germination testing at home

Presented by Andrea Springmeier

2012 Seed Savers Exchange Webinar Series

Home Germination Testing

Our mission is to save North America’s diverse, but endangered, garden heritage for future generations by building a network of people committed to collecting, conserving, and sharing heirloom seeds and plants, while educating people about the value of genetic and cultural diversity.

Gathering Supplies

papertowels

plasticbags

thermometer

cup or container

spray bottle

rubberbands

nailclipper

pencil

Supplies• thermometer• plastic bags or plastic wrap• rubber bands• pencil or marker• paper towels• cup or container• spray bottle

• nail clippers or razor blade

Seed and Sprout Parts

seed coat(testa)

hypocotyl

cotyledon

primaryleaves

future root(radicle)

Germination Requirements

Test Setup

Evaluation

lategerminatoror abnormalseedling

goodgermination

molddiscoloration

cracks

hilum

nick

nick

(healthy seedlings)

(total seeds tested)x 100 = germination rate

(healthy seedlings)

(total seeds tested)x 100 = germination rate

20 / 25 x 100 = 80%

2012 Seed Savers Exchange Webinar Series

Thank You!Additional Resources

Seed to Seed, Suzanne Ashworth

A Seed Saving Guide for Gardeners and Farmers,Organic Seed Alliance

www.seedsavers.org/site/pdf/HomeGermTests_LAFrevised.pdf