Professor DeBacco
Growers usage
Some growers may use hydrogen peroxide as a pour-through.
This can be effective for root/substrate based diseases but this lecture is focused on the germination process.
Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) as First Aid
Hydrogen peroxide (typically a 3% solution) is a mild antiseptic used on the skin to prevent infection of minor cuts, scrapes, and burns.
This product works by releasing oxygen when it is applied to the affected area.
The release of oxygen causes foaming, which helps to remove dead skin and clean the area.
Concentrated H2O2 (~35%)
Highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide (typically 25-35%) can cause a “burn” that will result in skin turning a temporarily white color as seen in the image.
Light Can Break Down H2O2
When storing solution keep it out of direct light since this will result in breaking down and reduced concentration.
This is why the storage container is a light block type of material.
Research Article
Sorokin, A., Yadav, N. S., Gaudet, D., & Kovalchuk, I. (2021). Development and Standardization of Rapid and Efficient Seed Germination Protocol for Cannabis sativa. Bio-protocol, 11(1), e3875.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7952943/
Germination Rates
Germination of 6-month-old seeds of Blueberry variety in various concentrations of hydrogen peroxide solution and water control.
A. Representative photographs of germinated seeds/seedlings in the H2O2 solution of various concentrations or water control on day 1 to day 4.
B. Comparison of germination percentage between the various concentrations of H2O2 solution or water control.
Data are shown as mean ± SE (n = 4).
In each replicate, 30 seeds were used.
Germination of 5-years old seeds
Germination of 5-years old seeds of Finola and X59 varieties in 1% hydrogen peroxide solution and water control.
Growth and survival of H2O2 solutions germinated seeds/seedlings on MS media
The Blueberry variety seeds were soaked in the H2O2 solution (germination solutions) for four days and thereafter, germinated seeds/seedlings were transferred from H2O2 solution to MS medium plates to observe the growth and survival of H2O2 solution germinated seeds/seedlings on MS medium.
The photographs were taken
Day 0
Just after transfer to MS medium plates
Day 1
After 24 h of the transfer to MS medium plates
Day 3
After 72 h of the transfer to MS medium plates on MS media.
What Does the Study Conclude?
To improve germination rates of your cannabis seeds soak the seeds overnight in a 1% H2O2 solution in the dark at room temperature.
This is great for situations that require sterility such as tissue culture.
How Can This Help My Germination Rates?
While some growers may soak seeds overnight this is often not advised, but this information can still be useful.
Simply instead of soaking your seeds in plain water you can easily add hydrogen peroxide to create a 1% solution.
Creating a 1% H2O2 Solution Part 1
Typical solution concentration purchased at drug stores is 3%.
So to create a 1% solution you…
C1 = 3%
V1 = 16oz.
C2 = 1%
V2 = ?
3% * 16oz. = 1% * V2
V2 = 48oz.
So in short the starting solution is three times as strong as needed so taking 16oz. of stock solution and adding 32oz of water will result in 48 total oz. of a 1% solution.
Creating a 1% H2O2 Solution Part 2
Concentrated H2O2 solution in this example is 32% Food Grade.
So to create a 1% solution you…
C1 = 32%
V1 = 16oz.
C2 = 1%
V2 = ?
32% * 16oz. = 1% * V2
V2 = 512oz. (4-gallons)
So in short taking 16oz. of stock solution and adding 496oz of water will result in 512 total oz. (4-gallons) of a 1% solution.
Creating a 1% H2O2 Solution Part 3
Concentrated H2O2 solution in this example is 32% Food Grade.
So to create a 1% solution you…
C1 = 32%
V1 = 2oz.
C2 = 1%
V2 = ?
32% * 2oz. = 1% * V2
V2 = 64oz.
So in short taking 2oz. of stock solution and adding 62oz of water will result in 64 total oz. of a 1% solution.
Link to Lecture Slides: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1shL2J1BinXGUKgOc6lZtahGlPshtxRSf/view?usp=sharing
*Due to the description character limit the full work cited for “Improved Cannabis Seed Germination with Hydrogen Peroxide” can be viewed at… https://docs.google.com/document/d/151Z8apu25GchE2xoX6C83VO2NJKWQEI5/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=104237452697237972847&rtpof=true&sd=true