Seed Science and Technology

AGRO 252
Level-2, Semester-II

Experiment no. 05
DETERMINATION OF GERMINATION PERCENTAGE OF THE
SUPPLIED SEED SAMPLE
Germination
Seed germination is the process of resumption of active growth by the embryo
resulting in the rupture of the seed coat and emergence of young plant under favorable
conditions.
In a laboratory test, the emergence and development of the seedlings to a stage where
the aspect of its essential structures indicates whether or not is able to develop further
into a satisfactory plant under favorable conditions of soil.

Germination test
The test, by which supplied seeds may be determined whether they germinate or not
under favorable conditions.

Percentage of germination
The percentage of germination indicates the proportion by number of seeds which
have produced normal seedlings within specified period under favorable conditions. It
is calculated by using the following formula-
No. of normal seedlings
Percentage of germination =  100
No. of seeds set for the test
Objectives
1. To determine the optimum seed rate.
2. To determine the planting value of seed.
3. To determine the market value of seed.
4. To determine the stage of dormancy of seed.
5. To compare the value of different seed lots.

Substrata/media used: Filter paper, sand, soil, saw dust etc.

Materials required:
1. Seed sample
2. Filter paper
3. Water
4. Petri dish
5. Wash bottle
6. Forceps.

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Sanitary conditions of substratum and materials
The substratum and materials should be kept as clean as possible in order to minimize
the growth and spread of fungi and bacteria on test.

Procedure:
Four hundred seeds were counted at randomly from the well-mixed pure seed which
was supplied. Care was taken so that there is no selection of seeds thus causing biased
results. The total students were grouped into four. Each group placed one hundred
seeds in one Petri dish. Thus, four hundred seeds were placed in four replications.
Filter paper was placed in the Petri dish and moistened by drops of water from a wash
bottle before seed placement. The seeds were placed maintaining uniform distance
from one another to reduce any competition between seeds. Then the Petri dish was
kept in a well ventilated room at room temperature for certain period (prescribed test
period by ISTA).We observed the tested seed everyday and counted normal seedling
which were separated on the basis of intact seedlings i.e., seedlings with all their
essential structures were well developed, complete in proportion and healthy.
According to the International Rules of ISTA, for germination test the prescribed test
period is as follows:
Seed First count (days) Final count (days)
Rice 5 14
Wheat 4 8
Maize 4 7
Barley 4 7
Pigeon pea 4 10
Chick pea 5 8
Black gram 4 7
Lentil 5 10
Field pea 5 8
Cowpea 5 8
Soybean 5 8
Groundnut 5 10
Mustard 3 7
Linseed 3 7
Cotton 4 12
Jute 3 5
Shanpat 4 10
Chilli 6 14
Tobacco 7 16

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Evaluation of seedlings
A. Normal seedling
1. A well developed root-system including a primary root except for those
plant normally producing seminal roots.
2. A well developed and intact hypocotyle and epicotyle without damage to
the tissues and normal plumule.
3. In the Poaceae, a well developed primary leaf within or emerging through
the coleoptile.
4. One cotyledon for seedlings of monocots and two cotyledons for
seedlings of dicot.

B. Abnormal seedling
1. Seedling which was lacking in any one of its essential structures or the
structures grown was not balanced.
2. All damaged, deformed and decayed seedlings.
3. Seedlings short and weak or spindly or watery.
4. Frost-damaged seedling with grainy coleoptile or plumule and primary
leaves which are weak and spirally twisted.
5. Seedling which fails to develop a green color.

Hard seed
Seeds of Fabaceae and Malvaceae, which remain hard at the end of the prescribed test
period because they have not absorbed water due to an impermeable seed coat, are
classified as hard seeds.

Dead seed
Seeds which at the end of the test period are neither hard nor fresh and have not
produced seedlings are classified as dead seed.

Replications No. of seeds set No. of normal No. of abnormal No. of No. of
for the test seedlings seedlings hard seeds dead seeds
R1
R2
R3
R4
Total

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Calculation
No. of normal seedlings
Percentage of germination =  100
No. of seeds set for the test

Results
The germination percentage of the supplied seed sample is.......

Precautions
1 At least four hundred seeds should be taken for the test.
2. The testing seeds should be taken from pure seed sample.
3. Counting of four hundred seeds should be done without discrimination as
to size and appearance.
4. Careful attention should be given to the spacing of seeds in the Petridish
to reduce the possibility of contact with each other.
5. The sub-stratum and other materials should be clean as possible.
6. Petri dish should be kept in a growth chamber maintaining the
temperature of 18-22°C and relative humidity of about 75%.

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