Accelerated Aging

One vigor test is the accelerated aging test. The purpose of this test is to predict the storability of a seed lot. Seed companies use this test to decide which seed lots to save for sale from one year to the next. Obviously, seed lots that are vigorous and will not lose germination percentage are the ones that seed companies want to save.

In this test, seed is artificially aged by placing it in a warm, humid chamber (approximately 100F and near 100% relative humidity). The seed is artificially aged since the rate of respiration is greater in these conditions.

The seed samples are placed in small plastic containers and placed on trays for two or three days.

The seed samples are removed, and dried. Then a warm germination test is conducted, and the percent of artificially aged germination is calculated.