Testing a seedling’s vigor involves assessing its early growth traits and resilience in order to provide information into how well it will establish and perform in the field. By assessing variables like seedling emergence, uniformity vigor index, and early growth parameters like shoot and root development, this testing surpasses conventional germination tests.
PROTOCOL:
- A sample of seeds is prepared and germinated under controlled conditions on different growth media.
- Five seedlings are randomly taken from each medium.
- The average length of root and shoot for each seedling is measured.
- The vigor is determined by multiplying the sum of the average root and shoot length with the germination percentage.
- The results are compared against standard vigor benchmarks to evaluate the seed’s quality and performance potential.
- Findings are documented and consistency with established testing protocols is ensured.
BENEFITS:
- Seed vigor tests add to the validity of seed quality over simple germination tests using scientific expertise and statistical tools.
- It helps farmers select high-quality seeds that ensure better growth and higher yields.
- It aids in efficient planning, optimizes resource use, and reduces costs associated with weak plants, ultimately leading to more reliable and productive harvests.
- For export, vigor testing ensures seeds meet quality standards, enhancing buyer confidence by verifying seedling health and performance.