Seed Science and Technology

LABORATORY EXCERCISE
Seed Testing - Purity and Germination

Introduction
Seed testing is the cornerstone of all other seed technologies. It is the means by which we
measure the viability and all the physical factors that regulate the use and maintenance of
seeds. Everything that is done with seeds should have some test information to guide the
work and ensure high quality. Seed tests tell if a crop of seeds is worth collecting, if handling
procedures are correct, and how many potential seedlings are available for regeneration.
Seed testing is related to health status of seed. Sowing healthy seeds of high quality is our
concern to improve crop yields thus increasing food production. It has a great concern to
farmers and seed producing agencies where the diseases is high and average yields are low
and where more food is needed to feed the ever-increasing population. So, it is important to
test the seeds for disease organism before they are sown in the field and to avoid harmful
organisms travelling from infected to non-infected areas within a country or across
international boundaries.

Objectives
1. To expose students to various types of test in determination of seed quality.
2. To provide hands-on for students to perform seed testing.
3. To expose students the importance of seed testing and the parameters to be taken
during seed testing.

Materials
Various types of seeds: green beans, black eyed peas, soy beans, ladyfinger, long beans, red
beans, Brassica spp., vines, unknown seeds, inert matter.

Methodology
Seed physical purity test is the most fundamental and the first test to be carried out in seed
testing, as the subsequent tests are made only on the pure seed component. Seeds
provided by the lecturer were divided into smaller portion but representing whole seed
sample and not bias. Seeds were weight and by using forceps and thin ruler, seeds were
divided into various components accordingly (pure seeds, other seeds, and inert matter).
Finally, each component was weight and percentages of each component were calculated.

According to Seed Testing Rules of Association of Official Seed Analyst (AOSA) and
International Seed Testing Association (ISTA), filter papers, blotters, paper towels, cellulose
papers, sponge rok sand, vermiculite, terralite, or a mixture of 50 percent sand and perlite
or vermiculite, or soil are acceptable substrata for germination various seed. In this
germination test, rolled paper towel germination technique and sand germination
technique were employed.

For rolled paper towel germination test, fifty pure seeds were used. Five seeds were
arranged per lane, in ten lanes, on moistened kitchen towel. To facilitate observation, wax
paper was used when rolling the kitchen towel. Similar amount of seeds were used in sand
germination test. Sand was washed and put on the container. Five long lanes were produced
using a ruler and ten seeds were arranged per lane.

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For both tests, samples were incubated at room temperature, away from direct sunlight.
Moisture of the medium was maintained and data was collected in two days interval for ten
days. Percentage of germination, contamination, and dormancy were calculated.

For moisture content determination, three aluminium foils (“boat”) were prepared and
filled with ten pure seeds each. Seeds were then dried in the oven at 103°C for 18 hours.
Weight of seeds before and after drying was identified and moisture content of seeds was
calculated.

Results
See the appendix

Discussion
Seed Purity Test
Seed purity denotes the composition of a particular seed lot. It is based on physical
determination of the components present and include percentage by weight of pure seeds
(working sample represented by the crop species of which the lot is being tested), other
crop seeds (seeds other than seed being tested), weed seed (seeds present from plants
considered as weed), and inert matter (materials that is not seed) (Copeland, 2001).

Seed packet tested in this experiment containing 93.31% pure seeds (mung bean seeds),
6.21% other crops seeds, 0.48% inert matters, and no weed seeds. According to Copeland
(2001), amount of other seeds is better to be below 5%. Although no weeds are found this
sample, other crop seeds may cause detrimental effect to livelihood of pure seeds (in terms
of competition of soil nutrients and space) if it was “accidently” grown in the same place
with the pure seed. This batch of seeds has moderate quality and it is advisable to buy a
seeds with at least 95% purity.

The purity test is perhaps the most complex and exacting of all tests for seed quality. A seed
analyst must have a comprehensive knowledge of seed structure and function and must be
able to identify a wide array of differing species.

