Seed Germination Test: How to Test Seed Viability and Calculate the Germination Rate

Why conduct a seed germination test?

A seed germination test is a simple and reliable way to determine the viability of seeds. This is especially important if you want to use old seeds or if you are unsure whether the seeds are still viable.

Advantages:

• Less time required: Germination occurs faster than in the field.
• Cost savings: Avoids failed sowings and unnecessary purchases of new seeds.
• Better planning: Optimization of sowing quantity and planting time.

Materials:

• Seeds
• Paper towels or filter paper
• Shallow dish or plate
• Water
• Cling film or plastic wrap
• (optional) Thermometer

Instructions:

1. Moisten the paper towels with water until they are damp but not dripping wet.
2. Distribute the seeds evenly on the paper towels.
3. Cover the dish with cling film or plastic wrap to retain moisture.
4. Place the dish in a warm place with temperatures between 20 and 25 °C (68 – 77 °F).
5. Keep the seeds moist by re-wetting the paper towels if necessary.
6. Observe the seeds over a period of 10 to 21 days.
7. Record the number of germinated seeds.

Calculating the germination rate:

The germination rate can be calculated using the following formula:

Germination rate = (Number of germinated seeds / Number of total seeds) x 100

Example:

Assuming you have planted 20 seeds and 15 of them have germinated. The germination rate is then:

Germination rate = (15 / 20) x 100 = 75 %

Seed germination rate	Seeds per planting hole
0-24	at least 5 seeds
25-49	at least 4 seeds
50-74	at least 3 seeds
75-100	at least 2 seeds

Interpreting the results:

• Germination rate > 80 %: The seeds are highly viable and can be used without hesitation.
• Germination rate 50 – 80 %: The seeds are still sufficiently viable, but slightly more should be sown.
• Germination rate < 50 %: The seeds are no longer highly viable and should not be used.

Tips:

• Conduct the seed germination test separately for each seed variety.
• Use multiple Petri dishes for each seed variety to obtain more accurate results.
• Make sure the seeds do not dry out during germination.
• Record the germination time of each seed.
• Use low-germinating seeds only if you want to sow them directly in the field.

Conclusion:

Conducting a seed germination test is a simple and effective way to determine the viability of seeds. This way you can ensure that your sowing is successful and you achieve a good harvest.

In the video you will see how to perform a germination test und you find further calculating examples: