Why We Need to Talk More About Vigour Testing — And Less About Size

When it comes to seed testing, it’s not just about size or germination rates. It’s about understanding the true potential of a seed under real-world conditions. That’s where vigour testing comes in.

For years, germination testing has been the gold standard. It’s straightforward: plant seeds in the perfect environment, see how many sprout, and take that as the seed’s maximum potential. But what about when conditions aren’t ideal? What about the unpredictable weather, fluctuating temperatures, or stressors that seeds face once they’re in the ground? That’s where germination falls short. It’s a good indicator of potential — under ideal circumstances — but it doesn’t tell you much about how a seed will perform in the field.

That’s exactly what vigour testing addresses. It’s a way of simulating stress — like cold, heat, or drought — and seeing how quickly, uniformly, and reliably seeds emerge in those less-than-perfect conditions. It’s a more practical, more honest measure of how your seed will behave in the real world.

SeedCheck uses a vigour testing method called radical emergence, which is recognized by the international seed testing rules. It’s a tool that farmers and seed companies alike should be paying attention to — because it can be a real game-changer.