A viable seed is one that germinates. However, not all viable seeds have the vigor to germinate and grow into nice, healthy plants. Seeds are nature’s way of conserving life for future generations, yet some seeds last longer than others. Read this blog to find out what seed viability and vigor means and how you can differentiate between the both.
Viability
By definition, a viable seed is onewhich is capable of germination under suitable conditions. It is defined as thecapacity of plant structure (seed, cuttings, etc.) to demonstrate living traitssuch as germination and growth.
It is critical to understand that seeds deposited in a gene bank will develop into plants. As a result, they must be highly viable at the outset and during storage. The viability of seeds at the commencement of storage will also define the accession’s storage life, given the environmental circ*mstances.
Vigor
A generally recognized definitionof vigor is “the sum total of those qualities of the seed that determinethe potential degree of activity and performance of the seed during germinationand seedling emergence.”
Seed from various sources may produce comparable high levels of germination when grown under ideal conditions. Due to variances in vigor, these identical seeds may have radically different ability to grow plants under the harsher circ*mstances encountered in the field.
Difference Between Seed Viability and Vigor
| Seed Viability | Seed Vigor |
| Seed viability refers to a seed’s capacity to germinate and produce a healthy seedling. | Seed vigor refers to how quickly seeds germinate. |
| The viability test is used to determine if a seed sample contains alive or dead seeds. | The seed vigor test distinguishes between high and low vigor seeds. |
| Seed viability tests include ‘The Germination Test’, Quick Viability Test or TZ test, etc. | Seed vigor tests include Accelerated Aging Test, Cold Test, etc. |
| The viability of a seed decreases when it reaches physiological maturity. | Various seeds have different levels of vigor. |
| Viability test can be conducted using a single variety of seeds. | A minimum of two different species of seeds are required for seed vigor testing. |
| Seed viability can be measured in percentages. | Seed vigor is merely a comparison of the resilience of one seed species over the other. |
Conclusion
As compared to seed viability, seedvigor is a complicated characteristic that is determined at several phases ofthe mother plant and seed’s development, as well as by the surroundingenvironment. Furthermore, its actions are dependent on the environment and actfrom seed imbibition until seedling emergence.
Seed vigor and seed viability testing are critical to agriculture and the seed industry, but they are still poorly understood and understudied in academic research. With an ever-increasing human population and fast climate change, seed vigor and viability testing is becoming increasingly important. We hope that this blog has highlighted what is known about seed vigor, viability and their influence on crop yield. More study into these perplexing and complicated traits, as well as creative techniques to understanding it, are needed to assure a more stable food supply in the future.
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FAQs
Seed viability refers to a seed's capacity to germinate and produce a healthy seedling. Seed vigor refers to how quickly seeds germinate. The viability test is used to determine if a seed sample contains alive or dead seeds. The seed vigor test distinguishes between high and low vigor seeds.
What is the meaning of seed vigor? ›
the ISTA congress in 1977 adopted the definition of seed vigour as " the sum total of those properties of the seed which determine the level of activity and per[onmance of the seed or seed lot during germination and seedling emergence'".
What is the meaning of seed viability? ›
Definition: Seed viability is the measure of how many seeds in a lot are alive and could develop into plants that will reproduce under appropriate field conditions. Why should seed viability be determined? • Seeds should be capable of producing plants when sown in the field.
What is seed viability and seed longevity? ›
The period during which seeds maintain their viability determines longevity, which is significantly influenced by environmental conditions experienced during storage, including temperature, equilibrium relative humidity (RH), and oxygen pressure (Figure 1) [3,4,5,6,7,8].
What is the difference between seed dormancy and seed viability? ›
Seed dormancy is defined as a temporary failure of a viable seed to germinate in conditions that favor germination, whereas seed longevity is defined as seed viability after dry storage (storability). In plants, the association of seed longevity with seed dormancy has not been studied in detail.
What is the difference between seed viability and vigor? ›
Seed viability refers to a seed's capacity to germinate and produce a healthy seedling. Seed vigor refers to how quickly seeds germinate. The viability test is used to determine if a seed sample contains alive or dead seeds. The seed vigor test distinguishes between high and low vigor seeds.
How do you determine seed vigor? ›
Cold test, accelerated aging test, electric conductivity test, seedling vigor classification, and seedling growth rate are among the tests that are used to measure seed vigor.
What seeds stay viable the longest? ›
Beans, like the Chocolate Runners, are among the longest storing seeds, often sprouting after a century in ideal storage conditions. How Long Will Seeds Last? Many seeds will maintain great germination for three years even in your kitchen cupboard, though there are exceptions.
Which seed has the highest viability? ›
Complete answer:
The scientific name Water lotus is Nelumbo nucifera. It has the longest duration of germination viability. Even under ideal germination conditions, the seed can remain dormant for long periods. They demonstrate germination resistance.
How to tell if seeds are viable? ›
One method to check for seed viability is the water test. Take the seeds and place them in a container of water. Let the seeds sit for 15 minutes. If the seeds sink, they are still viable; if they float, discard, because they probably will not sprout.
A non-viable seed, therefore, is one which fails to germinate even under optimal conditions, including treatments for the removal of dormancy.
What is the test for seed viability? ›
A seed viability test is defined as any technique used to determine whether individual seeds appear to be dead or alive within a sample, which enables the proportion of live seeds in a population to be estimated (Gosling 2003).
How long can a seed stay in dormancy? ›
Many species of plants have seeds that delay germination for many months or years, and some seeds can remain in the soil seed bank for more than 50 years before germination.
How do you increase seedling vigor? ›
Seed vigour is a function of both genotype and environment; accordingly, improvements are feasible through breeding as well as through improved agronomic practices and seed handling.
What is the manifestation of seed vigour? ›
The major impacts of variation in seed vigour manifest through a negative direct effect on seedling emergence and therefore an indirect effect on yield (Tekrony and Egli, 1991; Ellis, 1992; Finch-Savage, 1995).
What is the meaning of vigor at birth? ›
Vigor at birth (VB) was defined as 1 (low vigor: calves classified as stillborn, weak, abandoned, rejected by the mother, calves that could not nurse on their own, and calves with some physical defect), or as 0 (adequate vigor: all other calves).
What is the meaning of vigor in growth? ›
vigor in American English
4. force of healthy growth in any living matter or organism, as a plant.
