Seed Test You Can Do At Home

Seed Test You Can Do At Home CROPS New Techniques 10-1-29 A pie plate, ziplock bag and paper towel are all you need to conduct an at-home seed vigor test developed by Alabama farmer Jim Krauss who started testing his own seed about 10 years ago to double-check the ratings on certified seed. The at-home germination and vigor test is even sanctioned, somewhat, by Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries Seed Division director, Gurnia Moore. He says, "This home test can give fairly reliable results if conducted properly. But it is suggested that this test be used only in comparison with state testing." Krauss originally developed the test in response to variations in test results from other labs. "The state said one thing and a private lab we use in Georgia said another. To triple check, we developed our own test," he explains. After 10 years of trial, error, and comparison he has developed a reassuring test, which he uses most often with soybeans but which works with any seed. The following are step-by-step instructions for the "Krauss Home Germination and Vigor Test". 1) Pick out 100 seeds. Remove the shrivels or small seed. You can also bounce them over a screen. 2) Put the seed in a paper towel, fold into a square and place in a tin pie pan. 3) Moisten the towel. (Jim urges moist, not wet.) 4) Place pie plate in zip lock bag and close. Jim notes, "I used to wet the paper towel twice a day before I discovered the bag. It really locks in moisture and builds humidity." 5.) Put the bag in a place with a fairly constant temperature. Jim likes the top of his refrigerator. 6) Wait 68 to 72 hours. (In winter it may take longer.) 7) Check seed. Sprout lengths will vary from ? in. to 1? in. If, for example, 80 of the seed have sprouted, then the vigor test is 80 percent. Do not count beans that swell but don't sprout. 8) Leave the beans that don't sprout. Rewet the towel if necessary and store for another 24 hours. 9) If another 10 beans sprout in those 24 hours, germination is 90 percent. The Krausses have been doing all their own germ and vigor testing for four years. According to Jim, "We've had good germination and good stands." In fact, his tests may have been more accurate than the lab's, in one case. "This private lab said vigor was in the low 70s and germ was 80 to 81 percent. My test gave germination at 90 percent and vigor at 85 percent. That year we had soybean yields ranging from 54 to 60 bushels per acre. The test has also saved money. The Baldwin County Alabama farmer explains, "It's not a lot of money, but every little bit helps." Reprinted with permission from Coastal Plains Farmer, P.O. Box 95075, Raleigh, N.C. 27625.

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