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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Seed Science and Technology

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 103C 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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Seed Science and Technology

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.

Seed Science and Technology

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)

Seed Science and Technology

APPENDIX
SEED MOISTURE CONTENT (MC) TEST
Speci
: Vigna radiata (mung
es
bean)
Origi
n
: Malaysia
Method
: 103C for 18 hours for
used
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
0.249

M2
2.118

M3
1.919

Calculation
(0.199/1.869)(100)

% MC
10.65%

Dish
B
M1
0.252

M2
2.274

M3
2.059

Calculation
(0.215/2.022)(100)

% MC
10.63%

Dish
C
M1
0.222

M2
2.199

M3
1.983

Calculation
(0.216/1.977)(100)

% MC
10.93%

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

SEED PURITY
TEST
Species
Origin
Date

: Vigna radiata (mung bean)

: Malaysia
: 261009

Total weight of seeds:

482.954 g
Seed
Weight
Species/Variety
(g)
Mung bean

450.681

Black eyed
peas

22.539

Soy beans

0.867

Ladyfinger

1.777

Long bean

1.157

1.891

2.319

(2.319/482.954)(100) =
0.48%

0.206

Brassica spp

0.275

Inert matter

(22.539/482.954)(100) =
4.67%
(0.867/482.954)(100) =
0.18%
(1.777/482.954)(100) =
0.37%
(1.157/482.954)(100) =
0.24%
(0.206/482.954)(100)
0.04%
(0.275/482.954)(100)
0.06%
(1.242/482.954)(100)
0.26%
(1.891/482.954)(100)
0.39%

Red bean

Vines
Unknown
seeds

% from Total Weight

(450.681/482.954)(100) =
93.31%

1.242

%
Component
% Pure seed:
93.31%

% Other
crops:
6.21%

=
=
=
% Inert
matter:
0.48%

Seed Science and Technology

SEED GERMINATION TEST

METHOD: ROLLED PAPER TOWEL GERMINATION
Date (2009) 2610 2810 3010 0211 0411 0611
0

Total
Average
%
0
50
50
0
50
50
0
49
49
0
46
47
0 195 196
0 48.7
49
0 97.5
98

10

Total
seed
s

A
B
C2
D

Group

Days

Seeds
removed

50
50
49
47
196
49
98

50
50
49
47
196
49
98

50
50
49
47
196
49
98

1 (mould)
3 (dead1)

50
50
50
50
200

FIGURES
Average
ROLLED PAPER
METHOD: SAND
TOWEL
1
GERMINATION
d
GERMINATION
ea
TEST
Date
d
or
(2009)
0211 0411 0611
dor
ma
Days
0
2
A
0
40 nt;
2
o
B
0
25
ur
C
0
36 gro
2
D
0
45 up
Group

Figure A: Mung bean

seeds germinate into
normal plantlets after
4 days of incubation.
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Seed Science and Technology

SAND GERMINATION TEST

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