If the seeds are too immature, they may not be viable for planting. Seeds that are harvested too early often have a lower germination rate, meaning fewer of them will sprout and grow into new plants. If you’re saving seeds for planting, it’s best to wait until the seeds are fully mature before harvesting.
The importance of developing new techniques that would simplify the complexity and operative costs of genetic breeding plans has been widely recognized. In that sense, germination from immature seeds in sunflower is a simpler and cheaper alternative to that of in vitro embryo culture, as it is produced in non-sterile conditions. Different techniques to maximize germination percentage were tested using 15 day old seeds. The results indicate that it was important: 1) to scarify seeds and 2) to soak them in 100 ppm of gibberellic acid for 1 hour. Through the application of this technique more than 94% of the seeds germinated.
Sunflower Seed Saving: Immature & Rotten Seed Identification
FAQ
How do you know if sunflower seeds are viable?
Will old sunflower seeds germinate?
How do you tell if a sunflower seed will germinate?
Do sunflower seeds need dark to germinate?