Cereals Services
Cereal Tetrazolium Test
Cereal seeds showing staining from tetrazolium testing
Methods
Tetrazolium tests are conducted on a 200 seed sample. Cereal seeds are typically imbibed for 16 hours and then bisected longitudinally through the embryo and stained in 0.1% Tetrazolium solution.
What is Reported
A percentage of viable seed (normal staining embryos and any dormant seeds).
Value of Results
Tetrazolium is a quick estimate of germination and can be useful in determining viability of dormant seeds. When seed has a fungal colonization, such as wheat scab, the TZ test is will best estimate a treated germination test.
Resources & Research
Agronomically Accurate Seed Testing Results
SoDak Lab's goal is to deliver fast, accurate, and diagnostic seed testing services.