Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
how they will perform before they are actually planted, but also to provide exact standards for testing in
order that test results are reproducible among laboratories evaluating the same seed lot; a process known
as standardization.
uses and users of Seed Vigor Tests
Among the central questions concerning seed vigor is, “Who are the users of such information?” Certainly,
major seed companies beneit from seed vigor testing and most have developed and now conduct seed
vigor tests on a routine basis. There are a variety of ways that seed vigor test information is important to
a seed company. Vigor tests can monitor seed quality through every seed production phase from harvest-
ing, to storage, conditioning, bagging, and planting. Vigor tests are particularly important for high-value
seeds in which every seed is expected to germinate and produce a plant in the ield, unlike grass seed,
where over-seeding is not unusual. They enable adverse production practices to be readily detected and
corrective action taken. In some cases, such information can identify additional measures needed such as
seed treatment (for example, fungicides or seed enhancements). Seed vigor tests are also used in inventory
management. Many types of valuable hybrid seed, for example, require important decisions on storage to
minimize space allocation, reduce costs, and still provide an acceptable product to the consumer. Vigor
tests can also identify which seed lots are most likely to retain quality during long-term storage. They also
assist seed companies in establishing minimal quality levels for marketed seeds. These important attributes
have resulted in the rapid acceptance of seed vigor tests as essential quality control measures by the seed
industry, control and research institutions (Table 8.2).
Table 8.2. Survey results of various applications of seed vigor tests: for service (to measure seed
quality samples for growers and seed companies), for quality control programs, and for research
purposes. Some laboratories reported performing vigor tests for multi-purposes. Source: Ferguson-
Spears, 1995; Baalbaki and Fiedler, 2006).
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Year Service Quality control Research
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--------------------------------------------- % -----------------------------------------------------------
1990
91
50
49
1998
62
36
40
2007 65 40 29
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The surveys included AOSA (oficial/state) and SCST (commercial/private) laboratories in the United States.
Ferguson-Spears (1995), also identiied other uses for seed vigor tests by seed companies. These
include:
1. Identify seed lots that do not meet company standards
2. Establish a ranking system for in-house quality control
3. Evaluate the potential for carry-over seed
4. Assist in conditioning and marketing decisions
5. Answer customer inquiries about seed lot performance
