. of seedlings needed = 200

% of germination = 75%
By substitution:

Amount of seeds needed

Adjusted amount of seed = ------------------------------- x 100
% 0f germination

200
X = ------- x 100
75

111
X = ------- x 100
75

X = 266.6 0r 267 seeds

Activity #1. Solve the simple problem below on how to compute percentage of
germination. Copy the problem in your activity notebook and solve following the
prescribed sequence and formula. Show your solution.

1. Mang Sebio tested 100 seeds of eggplant for his backyard gardening using the
ragdoll method. After 2 weeks, he noticed that only 78 seeds germinated out of
100 seeds sown. What is the percentage of germination?

2. On the other side Mr. Catigbak needs 250 seedlings of sweet pepper for his garden
and the seeds has only 75% germination. How many seeds will Mr. Catigbak sow
in order to meet the 250 seedlings he need

Activity #2. “Match Me”

Match Column A with the definition in column B. write only the letter in your activity
notebook.

Match Me in
Column B- Definition
Column B
1. Seed a. A young plant grown from seeds ready for
planting
2. Seedlings b. The development of the seed into a young
 plant.
3. Seed testing c. A period which a plant has no active growth in
response to harsh environmental conditions. It
also refers to the rest period of seeds.
4. Germination d. A fertilized and ripened ovule which may
develop into a plant by germination
5. Dormancy e. The operation involved in determining whether
or not seeds are viable, free from diseases,
injuries and foreign matters or their combination

Activity #3. Complete the paragraph below by filling in the blanks with the correct word
or words from the pool of options inside the box in the right. Copy the paragraph in your
activity notebook then answer.

It is important to select _________ seeds expenses

to attain _______ and quality _______. planting
Likewise, it is also necessary to _____ your good quality
seeds before _______ them to economize _____, germinate
______ and ________. time
harvest
When seeds fail to _______, treat them
dormancy
to break their _______ period and to hasten
labor
seed germination
quantity

Learning Activity Sheet #2

Preparing the Growing Media
At the end of the lesson, learners should be able to:
1. Gather the recommended growing media.
2. Prepare growing media according to prescribed mixture.
3. Sterilize prepared growing media.
4. Place growing media in prescribed containers (seed trays or seed box).

The best soil for general nursery purposes is a friable loam, rich in humus with a
proper percentage of clay. In cases that these are not available, the growing media can
be prepared by thoroughly mixing the following components:

1 part garden soil

1 part sieved sand
1 part compost
1 part sawdust or rice hull

These soil components are thoroughly mixed together and will be placed in seed
boxes, plastic bags, seed trays or germinating trays or to the seed beds.
 To ensure the safety of seedlings from soil borne diseases, sterilize the growing
media. Sterilized soil safeguards the seedlings from the attack of damping-off which
commonly destroy young seedlings in seed boxes or seed beds.

Methods of Soil Sterilization

1. Burning organic materials on the soil

A common method of soil sterilization is heating up the soil. The high temperature
will cause of death of many micro-organisms, including pathogens on the top of the
soil and insect pests with soil-dwelling stages such as cut worms.

2. Pouring boiling water to the soil

3. Solarization

Solarization as a method of soil sterilization uses the sun to heat the soil.
Solarization can control soil borne diseases, weed seeds and some nematodes
including root knot nematodes.

To solarize soil, the soil is covered with clear polyethylene or plastic sheets. The
best time is during the hot season, where there is plenty of sun. the sun heats up the
soil through the plastic and the plastic sheets keeps the heat inside the soil. The
sheets should be left in the field for 4 days.

4. Biofumigation

Soil borne pests and pathogens can be suppressed by chemical compounds that
are released during decomposition of certain crops. This is called biofumigation. The
chemical compounds that kill or suppress pathogens are principally isothiocyanates.
Those crops with biofumigation potentials are used as rotation crop, a companion or
a green manure crop.

