Improving Stand Establishment of Direct Seeded Vegetables in Florida

Abstract

The emergence of direct seeded vegetables can be reduced by numerous environmental and physical stresses which commonly occur at the time of sowing in Florida. Tem perature extremes, heavy rainfall, drought, and soil compac tion can greatly alter total plant stands and seedling unifor mity. A number of seed priming treatments improved germi nation and emergence of cabbage (Brassica oleracea L), car rot ( Daucus earota L), celery (Apium graveolens L), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), pepper (Capsicum annuum L), and lettuce (Lactuea sativa L). An additional improve ment in stand uniformity for a number of crops was obtained when seeds were sown with soil amendments. Use of the gel-mix (peat:vermiculite:gel combination) and/or calcined clay amendments (GrowSorb) greatly improved emergence and plant uniformity in pepper, tomato, cabbage, and lettuce sown under temperature stress.