Keimkraft

Keimkraft is a term used in seed science to describe the vigor or energy of seeds in relation to germination. It refers to the speed, uniformity, and robustness with which seeds germinate and establish seedlings, particularly under less-than-ideal conditions. Keimkraft is often considered alongside germination rate (the proportion of seeds that germinate) but emphasizes the quality of germination and early growth rather than just the final percentage.

In practice, Keimkraft is assessed using vigor tests in addition to standard germination tests. While a germination test measures how many seeds germinate, vigor tests evaluate how quickly and uniformly those seeds sprout, how strong the resulting seedlings are, and how well they perform after storage or under stress. Common approaches include accelerated aging, cold tests, or other procedures that simulate stressful conditions to reveal differences in seed lot quality.

Several factors influence Keimkraft, including seed age, storage temperature and humidity, genetic origin, seed maturity at harvest, and post-harvest handling. Environmental conditions during maturation and harvest, as well as priming or coating treatments, can also affect vigor.

The concept is important for crop establishment, as higher Keimkraft generally correlates with faster emergence, better seedling vigor, and more reliable field performance, especially in uneven or challenging soils. Seed producers and breeders aim to optimize Keimkraft through selection, processing, and storage strategies, while farmers use vigor information to adjust seeding rates, timing, and management practices. Related terms include Keimfähigkeit (germination capacity) and Keimenergie (germination energy), with Keimkraft often translated as seed vigor in English contexts.