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The 2009 AOSA Rules for Testing Seeds
and new Seed Vigor Testing Handbook AVAILABLE PUBLICATIONS: Rules for Testing Seeds- Updated October 2009 Seed Vigor Handbook- Completely revised & updated in 2009!! Seed Moisture Handbook- Updated 2007 Other Handbooks & Publications- Tetrazolium Testing, Cultivar Purity, and many more! Seed Technologist Training Manual Seed Technology Journal |
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AOSA announces the availability of the 210 updated AOSA Rules for Testing Seeds. The Rules are published electronically, on CD, and consists of four books: The Rules for Testing Seeds, The Seedling Evaluation Handbook, The Uniform Classification of Crop and Weed Seeds, and the Uniform Blowing Procedure. Together these publications set the standard for seed testing in North America and are recognized internationally. The Rules CD is updated annually on October 1st and contains progressive techniques researched and developed by the expert members of AOSA and SCST. Seed testing has been developed to aid agriculture in avoiding some of the hazards of crop production by furnishing needed information about seeds that are to be used for planting purposes. This information may be desired for the seed producer or seed dealer in connection with seed conditioning or merchandising; as a guide to the person who will plant the seed; or for seed control purposes. In all these cases the ultimate purpose of making the test is to determine the value of the seed for planting. There has been developed, especially in connection with the enforcement of labeling laws, a standard analysis that furnishes information as to the composition of the seed sample and of the ability of the seed to produce plants. It is desirable to have definitions and fundamental procedures agreed upon that are based on a thorough knowledge of the principles involved. The following rules attempt to summarize and make useful the accumulated experience of seed analysts, and are to be followed as a matter of routine. When samples appear to require special treatment resulting in deviations from the rules, a statement of the method used should be made on the laboratory report. This document constitutes the official AOSA statement regarding seed testing procedures. AOSA Publications Order Form (EXCEL Format) AOSA Publications Order Form (PDF Format) The Association of Official Seed Analysts is pleased to announce the publication of a new Seed Vigor Testing Handbook. The new handbook is a comprehensive revision of the 1983 and 2002 versions that set the standard for vigor testing. As a methodical and detailed resource, the handbook will be of value to seed technologists, scientists, students, and industry personnel interested in the fascinating subjects of seed vigor and seed quality. The Seed Vigor Testing Handbook has been internationally recognized as an important tool for all aspects of vigor testing, and the new edition represents the definitive authority on the theory, standardization, applications and methods of seed vigor testing. The handbook is divided into four parts, each covering a different aspect of vigor testing. Part One focuses on explaining the importance of vigor testing, its rich history, basic vigor concepts and definition of seed vigor. Part Two emphasizes important issues related to the standardization of vigor tests such as use of standards, control samples, tolerances, sampling techniques, etc., general procedures for controlling variation, as well as presentation and interpretation of vigor test results. In Parts Three and Four, the authors have taken a new approach to classifying seed vigor tests by dividing them into categories according to Aging, Cold, Conductivity, Seedling Performance, and Tetrazolium tests. Part Three focuses on the principles of each vigor test, while Part Four presents detailed descriptions of test procedures. Considerable research in vigor testing has been reported since 1983 for specific crops. This information is compiled in an Appendix that lists more than 50 major crops and the vigor tests that have been successfully used to test them. BRIEF OVERVIEW OF CONTENTS:
The Association of Official Seed Analysts acknowledges the significant contributions of all authors and especially the four editors who reviewed the final draft: Drs. Riad Baalbaki, Sabry Elias, Julio Marcos-Filho, and Miller B. McDonald; their contributions to the advancement of seed technology are sincerely appreciated. The new Seed Vigor Testing Handbook is an important demonstration of AOSA’s commitment to the refinement and modification of the rules and procedures for seed testing, and ensuring that testing procedures are standardized between analysts and among laboratories.
New crop cultivars are continually developed and released. In addition, the methods for development of new cultivars are changing. Recent advances in biotechnology (molecular genetics) promise to add significant diversity to current crop germplasm. These advancements have led to an increasing dilemma for breeders, the seed industry, certification agencies, and seed enforcement individuals in their attempt(s) to assure maintenance of genetic integrity for these improved agricultural products. Traditional approaches utilizing plant morphological traits have proven limiting and often fail to provide the speed of identification essential for the movement of seed in commerce. As a result, there is a greater need to explore alternative methods to characterize crop cultivars. This AOSA Cultivar Purity Testing Handbook is, in part, a response to that request. This Handbook collates cultivar purity information from various sources into one common reference. As with any Handbook, continuing research, development, and refinements in testing techniques are expected to culminate in new test methodologies and present test revisions. To accommodate these modifications, this Handbook has been prepared in loose-leaf format so that new sections can be added when appropriate. Color photographs are presented to depict differences among cultivars. Color slides of these same traits are also available from the AOSA Secretary. AOSA Publications Order Form (EXCEL Format) AOSA Publications Order Form (PDF Format)
AOSA Announces a new
and comprehensive Seed Moisture Testing Handbook!
This innovative handbook provides
standardized procedures for testing moisture and enhances
the value of the AOSA Rules for Testing Seeds. Seed
moisture content is an important aspect of seed quality.
It influences production decisions related to harvest,
conditioning, and storage. Knowledge of seed moisture
content prior to treatment is essential for optimum seed
enhancement protocols such as priming, pelleting,
coatings, etc. Seed moisture must be monitored during
storage to minimize microorganism development, maintain
seed quality, and assist inventory management. Seed
moisture also influences germination with respect to
imbibitional damage, speed of germination and seedling
development.
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