Managing low-quality wheat seed
Seed quality can be impacted by certain diseases that were prevalent during the growing season. Producers should take certain steps when sowing lower quality wheat to help achieve a good stand.
Germination testing of wheat seed
Fusarium head blight can result in reduced germination for wheat seeds and make reading a germination test much more difficult. Having your seed professionally tested for germination is always a good practice and highly recommended when Fusarium head blight was prevalent.
Accelerated Aging test on seed for emergence vigor
Beyond the standard germination test, most professional seed testing labs offer an Accelerated Aging (AA) test that will test seed for anticipated emergence vigor. This test is very capable of identifying weak seed lots where there are issues with Fusarium head scab; heating in the bin; or smaller, development-stressed seed.
Conducting home germination tests on this year's wheat seed
Producers may be anxious this year to find out the germination percent of the wheat they harvest to see if it will make suitable seed. For the most accurate results, read this article for the proper steps to take before conducting home tests or sending to a certified testing lab.
Germination testing for wheat seed: At home and professional seed laboratory
Some producers may be anxious this year to find out the germination percent of the wheat they harvest, to see if it will make suitable seed. Testing the seed too soon after harvest will affect the accuracy of the test. At-home testing is an option but professional testing is recommended for wheat that experienced stress during grain filling.
Accelerated Aging test helps identify weak wheat seed
Beyond the standard germination test, most professional seed testing labs offer an Accelerated Aging test that will test the seed for anticipated emergence vigor. This test is very capable of identifying weak seed lots where there are issues with Fusarium head scab; heating in the bin; smaller, development-stressed seeds; or are more than a year old.