Seed Germination Test

Germination has been defined as “the emergence and development from the seed embryo
of those essential structures which, for the kind of seed tested indicate its ability to develop
into a normal plant under favourable, conditions in soil” (Sweedman and Merritt, 2006).
Germination test used to ratify the seeds that follow those rules. The seedlings lacking of an
essential structure, showing weak or unbalanced development, decay or damage or damage
affecting the normal development of seedling are not considered or calculated in
germination percentage. Factors that can affect the performance of seed in germination
tests include: diseased seed, old seed, mechanically damaged seed, seed stored under high
moisture and excessive heating of seed during storage or drying (Basra, 2006).

In rolled paper towel germination test, 98% of seeds germinate after 4 days of incubation
(appendix: Figure A), while for sand germination test, 90.6% of seeds germinate within 6
days (appendix: Figure B and Figure C). This demonstrating mung beans tested in this

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experiment has very good value to money – it germinates fast and grows fast – indicating
seeds are very good in quality and vigour. This seeds is suitable for large-scale cultivation.

Differences in germination percentage recorded in two methods employed demonstrated

the importance of choosing correct approach when executing germination test. Rolled
paper towel method suitable for most small and medium size seeds. It is a good method to
test germinability of seeds but not seed vigour. The rolled paper towel was placed in slanted
position to save space and avoid damages of seeds or embryos. Germinability of seeds is
somewhat determined by the quality of sand used in sand germination test. Fine, smooth
sand (e.g. river sand) is excellent choice. Sand should be washed thoroughly before use.

In seed testing, results are always wanted urgently and the germination test unfortunately is
not rapid. While result for some crop species (e.g. Brassica, Hordeum, Phaseolus) are
available in seven days, other agricultural and horticultural species require ten, 14, 21, or 28
days. Some tree or shrub species require up to 30 days after pretreatment for three to four
months (e.g. Rosa spp. and Pyrus spp.) (Schmidt, 2007). Germination test is somewhat
expensive and exerts considerable pressures on time, labour, and money (Basra, 1995).

Seed Moisture Content Test

Average moisture content of mung bean seeds tested in this experiment is 10.74%. This
value is high compared to critical moisture content for mung beans that fit for long term-
storage (through cryopreservation), mentioned by Bennets and Cocks (1996) which is at
6.3%. Availability of high moisture content stimulate the enzyme production thus assisting
breakdown of food storage in seeds, and this metabolic activity releasing heat that will leads
to fungal growth. Seeds will die.

Seeds must be properly dried to maintain its viability over a long period. This seeds,
however, safe for short term or mid term storage (Brink and Belay, 2006)

Moisture content is an indirect quality parameter since it is known that it has a crucial
influence on storage and longevity. Analysis with a high or a low moisture figure can thus
suggest a different storage fate. High demand for exactness is relevant for agricultural crops
used for consumption, because it is influences nutrient quality. Less exactness can be
accepted in connection with reproductive material of forest seed. Seeds may be absorb or
release moisture according to the balance with atmospheric humidity (relative humidity), so
to eliminate error caused by varying humidity, seeds should be packed in waterproof
material as quickly as possible after sampling and should maintained within this packaging
until the working sample for moisture content determination has been taken out. Moisture
analysis should be done as quickly as possible to prevent errors caused by absorption from
the air (Karrfalt, 2001).

These three tests have provided sufficient information to the farmers about the quality,
germinability, and suitable storage condition for the seeds. Viability test can be done if
requested.

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Conclusion
From this experiment, we become aware and understood about various methods in
determining seed quality, performing seed testing, and significance of each steps involved.

References
Basra, A.S. 1995. Seed Quality: Basics Mechanism and Agricultural Implication. Haworth
Press, Binghamton, New York, USA.

Basra, A.S. 2006. Handbook of Seed Science and Technology. Haworth Press, Binghamton,
New York, USA.

Bennet, S.J. and Cocks, P.S. 1996. Genetic Resources of Mediterranean Pasture and Forage
Legumes. Kluwer Academic Publisher, Netherlands.

Brink, M. and Belay, G. 2006. Plant Resources of Tropical Africa – Cereals and Pulses. PROTA
Foundation, Wageningen, Netherlands.

Copeland, L.O. 2001. Principle of Seed Science and Technology. Kluwer Academic Publishers,
Netherlands.

