3/27/2018

Seed manufacturers are required to do seed germination testing and publish the results of the “germ” tests on seed product labels.  However, when grass seed are stored, the seed germination may be affected depending on the length of time the seed are stored, as well as the environmental conditions of the storage area.  “Carry over” seed (over one year old) have lower germination than “fresh” seed, and the longer they are allowed to cary over, the lower the germination.  Most “fresh” seed should not require additional seed germination testing; however, if you want to insure proper seed germination, it is recommended to do the simple seed germination test outlined below.

All that is needed for this test are paper towels, Clorox® bleach, Zip-Loc® plastic bags, distilled water, and the seed to be tested.

Simple Overseed Seed Germination Test

1. Mix a “mild” bleach solution of 1 part Clorox bleach with 10 parts of water
2. Count out the number of overseed seed that you want to test (recommend 10, 25, 50, or 100 due to ease of percent calculations)
3. Rinse the seed with the “mild” bleach solution
4. Rinse the seed with distilled water
5. Line the seed up on a paper towel (space at least 2” from edges of paper towel)
6. Make sure the seed are moist enough to stick to the paper towel
7. Depending on the number of seed, the seed can be rolled up or folded in the paper towel so that the seed are encased in a long, narrow tube or strip
8. Place the wet paper towel with the seed inside a Zip-Loc plastic bag
9. Seal the bag tightly
10. Place the Zip-Loc bags in an area with temperatures favorable for seed germination (window casing, etc)
11. Wait a day, then start observing for seed germination
12. A seed is considered to have “germinated” when its radicle (embryonic root) emerges fully from the seed
13. Count the number of seed that germinate each day, remove seed, and log in data
14. If a seed gets mold, remove it and consider it as “dead” and count as non-germinated seed
15. Test should be terminated after all seed have germinated or been pronounced “dead”, or within two weeks, whichever comes first
16. Total up the daily germination calculations
17. If total germination percent is below 50%, then you should be concerned

Actions to consider based on germination percentages:

• If seed germination is less than 100%, then consider increasing the seeding rate to reflect percent seed germination difference (i.e. 80% seed germination found, then increase seeding rate by 20%)
• If seed germination is 50% or lower, contact seed supplier and get new seed

Retain Seed Sample(s)

It is recommended to keep or retain a sample of seed from each lot number of seed.  Retain approximately ½ pound of seed per lot number and place in a paper bag.  Fold the top of the paper bag and staple closed.  Write the lot number of the seed on the paper bag with a permanent marking pen.  All of the seed samples should be placed in a refrigerator.  DO NOT place the seed in a Zip-Loc or plastic bag as they may mold.