SEED TESTING METHODS,

PROCEDURES AND
LABORATORY STANDARDS
National Seed Quality Control Services
ELALIN T. TORIO
Assistant Chief, NSQCS Central Office
SEED TESTING
❖ first seed quality control scheme developed to
determine the planting value of seeds

❖ developed to avoid hazards in crop production due

to planting of inferior seeds
SEED TESTING
Procedures for seed testing in
accordance with the rules and
regulations of the International
Seed Testing Association (ISTA)
or what is sanctioned by the
National Seed Industry Council
thru Technical Working Group on
Seed Certification and Standards
Reasons for Testing Seeds
1. To determine quality or suitability of seed for
sowing purposes.
2. To obtain information for labeling seeds,
especially seed stocks.
3. To obtain information for basis of distribution,
storage and disposition of seeds.
4. To obtain information for basis of buying and
selling.
Other Reasons
1. For the evaluation of research in seed
technology.
2. To determine the processing and blending
procedures and to evaluate the blending
process.
3. To determine the potential and actual seed
quality problems and to offer solutions to
these problems.
Routing a Sample Through the Seed Testing
Laboratory
 SUBMISSION
AND RECEIPT
FILE BULK SEED SAMPLES
OF SAMPLES
PURITY, OTHER
VARIETIES FRACTIONS

MOISTURE TEST

VARIETAL
TEST CHECK
RESULTS

RECORDING PURITY TEST

OF SAMPLES

REPORT RESULTS

GERMINATION
TEST
PREPARATION OF
ISSUE APPROPRIATE
WORKING SAMPLES
CERTIFICATES, TAGS

Accelerated Aging
Scarification
Test

TO PRODUCER
PROCESSOR,
SEED HEALTH FARMER
OTHER TEST TEST
MOISTURE CONTENT
DETERMINATION
IMPORTANCE OF MOISTURE
TESTING
Moisture content

❖ used as an index for the proper time of

harvesting.

❖ affects the mechanical efficiency and the

degree of mechanical seed damage incurred
during harvesting and processing of grain crops.
 Moisture Content (MC)
❖ Very critical determinant of seed longevity and
grain quality during storage.

❖ 1% difference in moisture content can increase

or decrease seed longevity two times.

❖ ISTA Rules are used to determine the MC of the

seeds.
 Moisture Content (MC)
❖ Milling recovery in rice is affected by grain MC

❖ Accurate determination of grain moisture is

economically important

❖ For valid interpretation of results in the

evaluation of varietal performance in seed yield
and in seed storage (crop research) = accurate
MC determination is a MUST!
 METHODS OF MOISTURE
CONTENT DETERMINATION
1. Oven Method
2. Using Moisture Meters
 Oven Method
Moisture content is calculated directly from
the weight loss due to removal of moisture.
Oven Method
Principle

❖ The methods prescribed are designed to

reduce oxidation, decomposition or the
loss of other volatile substances while
ensuring the removal of as much moisture
as possible.
Oven Method
Determination of
Moisture Content
Using Oven
Method
Oven Method
Objective
❖ To determine the moisture content of seed by
methods suitable for routine use.

Definition
❖ The moisture content of a sample is the loss in
weight when it is dried.
❖ Expressed as a percentage of the weight of
the original sample.
 Apparatus

Adjustable Grinding Constant-Temperature

Mill Oven
Accessories for oven method
Tong

Desiccator Containers
Analytical
Balance
 Procedure
1. Submitted sample is accepted for moisture
determination (only if it is in an intact, moisture –
proof container from which as much air as
possible has been excluded).

2. Determination shall be started as soon as

possible after receipt.
 Prescribed Methods
1. Low Constant Temperature Oven Method

2. High Constant Temperature Oven Method

Low Constant Temperature
Oven Method
103 + 2 °C dry for 17 + 1 hours

1. Working sample must be evenly distributed

over the surface of the container.

2. Weigh the container and its cover before and

after filling.
Low Constant Temperature
Oven Method
3. Place the container rapidly on top of it
cover, in an oven maintained at 103 + 2 °C
dry for 17 + 1 hours.

4. The drying period begins at the time the oven

returns to the required temperature.

5. At the end of the prescribed period cover the

container and place in a desiccator to cool for
30 – 45 mins.
Low Constant Temperature
Oven Method
6. After cooling, weigh the container with its
cover and contents.

