Conservation and analysis of germination Seed maintenance is a key aspect for farmers, horticulturists, and anyone interested in maintaining the viability of their own plant varieties, ensuring successful and sustainable production. Maintaining seeds in optimal condition, along with regular maintenance, germination tests, minimizes dependence on external purchases and helps preserve local biodiversity, while optimizing crop yields.
Keys to seed conservation and viability
To keep the germinative power of the seeds in ideal conditions, it is essential to store them in airtight glass containers, accompanied by an absorbent material such as chalk to control humidity and labels indicating the variety and harvest date. They should be stored in a safe place. fresh and dark to ensure stable temperature and humidity, critical factors for prolonging viability.
Depending on the species, seeds have a variable lifespan. For example, onions typically remain viable for about two years, while others such as tomatoes, lettuce, and squash can retain their germination capacity for up to five years under optimal conditions. See the table of seeds for average viability of seeds will be of great help in deciding when it is necessary to renew the batches.
| Average viability (years) | Species |
|---|---|
| 2 | Onion |
| 3 | Zucchini, peas, beans, basil, leeks and carrots |
| 4 | Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, beans, corn, turnip, pepper, radish and beetroot |
| 5 | Chard, artichoke, celery, eggplant, pumpkin, escarole, lettuce, melon, cucumber, watermelon, tomato |
The passage of time or improper storage reduces the number of seeds capable of germinating successfully (germination capacity). Therefore, before sowing an old batch or one of dubious origin, it is advisable to carry out a germination test, saving effort and ensuring crop success.
What is the germination test and what is it used for?
La seed germination test It is a simple and essential test for both amateurs and professionals. It allows you to know the percentage of viable seeds from a batch under controlled conditions. This allows:
- Avoid planting plots without germination capacity, saving time and resources.
- Plan seed production, especially of valuable varieties.
- Evaluate the quality of seeds exchanged or obtained from third parties.
Differentiate between the seed vigor And germination percentage is important. Vigor measures a seed's ability to germinate under less favorable conditions, while germination percentage measures the proportion of seeds that produce normal seedlings under ideal conditions.
Practical method for performing the germination test at home
- Prepare the support: Use filter paper, kitchen paper, or similar. Draw a grid (for example, 10 x 10 lines) to make placement and counting easier.
- Moisten the paper: Place it on a plate and add water with a syringe or pipette until it is moist but not excessive, avoiding puddles.
- Place the seeds: One for each grid intersection, using tweezers, a paintbrush, or your fingers. Remove excess water if they float. To learn how to select viable seeds, learn how to effectively test seeds for germination.
- Cover and let germinate: Use plastic wrap or glass. Avoid direct light and place the plate in a stable location.
- Control and counting: After several days, observe how many seeds germinate and how many seedlings appear normal (without spots or deformities). Count only when no more germination is observed.
The germination percentage is calculated:
Germination % = (Number of germinated seeds x 100) / Total number of seeds put to germinate
It is recommended to use seeds with a germinative power above 50%. Below this threshold, germination in soil can be severely affected, as field conditions are often less favorable than those of the test. To expand your knowledge of complementary techniques, you can consult What are pre-germination treatments?.
Additional factors affecting seed germination and quality
The physiological quality of the seed is determined not only by genetic factors, but also by the production, harvesting, drying and storage conditionsA critical point is the moisture content of the seed, directly related to its forceLaboratory moisture content analysis uses procedures such as oven drying at controlled temperatures and analytical balances. To learn more about the stages of germination, visit How to Germinate Seeds Successfully.
The water used in the tests must be free of impurities, preferably distilled, with neutral pH so as not to alter the result. The temperature, light and duration The test results vary by species, so it is ideal to consult specific technical references when working with less common species.
Complementary tests to evaluate seed quality
In addition to the basic germination test, there are vigor tests These allow for the detection of differences in physiological quality between batches with similar germination percentages. These include:
- Accelerated aging: Evaluates tolerance to humidity and high temperatures, ideal for soybean, corn, wheat or cotton seeds.
- Tetrazolium test: Determines viability through enzymatic activity, useful for seeds such as soybeans and sorghum.
- Electrical conductivity test: It detects the degree of deterioration by measuring the leakage of cellular solutes into the aqueous medium, a key indicator of vigor.
- Cold test: Relevant in temperate zones, it exposes seeds to low temperatures to evaluate their performance under adverse conditions.
Correct handling from harvesting to storage and carrying out germination tests Periodic seed testing, along with advanced analytical methods, is the foundation for preserving quality and ensuring crop success. Implementing these techniques allows for the maximum utilization of available seeds, efficient planting plans, and a contribution to agricultural sustainability.