Karrfalt, R.P. 2002. Seed Testing. USDA Forest Services National Tree Seed Laboratory,
Georgia, USA.

Schmidt. L. 2007. Tropical Forest Seed. Forest Genetic Resources, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Sweedman, L. and Merritt, D. 2006. Australian Seeds: A Guide to Their Collection,

Identification and Biology. CSIRO Publishing, Collinwood, Australia.

http://www.bpi.da.gov.ph/Services/seedtesting.html (291009)

http://164.100.10.50/Seed/Stl/html%20pages/Germination%20Testing.htm (311009)

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APPENDIX

SEED MOISTURE CONTENT (MC) TEST

Species : Vigna radiata (mung bean)

Origin : Malaysia
Method used : 103°C for 18 hours for more
Date/Time in : 261009/1030 hours
Date/Time out : 021109/1045 hours

Formula for moisture content calculation

% MC = (M2-M3)/(M2/M1) x 100
M1 : Weight of dish (g)
M2 : Weight of dish and sample (g)
M3 : Weight of dish and sample after oven drying (g)

Dish A
M1 M2 M3 Calculation % MC
0.249 2.118 1.919 (0.199/1.869)(100) 10.65%

Dish B
M1 M2 M3 Calculation % MC
0.252 2.274 2.059 (0.215/2.022)(100) 10.63%

Dish C
M1 M2 M3 Calculation % MC
0.222 2.199 1.983 (0.216/1.977)(100) 10.93%

Average seed MC: (10.65 + 10.63 + 10.93)/3 = 10.74%

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SEED PURITY TEST

Species : Vigna radiata (mung bean)

Origin : Malaysia
Date : 261009

Total weight of seeds: 482.954 g

Seed Species/Variety Weight (g) % from Total Weight % Component
% Pure seed:
Mung bean 450.681 (450.681/482.954)(100) = 93.31%
93.31%
Black eyed peas 22.539 (22.539/482.954)(100) = 4.67%

Soy beans 0.867 (0.867/482.954)(100) = 0.18%

Ladyfinger 1.777 (1.777/482.954)(100) = 0.37%

Long bean 1.157 (1.157/482.954)(100) = 0.24%

% Other crops:
6.21%
Red bean 0.206 (0.206/482.954)(100) = 0.04%

Brassica spp 0.275 (0.275/482.954)(100) = 0.06%

Vines 1.242 (1.242/482.954)(100) = 0.26%

Unknown seeds 1.891 (1.891/482.954)(100) = 0.39%

% Inert matter:
Inert matter 2.319 (2.319/482.954)(100) = 0.48%
0.48%

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SEED GERMINATION TEST

METHOD: ROLLED PAPER TOWEL GERMINATION

Date (2009) 2610 2810 3010 0211 0411 0611 Total

Seeds removed
Days 0 2 4 6 8 10 seeds
A 0 50 50 50 50 50 - 50
Group

B 0 50 50 50 50 50 - 50
C2 0 49 49 49 49 49 1 (mould) 50
D 0 46 47 47 47 47 3 (dead1) 50
Total 0 195 196 196 196 196 200
Average 0 48.7 49 49 49 49
% 0 97.5 98 98 98 98

METHOD: SAND GERMINATION

Date (2009) 0211 0411 0611 0911 1111 1311 Total

Seeds removed
Days 0 2 4 6 8 10 seeds
A 0 40 39 39 39 39 1 (mould) 40
Group

B 0 25 28 30 30 30 10 (mould) 40
C 0 36 37 37 37 37 1 (mould) 2 (dead1) 40
D2 0 45 47 48 48 48 2 (mould) 50
Total 0 146 151 154 154 154 170
Average 0 36.5 37.75 38.5 38.5 38.5
% 0 85.9 88.8 90.6 90.6 90.6
1 2
dead or dormant; our group

FIGURES
ROLLED PAPER TOWEL GERMINATION TEST

Figure A: Mung bean seeds germinate into normal plantlets after 4 days of incubation.

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SAND GERMINATION TEST

Figure B (top) and Figure C: Mung bean seeds germinate into normal plantlets after 6 days
of incubation.