Cereal Tetrazolium Test

Cereal Tetrazolium Test

Cereal seeds showing staining from tetrazolium testing

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.

Agronomically Accurate Seed Testing Results

SoDak Lab's goal is to deliver fast, accurate, and diagnostic seed testing services.