5. Chemical treatment

Treat the soil which chemicals like formaldehyde, 1 tablespoon per gallon of water.
However, the use of chemicals is not environmentally friendly because chemicals may
kill not only destructive micro-organisms but also the beneficial ones.
Activity #1. Perform the following:
1. Gather the different growth media such as garden soil, compost soil, sieved
sand, and carbonized rice hull or sawdust.
2. Prepare a seed box measuring 0.75 square meter and 6 inches deep.
3. Choose a clean area where you are going to mix your growth media.
4. Measure 1 part of each growth medium such garden soil, compost soil,
carbonized rice hull, and sieved sand
5. Mix them thoroughly using shovel or spade.
6. Sterilize growth media using any method of your choice.
7. Air dry the sterilized growth media
8. Place it in your prepared seed box or available seed trays or plastic cup
containers (juice cups)
9. Level it thoroughly.
10. Take a picture or video and upload in FB Account Agricrops 2020-2021 (add
yourself)
 Activity #2. Match Column A with column B. Choose the letter of the correct
answer and write it in your activity green notebook.

Column A Column B
1. Seed beds A. Any activity that reduces the
spread of pathogen inoculums,
such as removal and destruction of
infected plant parts, cleaning of
tools and equipment
2. Growing media B. The process of subjecting the soil to
heat and chemicals to kill micro-
organisms and other bacteria.
3. Soil sterilization C. Prepared garden plots primarily for
production of seedlings
4. Sowing seeds D. Compose of equal parts of garden
sieved sand, compost, and saw dust
or carbonized rice hull
5. Sanitation E. The placing of and depositing of
seeds in a moist soil for good seed
germination

Learning Activity Sheet #3

Plant Propagation
At the end of the lesson, learners should be able to:

1. Identify different propagation techniques both sexually and asexually.

2. Perform plant propagation.

Plant propagation is the process of creating or perpetuating a plant species.

It is a way of multiplying useful plants using plants parts. This is very important
especially for those species that are not grown from seeds. If not through this
method, these plant species may become endangered and may eventually loss
from existence.

Grafting Method

Steps in Grafting Plants for Propagation

1. Select a smooth, clear place on the trunk or branch to be grafted and sever the
part with a clean, drawing motion of the knife, exposing a sloping surface 3-5 cm
long. Start the knife just above the center and cut toward the center and through
it, working the knife downward against the grain to prevent splitting and making
an incision about 2-4 cm deep.
 2. Take a scion, previously selected and prepared and sever a piece bearing a
number of buds, usually 10-15 cm long. Make a long, even, sloping cut just as in
the case of the stock and complete the tongue in the same manner. Make the
tongue on the proper end of the scion so that when the scion is in place the buds
will grow away from rather than towards the stocks.
3. Unite the stocks and the scion. Slip the tongue of the scion inside the tongue of
the stocks until the scion is firmly in place. See to it that the cambium layer is in
contact both the scion and the stocks.
4. With the scion in place, cover the union with a waxed string or a plastic sheet
without tying or attempting to cover the entire union. Wash all cut surfaces
thoroughly, taking care not to disturb the scion
5. After union and growth take place, cut the plastic sheet to prevent girding, unless
the same pulls apart itself.

Budding Method

Steps in Budding Plants for Propagation

1. Take well-developed buds from a terminal growth of the current season of trees of
the desired variety. These shoots are bud sticks. Clip off the leaves immediately to
stop evaporation but allow part of the leaf stalks to remain attached to the buds to
serve as handles in manipulating them.
2. Select a smooth place on the stock and make a T-shaped split through the bark. If
the bark is in condition, the flaps will loosen and turn up on the points.

3. Insert the bud. With a thin blade knife, cut a bud from the bud stalk with a
shield-shaped piece of bark and a very thin layer of wood under the slit. Slip the
bud by means of the leaf stalk handle under the loose flaps on the stock and
shove it into position. See to it that the bud goes in such direction outward as it
grows.

4. Inspect the bud in about 2 weeks. If union has taken place, cut the raffia on the
side away from the bud to prevent girding. A living bud is greenish in color, while
a dead is blackish-brown. When the bud has attained a height of about 30 cm, the
stock should be cut off smoothly and the cut surface covered with pine tar or any
house paint to prevent rotting.

