Accelerated Aging
When should I use this test?
The Accelerated Aging (AA) test is used to estimate two characteristics of a seed lot:
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Potential field emergence
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Storability, longevity of viability
What Technique is Used?
Inner Chamber Tray and Rolled Towel Method
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4 1/2" x 4 1/2" plastic box with lid, with a 4" x 4" plastic grid placed inside the box, and a 4" x 4" screen wire basket placed on top of the grid
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40 mL water added to plastic box with grid, wire mesh on top of grid and 42 grams of seed is placed in the basket. Lid is put on the box and it is placed into the high temperature and humidity chamber for 48 to 96 hours depending on the crop type. Corn, soybean and wheat age in the chamber approximately 72 hours.
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Seeds are removed from the chamber and promptly planted on germination towels (same process as warm germination) and placed in the germinator at 25ºC (77ºF) for 7 days.
What Do the Results Mean?
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Results are reported as a percentage, which represents the number of seedlings categorized as "normal" out of the 200 seed test
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During analysis, technicians record # normal, # abnormal, and # dead
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A "good" AA result is 80% or higher