Germination tests are standard when it comes to any seed lot. A lot of seed for sale has to tested for germination so that the farmer or seed company can decide whether the seed lot will be suitable for sale. Farmers that are saving seed also need to make sure that their saved seed will germinate in the spring time. Planting farm saved seed that has not been tested for germination could be disastrous. The issue comes with the fact that a germination test isn’t a one shot deal. Seed lots have to be tested regularly for germination. There are a number of things that can affect germination while your seed is in storage. The truth is that today’s 90% germination could be 60% a few months down the road depending on a number of factors in and out of an individuals control. Interpreting the germination results is very critical to understand what is happening with a seed lot. Seed is a living organism that is constantly changing and evolving and that must be managed.
In today’s episode of Under the Microscope we talk to BioVision Seed Labs owner Trevor Nysetvold about germination tests and some of the things producers should be on the lookout for.
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