METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE VIABILITY OF SEEDS PRIOR TO THEIR GERMINATION

摘要

1471076 Measuring viability of seeds electrically SENSORS Inc 27 Aug 1974 37452/74 Heading G1N The viability of seeds is determined by applying a potential to each seed and measuring the current passing therethrough. Seeds in a dry state are first moistened for a period of time and at a temperature sufficient to cause the seeds to pass from the dry state into at least the first phase, inhibition, of their pre-germination cycle but without initiating the last phase, ribonuclease synthesis, of the cycle. Each seed is then placed between a pair of steel electrodes to which a potential of about 1À5V is applied, or a pair of dissimilar metal electrodes generating their own voltage, and the current flowing through the seed measured. After an initial maximum the current decays to a steady state, either the maximum or steady state current being used to indicate the viability. After testing the seeds are returned to their dry state and stored. Calibration. Measurements as above are carried out on each kind of or brand of seeds and instead of returning the seeds to their dry state the germination cycle of each of the seeds is completed for a predetermined time to produce a seed radicle. The lengths of each of the radicles is measured and correlated with the corresponding measured current. Alternatively the seeds may be dried and then planted in soil for a predetermined period to allow at least some of the plants to emerge. The plant heights are then measured and these with the soil emergence levels are correlated with the corresponding measuring currents. Tests have shown that higher levels of currents are commensurate with lower levels of germination, radicle height and plant height, i.e. viability of the seeds. Thus after the calibration testing of seeds of the same type may be carried out and those which show a current less than a predetermined level, chosen by the calibration, are rejected. Various graphs and tables correlating current and viability are given.