b'PARTNER CONTENTWhy We Need to Talk More About Vigour Testingand Less About SizeWhen it comes to seed testing, its not just about size or germination rates. Its about understanding the true potential of a seed under real-world conditions. Thats where vigour testing comes in.F or years, germination testing has been the gold standard. Its straightforward: plant seeds in the perfect environment, see how many sprout, and take that as the seeds maximum potential. But what about when conditions arent ideal? What about the unpredictable weather, fluctuating temperatures, or stressors that seeds face once theyre in the ground? Thats where germination falls short. Its a good indicator of potentialunder ideal circumstancesbut it doesnt tell you much about By Morgan Webb,how a seed will perform in the field.President, Seed Check Thats exactly what vigour testing addresses. Its a way of simulating stresslike cold, heat, or droughtand seeing how quickly, uniformly, and reliably seeds emerge in those less-than-perfect con-ditions. Its a more practical, more honest measure of how your seed will behave in the real world.Seed Check uses a vigour testing method called radical emergence, which is recognized by the inter-national seed testing rules. Its a tool that farmers and seed companies alike should be paying attention tobecause it can be a real game-changer.Why isnt everyone doing it? Partly because its new, partly because it sounds complicated, and partly because many think size and germination are enough. But anyone whos been in the field knows thats not true. You can have a seed lot with 95 per cent germination, but if it has poor vigour, youll end up with uneven emergence, slow crop development,about how to interpret the results. But our approach and surprises that cost you money. has always been: educate the customer.Vigour testing isnt just about avoiding bad lotsSize might be the headline, but vigour is whatits about selecting the best seed for specific envi- determines whether that seed actually turns into a ronmental conditions. Thats how you plant smarterhealthy plant. Its about working smarter, not just and reduce risk. bigger. And if we truly want to optimize our breeding, Despite its clear benefits, vigour testing still facesour planting, and ultimately our yields, then vigour resistance. Some see it as an extra step or worrytesting isnt just an optionits essential.NOVEMBER 2025SEEDWORLD.COM/CANADA 21'