7. The relative humidity of the ambient air in the

laboratory must be less than 70% when the
determination is carried out.
Species for Which Low Constant Temperature
(103oC) Oven Method is Used
Onion Radish All tree sp.
Peanut Eggplant
Mustard Pepper
Pechay Soybean
Cabbage Cotton
Cauliflower
High Constant Temperature
Oven Method
❖Procedure same as in LCT oven method
❖ Temperature range is 130 – 133°C

❖ Corn dried for 4 hours

❖Other cereals (rice, sorghum) – 2 hours

❖Other species – 1 hour

Species for Which High Constant Temperature
(130oC) Oven Method is Used
Celery Tomato Patola
Asparagus Rice Squash
Beets Beans Kangkong
Watermelon Peas Upo
Cucumber Sorghum Ampalaya
Melon Spinach Tobacco
Carrot Wheat Lettuce
Corn
Computation of MC Using
Oven Method
MC = W1 – W2 x 100
W1
MC = _____%
Where:
W1 = weight of seed before drying
W2 = weight of seed after drying
MC = Moisture Content
Tolerance
❖ The difference between 2 replications
should be 0.2%.

❖ However, if the results of the two

replications are more than this value, re –
testing should be done.
Illustrated Procedure for
Moisture Content
Determination
Weighing of Tin Cans

Grinding of Seeds
Oven Method
 Tin Cans in the Dessicator

Weighing of Dried Seeds

Using Moisture Meters
MC is taken by moisture meters wherein a
direct reading scale or print out is obtained.
Using Moisture Meter

1. Infra-red Lamp
Using Moisture Meter

2. Kett digital and Kett

riceter
PHYSICAL PURITY TEST
 Physical Purity Test

Separation of Component Parts as Pure Seeds, Other Seeds and Inert Matter
Objective
❖ To determine percentage composition by
weight of the sample being tested and by
inference the composition of the entire seed lot.

❖ To identify the various species of seeds and

inert particles constituting the sample.
Definition
Pure Seed
❖ Refers to the species stated by the sender
and shall include all botanical varieties or
cultivars of the species.
❖ Immature, undersized, shriveled, diseased
and germinated provided can be definitely
identified and not transformed into fungal
sclerotia, smut balls, nematode galls.
❖ In graminae: Florets with caryopsis, free
caryopsis and seed unit more than half of the
original size.
Definition
Other Seed
❖ Refers to seed units of other plant species
other than that of pure seed
Inert Matter
❖ Includes seed units and all other
matters and structures not defined as
pure seed or other seed such as:

a. Seed units that are sterile

b. Florets with caryopsis ½ original size
c. Broken or damaged seed units ½
original size
Inert Matter
❖ Unattached sterile florets, empty
glumes, lemma, palea, chaff, stem,
leaves, fungal bodies like ergot,
sclerotia, smut balls, sand, soil, stone
and other non-seed matter

❖ Leguminosae, Brassicaceae,
Pinaceae with seed coat entirely
removed

❖ Separated cotyledons of
leguminosae
General Principle
❖The three components are separated as:
1.Pure Seed
2.Other Seeds
3.Inert Matter

❖ Weighed and percentage of each part is

determined by weight

❖Identify seed and inert matter present

The three components are separated as:

Other Seeds Pure Seed Inert Matter

(Other Crop Seeds and Weed Seeds)
 Apparatus

Sieve Seed Blower

Apparatus

Purity Workboard
Circline Magnifying Glass
Procedure
Working Sample

❖ The Purity Analysis for rice seeds shall be 70

grams.
❖ Weigh to the minimum number of decimal
places necessary to calculate the % of
component parts to one decimal place.
Working Sample
Weight of Working Number of Decimal
Sample (grams) Places

Less than 1.0000 4

1.000 to 9.999 3
10.00 to 99.99 2
100.0 to 999.9 1
1000 or more 0
Procedure
Working Sample

❖ The Purity Analysis for rice seeds shall be 70

grams.
❖ Weigh to the minimum number of decimal
places necessary to calculate the % of
component parts to one decimal place.
Separation
❖ Separate sample into
component parts by seed
blowers/sieves to
separate light seeds from
heavy seeds.
❖ Repeat separation
manually to identify the
other seeds and inert
materials present in the
sample
Separating sample
❖ Weigh the different
into Component Parts components in grams.
by Seed Blower
Calculation and Expression of
Results
❖ Results should be calculated to one decimal place.

❖ % must be based on the sum of the weight of

components, not on the original weight of
working sample.
Reporting Results
❖ Results shall be given to one decimal place and
the sum of components must be equal to 100%.

❖ Components less than 0.05% shall be reported as

“Trace”.

❖ Report scientific name of other seed.

❖ Report the kind of inert matter.

