Crop Physiology Practical: Seed Viability and Moisture Content
- PlantHouse Enterprise
- Nov 16, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 7
Original video: https://youtu.be/YFbNa2doekw
Practical on: 29/10/25
Welcome to the crop physiology practical for the Seed Viability and Seed Moisture Content practical sessions of the Crop Physiology (AGR3301) course! Accurate assessment of seed quality is vital for predicting crop performance and ensuring optimal storage.
We demonstrate and compare three distinct approaches for assessing the seed viability:
1. Tetrazolium (TZ) Test (Chemical/Quick Test): Learn how to use this rapid chemical method to visually confirm active respiration in the embryo. Viable embryos turn red, indicating potential for germination.
2. Paper Towel Method (Conventional Test): We set up the standard germination test using moist paper towels to determine the percentage of normal seedlings that develop under ideal conditions.
3. Hydroponic Establishment (Continuous Monitoring): We incorporate data from the continuous Growth Analysis experiment. The success rate of plants establishing and surviving in the DIY hydroponic box provides a long-term, practical measure of seed viability and early vigour in a controlled, soilless system
Seed Moisture Content (MC): We demonstrate the constant temperature oven drying method to evaluate the moisture content (MC) of maize and bean seeds, a critical factor influencing seed longevity.
1. Low Constant Temperature (70 °C for 48 hours)
2. High Constant Temperature (130 °C for 1 hour)
Video Timestamp:
The Tetrazolium (TZ) test is a rapid chemical method used to determine seed viability by visualizing active respiration in the embryo. The process works as follows (43:08 - 43:47):
1. Reduction process: The tetrazolium chloride compound is colorless. When it comes into contact with a living, respiring embryo, it acts as an electron acceptor.
2. Enzymatic activity: The compound receives hydrogen and electrons from metabolic processes like the Krebs cycle and glycolysis, facilitated by dehydrogenase enzymes within the seed.
3. Colour formation: Through this reduction, the colorless tetrazolium is converted into a red, insoluble compound known as formazan.
Viable seeds will show this red staining, which indicates that the embryo is alive and metabolically active. (1:41 - 1:59; 43:33 - 43:47)
Keywords: Seed Viability, Seed Moisture Content, Tetrazolium Test, TZ Test, Seed Germination, Seed Storage, AGR3301, Lab Practical, Maize, Bean, Oven Drying Method, Seed Quality.
Location:
Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Fakulti Pertanian, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43000 Seri Kembangan, Selangor
2.983567621706455, 101.73466120334834
Attribution 4.0 International — CC BY 4.0 - Creative Commons
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