Germination Test Methods : USDA ARS

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Germination Test Methods

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Click here for information on the seed testing papers we use.
Contact Curator Mark Millard.

Zea mays subsp. mays (Maize)
492358
Zea mays subsp. mays (Maize Inbreds)
494065
Zea (wild forms - teosinte)
78
Tripsacum
491029

ENO: 492358   Zea mays (Maize)
Duration
Temperature
Fluorescent Lights
12 hours
30 ?C
ON
12 hours
20 ?C
OFF
Seeds are placed in folded paper towels moistened with tap water and placed in plastic tubs. These are put in a germinator. Temperatures alternate between 30 ?C with light for 12 hours and 20 ?C in darkness for 12 hours per 24 hour cycle. Replication and sample size: 4 reps of 50 seed each for a total of 200 seeds. Counts are done 7, 10, and 14 days after start of test. Abnormals are not scored until the last count of the test. Because of inbreeding depression in inbred lines, more relaxed parameters are used to classify seedlings as normal.

TOP
ENO: 494065   Zea mays (Maize Inbreds)
Duration
Temperature
Fluorescent Lights
12 hours
25 ?C
ON
12 hours
25 ?C
OFF
Seeds are placed in folded paper towels moistened with tap water - paper towels are 'squeegeed' to remove excess water prior to seed placement. The paper towel units are placed in plastic tubs covered with clear plastic wrap to help maintain moisture. These are kept overnight at room temperature and then put in germinators with the temperature set at a constant 25 ?C with light for 12 hours followed by darkness for 12 hours per 24 hour cycle. Replication and sample size: 4 reps of 50 seed each for a total of 200 seeds. Counts are done 7, 10, and 14 days after start of test. Abnormals are not scored until the last count of the test. Because of inbreeding depression in inbred lines, more relaxed parameters are used to classify seedlings as normal.

TOP
ENO: 78   Zea (wild forms - teosinte)
Duration
Temperature
Fluorescent Lights
12 hours
30 ?C
ON
12 hours
20 ?C
OFF
Seeds are placed on top of 2 blue blotter papers moistened with tap water in plastic boxes (5" x 5-1/4"). Temperatures alternate between 30 ?C with light for 12 hours and 20 ?C in darkness for 12 hours per 24 hour cycle. Replication and sample size: 4 reps of 50 seed each for a total of 200 seeds. Germination counts occur weekly after start of test.

TOP
ENO: 491029 Tripsacum
Duration
Temperature
Fluorescent Lights
48 hours
23 ?C
OFF
12 hours
25 ?C
ON
12 hours
23 ?C
OFF
Cupule is nicked and seeds are placed on top of two blue blotter papers treated with 1mM GA₃, germinated in a germinator set at 23 ?C constant in the dark for 48 hours. They are then rinsed with tap water and placed on new blue blotter papers and place in a germinator with temperatures alternate between 25 ?C with light for 12 hours and 23 ?C in darkness for 12 hours per 24 hour cycle. Replication and sample size (if quantity is sufficient): 4 reps of 50 seed each for a total of 200 seeds. Germination counts occur as needed. Test is run for up to 6 weeks.
TOP

ENO: 492358 Zea mays (Maize)
Duration	Temperature	Fluorescent Lights
12 hours	30 ?C	ON
12 hours	20 ?C	OFF
Seeds are placed in folded paper towels moistened with tap water and placed in plastic tubs. These are put in a germinator. Temperatures alternate between 30 ?C with light for 12 hours and 20 ?C in darkness for 12 hours per 24 hour cycle. Replication and sample size: 4 reps of 50 seed each for a total of 200 seeds. Counts are done 7, 10, and 14 days after start of test. Abnormals are not scored until the last count of the test. Because of inbreeding depression in inbred lines, more relaxed parameters are used to classify seedlings as normal.

ENO: 494065 Zea mays (Maize Inbreds)
Duration	Temperature	Fluorescent Lights
12 hours	25 ?C	ON
12 hours	25 ?C	OFF
Seeds are placed in folded paper towels moistened with tap water - paper towels are 'squeegeed' to remove excess water prior to seed placement. The paper towel units are placed in plastic tubs covered with clear plastic wrap to help maintain moisture. These are kept overnight at room temperature and then put in germinators with the temperature set at a constant 25 ?C with light for 12 hours followed by darkness for 12 hours per 24 hour cycle. Replication and sample size: 4 reps of 50 seed each for a total of 200 seeds. Counts are done 7, 10, and 14 days after start of test. Abnormals are not scored until the last count of the test. Because of inbreeding depression in inbred lines, more relaxed parameters are used to classify seedlings as normal.

ENO: 78 Zea (wild forms - teosinte)
Duration	Temperature	Fluorescent Lights
12 hours	30 ?C	ON
12 hours	20 ?C	OFF
Seeds are placed on top of 2 blue blotter papers moistened with tap water in plastic boxes (5" x 5-1/4"). Temperatures alternate between 30 ?C with light for 12 hours and 20 ?C in darkness for 12 hours per 24 hour cycle. Replication and sample size: 4 reps of 50 seed each for a total of 200 seeds. Germination counts occur weekly after start of test.

ENO: 491029 Tripsacum
Duration	Temperature	Fluorescent Lights
48 hours	23 ?C	OFF
12 hours	25 ?C	ON
12 hours	23 ?C	OFF
Cupule is nicked and seeds are placed on top of two blue blotter papers treated with 1mM GA₃, germinated in a germinator set at 23 ?C constant in the dark for 48 hours. They are then rinsed with tap water and placed on new blue blotter papers and place in a germinator with temperatures alternate between 25 ?C with light for 12 hours and 23 ?C in darkness for 12 hours per 24 hour cycle. Replication and sample size (if quantity is sufficient): 4 reps of 50 seed each for a total of 200 seeds. Germination counts occur as needed. Test is run for up to 6 weeks.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Plant Introduction Research: Ames, IA

Zea mays subsp. mays (Maize)	492358
Zea mays subsp. mays (Maize Inbreds)	494065
Zea (wild forms - teosinte)	78
Tripsacum	491029