Seed Research Circular no.3

For many years, the standard laboratory germination test has been our guide to the germination capacity of seeds. It is a good guide to the maximum potential germination that can be expected under favorable conditions. However, seeds are often planted under less than favorable conditions, and the standard laboratory germination test may provide a poor prediction of performance under those conditions. Seed lots with acceptable standard laboratory germination percentages vary in hereditary adaptation to germinate under adverse conditions and in vitality, mechanical injury, effectiveness of seed treatment applications, and various other factors. The Department of Seed Investigation at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, NY, attempted to identify the various factors which may affect the germination of seeds under less than favorable conditions and to find ways of predicting their effect on the performance of seed lots in field plantings under varying conditions. It is the purpose of this circular to report on experiments conducted in this area of research during 1968. The research undertaken involved seeds of snap beans, crucifers (broccoli, cabbage and brussels sprouts), carrots, cucumbers and several kinds of seeds covered with coating material