Seed testing in pulses and oilseeds

1. Seed testing in Pulses
and Oilseeds

2. Importance
Testing of seeds evaluates the planting value
and the authenticity of the certified seed
lot.
Seed testing has been developed to aid
agriculture to avoid some of the hazards of
crop production by furnishing the needed
information about different quality
attributes viz., purity, moisture,
germination, vigour and health.

3. Seed sampling
Sampling intensity
Methods
Types
Primary sample
Each probe or handful of sample taken either in bag or in bulk
Composite sample
All the primary samples drawn are combined together in suitable
container
Submitted sample
When the composite sample is properly reduced to the required size
that to be submitted to the seed-testing lab
Working sample
It is the reduced sample of the required weight obtained from the
submitted sample on which the quality tests are conducted in
seed testing lab.

4. Mixing and dividing
Methods
Mechanical dividing
Random cups method
Modified halving method
Spoon method
Hand halving method

5. Physical purity analysis
Components
Equipments used
Seed standards for physical purity
S.
No
Crop Class
F.S C.S
1 Ragi 97.0 97.0
2 Groundnut 96.0 96.0
3 Sesame 97.0 97.0
4 Jute 97.0 97.0
5 Bhendi 99.0 99.0
Others 98.0 98.0

6. Germination test
OBJECTIVE
To know the planting value of the seed lot.
GERMINATION
It is defined as the emergence and development from the seed
embryo, of those essential structures, for the kind of seed in question, indicates
its ability to produce a normal plant under favourable conditions.
PRINCIPLES
Done on pure seed fraction
4 x 100 seeds or 8 x 50 seeds or 16 x 25 seeds
Under favourable conditions
Materials required
Methods
Apparatus
Types of seed germination

7. Crop Substratum Temp.
(o
C)
First count
days
Final
Count days
Pre-treatment
Pulses
Redgram
BP,S 30 4 6 -
Blackgram BP,S 20-30 4 7 -
Greengram BP,S 20-30 5 8 -
Bengalgram BP, S 20-30 5 8 -
Cowpea BP,S 20 5 8 -
Peas BP, S 20 5 8 -
Castor BP,S 20-30 7 14 -
Groundnut BP,S 20-30 5 10 Remove shells
Sunflower BP,S 20-30 4 10 Ethrel (25 ppm) 48 hrs.
Sesame TP 20-30 3 6 -
Germination requirements for different crops

8. SEEDLING EVALUATION
Categories of seedlings
Normal seedlings
Abnormal seedlings
Hard seeds
Fresh ungerminated seeds
Dead seeds

9. Abnormal seedlings

11. Types of germination
Epigeal
Hypogeal

12. Sl. No.
Crop FS CS
1 Blackgram 75 75
2 Bengal gram 85 85
3 Green gram 75 75
4 Horse gram 80 80
5 Peas 75 75
6 Pigeon pea 75 75
7 Castor 70 70
13 Groundnut 70 70
14 Seasame 80 80
15 Soybean 70 70
16 Sunflower 70 70
SEEDS STANDARDS FOR GERMINATION