Gilroy, California, USA
September 2010

Source: Eurofins STA Laboratories eNewsletter
 by Linda Barbosa

Eurofins STA Laboratories in Gilroy, California is pleased to announce the availability of accelerated aging vigor tests. The accelerated aging test has been an accepted vigor test method in the seed industry for many years. This test was originally designed to predict the effects of long term storage on seed lots. Later it was found to be a good indicator of seed vigor.

Most commercial seed lots have good germination under the optimum conditions of the standard germination test, however conditions in the field are rarely optimum. Growers need a way to predict the potential of a seed lot in realistic environmental conditions. The Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA) defines seed vigor as “those properties which determine the potential for rapid uniform emergence and development of normal seedlings under a wide range of field conditions.” And they state that the strategy to determining seed vigor is to measure some aspect of seed deterioration or genetic deficiency. The degree of deterioration or the seriousness of the genetic deficiency is inversely proportional to the vigor of the seed.

Accelerated aging subjects seed lots that have good germination to conditions of high temperature and high humidity. This treatment will cause seeds to deteriorate at an “accelerated” pace. A water jacketed chamber is used to maintain constant uniform test conditions during the accelerated aging process. The length of the treatment and temperature vary by species. There after the seed is placed into a standard germination test. The results of the “aged” seed test are compared to the initial standard germ of the same lot. A strong or vigorous seed lot will only suffer a minimal decrease in germination under this stress while a less vigorous or weaker seed lot will have a significant reduction in percent germination. Vigor testing is only appropriate for lots which have been tested for germination and have a good percentage of viable seed. Accelerated aging of seed lots with poor germination will only show further deterioration.

We are pleased to be able to offer this service to our customers. Please contact Linda Barbosa at lindabarbosa@eurofinsus.com to arrange for accelerated aging tests on your seed lots.

Website: http://www.seedquest.com/id/s/STALabs.htm

Published: September 2, 2010