Marcotting Method

Steps in Marcotting Plants for Propagation

1. Select a vigorous branch of a healthy tree which you want to propagate. Remove a
ring of bark, 3-5 cm long. Scrape the cambium layer slightly.

2. Get a moist rooting media and place it around the cut surface. Cover the growth
media with plastic sheet or coconut husk. Tie both ends. Keep the growth moist by
watering.
 3. Cut off the marcot just below the ball of growth media when it has developed
sufficient roots.
4. Remove some of the leaves from the marcot and plant the marcot in a pot big
enough for further development. Place the potted marcot in a cool and shady area
to hasten its recovery.

Cutting Method

Steps in Cutting Plants for Propagation

1. Cut a healthy matured branch from the mother plant at a desired

length.
2. Remove large leaves using scissors but let the leafstalk remain.
3. Insert about 1/3 to ½ of the cutting’s length in a prepared growth
media.
4. If you choose to plant directly the cuttings in to the soil, you may do it
like camote, kangkong, sugarcane and cassava.
5. For ginger, rhizomes cuttings must be stored in moist cold places to
sprout or produce buds before they are planted in the soil.
Activity #1. A. Match the illustration in the left with the type of plant propagation
in the right. Write your answer in your activity notebook.

Illustration Type of Plant Propagation

1.
a. Grafting

2.
b. Budding

3. c. Cutting
 4.
d. Marcotting

Activity #2. Perform the following:

1. Select a plant of your choice where you can use it as your parent plant to
do the following:
a. Grafting
b. Budding
c. Marcotting
d. Cutting
2. Follow the sequence as stipulated in this activity.
3. Take a picture or video as proof of this activity and submit or upload it in
our group chat.
4. Submit only one “live” of your asexually propagated plant before the end
of this first quarter.

Learning Activity Sheet #4

Selection of Quality Propagated Seedlings

At the end of the lesson, learners should be able to:

1. Identify and select seedlings based on prescribed characteristics.

2. Maintain the plant based on recommended practices.

Selection of quality seedlings is a way of the farmer to slowly improve the quality of
their varieties. Good seed selection is also a key in controlling pests and diseases. The
selection of seeds may also be based on market preferences such as fruit size, yields per
year, among other desirable traits

Characteristics of Good Quality Seeds and Seedlings

 Higher genetically purity

 Higher physical purity for certification
 Possession of good shape, size, color, etc. according to specifications of variety
 Higher physical soundness and weight
  Higher germination (90 to 95 depending on the crop)
 Higher physiological vigor and stamina.

Production of seedlings considering these characteristics may result

into producing quality planting materials. Production of quality planting materials is
another factor, which not only decides the establishments of plants in the field but also
useful in handling and transportation and ultimately earning of better returns.

Therefore, there is a need to educate the farmers about the standard of quality
planting materials, which differ with the plant types.

The selection of quality planting materials is the most essential task to be

performed by the nursery growers considering the prescribed characteristics and
arranging them according to varieties/species would help the farmers doing the
maintenance more simply and easy without any obstacles.

Activity #1. Complete the sentences below:

1. In selecting good and quality planting materials from the nursery I need to
select those …

2. In maintaining planting materials in the nursery, I will _______________,

_______________, and ______________ the seedlings to obtain quality and
healthy growth.

3. Choosing good quality seedlings for planting would likely produce…

Activity #2. True or False: Write the word True if the statement is right
and False if otherwise.

_______1. In the selection of quality seedlings, its prescribed characteristics is

not so essential as long as these are thriving.
_______ 2. Segregation and maintenance of selected seedlings must be counted
as of less important in producing quality seedlings for planting.

________3. Healthy, vigorous growth, height, age, and the number of leaves must
be considered in selecting quality seedlings.
________4. Thinning and pricking are maintenance activities in producing
quality seedlings.
_______ 5. Producing quality seedlings is possible using quality seed stocks.
Activity #3. Describe figures 1, 2,3, & 4 briefly. Consider the arrangement, age
and its growth condition. (5points each)

Figure 1 Figure 2

Figure 3 Figure 4

ROGER C. EVALAROZA
Agricrops -10 Teacher/NC II