Keimtests

Keimtests, commonly referred to in English as germination tests, are standardized procedures used to assess the germination capacity of seeds and seed lots. They provide information on viability and potential performance by estimating the proportion of seeds that will sprout under defined conditions. The results inform seed labeling, certification, inventory management, and research.

Methodology typically involves selecting a representative sample from a seed lot, preparing seeds (cleaning, conditioning), placing them on a suitable germination substrate such as moistened filter paper or soil, and incubating under specified temperature regimes, light conditions, and durations. Seeds are checked regularly, and germination is counted when radicles or shoots reach a defined stage. Data are used to calculate germination percentage, mean germination time, and sometimes vigor indices or germination rate curves. Tests are performed under standardized procedures defined by organizations such as ISTA, OECD, or ISO, and may include species-specific adjustments.

Applications include quality control in seed production, regulatory release, and research into factors affecting germination. Distinctions are made between viability testing (whether seeds are alive) and vigor testing (rate of germination under stress). Common variants include accelerated aging or vigour tests to estimate performance under adverse conditions, and dormancy-breaking treatments for certain species.

Limitations include that germination tests measure potential under controlled conditions and may not predict field emergence, and results can be influenced by sample size, seed handling, and environmental variables. Keimtests remains a foundational tool in seed science and agriculture.