Measuring seed germinationWhat is a germination test?
Why is measuring germination important?A germination test is often the only test a farmer can conduct on the seed to determine if it is suitable for planting. When seed is stored in traditional open systems, the germination rate of most rice seed begins to deteriorate rapidly after six months. Also, many varieties have a dormancy period immediately after harvest that can last for 1−2 months. By knowing the germination rate, farmers can adjust their planting rates to attain the desired plant population in the field. How to measure germinationSampling To obtain a random sample for testing, it is always best to take samples from different parts of the bag or container. If the seed to be tested is contained in more than one bag, a sample must be taken from several bags. A good rule of thumb in determining how many bags to sample is to take samples from a number of bags that represents the square root of the lot size. For example, if the lot contains nine bags, then sample at least three bags. If the lot contains 100 bags, then get sample from at least 10 bags. Equipment To conduct this test, you will need the following:
Procedure
The rate of germination is an indicator of vigor. Rapid seed germination increases the chance of the seed establishing in the field. Calculating the germination rateGermination rate is the average number of seeds that germinate over the 5- and 10- day periods.
For example, If 86 seeds germinated in a tray of 100 seeds after 10 days, then
Prepared by M Gummert with inputs from JF Rickman (2004); updated by M Gummert (2010). |