Computation:
Purity - 70 g
g %
Pure seed - 67.00 95.7
Other seeds - 2.10 3.0
Weed seed - 0.02 (0.03) Trace
Inert Matter - 0.91 1.3
70.03 g 100.0 %
 VARIETAL PURITY TEST

Determination of Other Varieties thru Varietal Purity Test.

Objective
❖ To determine the extent to which
submitted sample conforms to species
or cultivar claimed for.

❖ To gain information on the amount of

other varieties and identify the mixtures
as much as possible.
Definition
Other varieties
❖ includes other kinds, varieties of rice.

Principle
❖ Determination is made by count and expressed as number in
percentage of seeds found in the sample examined.
❖ Seeds are compared with authentic samples.
 Apparatus

Purity Workboard w/ Diaphanoscope

Magnifying Glasses Stereo Microscope
Procedure
❖ The 500 grams working samples for rice and
corn are examined seed by seed.

❖ The number of other varieties is reported as

number per working sample.

❖ Other varieties are determined.

Other Varieties
A. Seeds
❖ Sample is searched for other
cultivars side from subject sample
but of same species.

❖ Separate the mixtures or other

varieties

❖ Identify the mixtures or other

varieties.
Samples of other varieties based on:

Grain length
Samples of other varieties based on:
GRAIN SHAPE
SLENDER (S) Intermediate (I)
(more than 3.0) (2.0-3.0)
NSIC Rc 280 – 3.9 NSIC Rc 272 – 2.4

BOLD (B)
(less than 2.0)
NSIC Rc 242 – 2.0

SLENDER (S) Intermediate (I)

(more than 3.0) (2.0-3.0)
NSIC Rc 238 – 3.2 NSIC Rc 240 – 2.9
Other Varieties
B. Seedling Characteristics

❖ Germinate / plant seeds of other varieties

together with the authentic sample.

❖ Observe the seedling characteristics.

Calculation and Expression of
Results
Result is expressed as number of seeds per
unit weight as prescribed in the standard.
GERMINATION TEST
Germination is the emergence and development from the
seed embryo of those essential structures of the different
seeds.
Objective:
To determine the maximum germination potential of a seed lot,
which can then in turn be used to compare the quality of different
lots and also estimate the field planting value.
Requirements on Germination
Test:
❖ Adequate moisture
❖ Favorable temperature
❖ Three levels of temperature
1.Minimum Temperature
2.Optimum Temperature
3.Maximum Temperature

❖ Suitable substratum
❖ Light
Germination Methods
❖ Source of seed
❖ No. of seed to plant
❖ The seeds shall receive no pre treatment
❖ Germination media or substrate
Paper substrates are used for the
following:

❖ Top of Paper (TP)

❖ Between Paper (BP)
❖ Pleated Paper (PP)
❖ Top of Paper covered with Sand (TPS)
Top of Paper (TP)
Between Paper (BP)
Pleated Paper (PP)
• TPS (Top of Paper & Covered with
sand)
Duration of the Test
❖ varies in different species

❖ 1st count - when majority of seedlings have reached the stage of

development wherein proper evaluation is possible

❖ counting of germination tests are done during the preliminary or

first counts and subsequently until the final count
Agricultural and Vegetable Seeds
 Epigeal
Germination

Growth and Development of the Seedling

Categories of Seedlings and Seeds
1. Normal Seedlings 2. Abnormal Seedlings

Damaged
coleoptile

Shoot deformed Root not sufficiently developed

or missing or totally missing
Categories of Seedling and Seed
Fresh Ungerminated Hard Seeds Dead Seeds
Seeds
A. Preliminary or First Count
❖Normal Seedlings
❖Doubtful seedlings that have not yet developed
❖Mold growth/deteriorated

B. Second Counts to Final Counts

❖Normal Seedlings
❖Abnormal Seedlings
❖Fresh ungerminated
❖Dead seeds
When to Retest
❖ Out of tolerance
❖ Presence of firm ungerminated seed.
❖ Evidence that the results may not be reliable:
❖ Improper test condition
❖ Errors in seedling evaluation
❖ Presence of fungi and bacteria
❖ Inaccuracies in counting and recording results

❖ Seedling abnormality due to chemical treatment

SEED STANDARDS
Factors Breeder Foundation Registered Certified
Seed Seed Seed Seed
Pure seed (min.) 99% 99% 98% 98%

Weed & other crop seed 0% 0% .04% .04%

(max).

Inert matter (max.) 1% 1% 2% 2%

Other varieties, 0 2 5 20
grains/500g (max.)

Germination (min.)* 85% 85% 85% 85%

Moisture content (max.) 14% 14% 14% 14%

Thank You!!!!

HAVE A RICE
DAY!!