HORT 22 Lab

Exercise No. 2a:

Sexual Propagation of Horticultural
Crops
Seed Viability Testing
Introduction
Seed viability may be tested using two germination parameters - germination
percentage and germination rate. Other tests include the excised embryo and
tetrazolium tests, employed particularly to determine whether the embryo is alive and
capable of further growth and development. Some seeds may germinate quickly upon
sowing while others require special treatment in order for germination to occur. The
latter is said to be in a state of dormancy or rest and may be associated with the
condition of the seed coat, the embryo or the food storage tissues, which are the three
basic parts of a seed.
Some seeds require a period of low temperature for physiological changes or
after ripening to take place within the embryo before germination. On the other hand,
some seeds have seed coats, which are hard and impermeable to water, a condition
which prevent the seeds from imbibing water necessary for germination. In order to
alter or modify the conditions of the embryo/ or the seed coats, seeds have to be
preconditioned and these can be accomplished through various methods.
Learning Outcomes
1. To characterize the physical attributes of some horticultural seeds.
2. To familiarize some methods used in testing seed viability.
3. To understand and explain certain concepts, such as dormancy, quiescence,
stratification and scarification.
Materials
 Seeds of different horticultural crops
 Petri dish/pot/any container for sowing
 Filter paper/tissue paper
Procedure
1.Illustrate any (ten) 10 seeds of different horticultural crops and characterize
them in terms of size, shape, and color using Table 1.
2. Test the viability/germination of any two kinds of seeds of your choice. Sow at
least 60 seeds (20 seeds per replicate) in a petri dish lined with moistened
tissue paper or cotton; and in a seed box/pot or any container you have. Allow
the seeds to germinate.
3. Observe germination and gather the following data;
3.1. Days to 50 % germination (Determine the number of seeds when 10 out
20 seeds will germinate).
3.2. Coefficient Rate of Germination (CRG)

Number of seeds germinated

CRG= ---------------------------------------------- x 100
N1(T1)+ N2(T2)+N3(T3)+Nn(Tn)

where:
N -number of seeds germinating within consecutive interval of time
T – time between the beginning of the test and the end of the particular
interval of measurement

3.3. Final Percentage Germination (FPG)

Total number of seeds germinated
FPG = --------------------------------------------- x 100
Total number of seeds sown

Guide questions and instructions on how to prepare and submit the laboratory
1. Discuss the general differences in physical appearances of the different seeds
of:
 a. Cole crops vs. Solanaceous crops
b. Cucurbits vs. Vegetable legumes
2. What is seed germination? Differentiate the two types of germination.
3. What is seed viability?Discuss two storage treatments to minimize loss of
viability of seeds.

Table 1. Physical characteristics of the seeds of different horticultural crops

Size
Crop Seed Shape Color Illustration
(S, M, L)
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Table 2. Days to 50% germination of __________ seeds.

Crop seed R1 R2 R3 Total Mean
Lettuce 3 3 4
Petchay
Table 3. Final germination percentage of _________ seeds
Crop seed R1 R2 R3 Total Mean

Table 4. Average Number of Days to germination of __________ seeds

Crop seed R1 R2 R3 Total Mean

Instructions on how to submit laboratory reports:

You may submit your outputs at the VSU kiosk located in your place or through email,
messenger and courier, whichever is convenient to you and is less costly. Laboratory exercise 2
is scheduled for submission on January 26, 2021.

References
Copeland, L.O. 1976. Principles of Seed Science and Technology. Burges Pub. Co.
U.S.A.
Hartmann, H.T. and D.E. Kester. 1985. Plant Propagation:Principles and Practices.
Prentice-Hall Inc. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.