Tetrazolium

This page, while hosted by AOSA, is a collaborative effort among members of both the AOSA and the Society of Commercial Seed Technologists (SCST).

Questions and comments about the contents of this page:
Contact Elizabeth Tatum

The following updated and new pages are available for the 2010 edition of the AOSA/SCST Tetrazolium Testing Handbook:
Caprifoliaceae  (2013)
Cornaceae  (2013)
Cupressaceae  (2013)
Hydrophyllaceae  (2013)
Rosaceae (2013)
Linaceae (2016)New in 2017: Aquifoliaceae (2017)Araliaceae (2017)Cannaceae (2017)Fumariaceae (2017)Garryaceae (2017)Loasaceae (2017)Melanthiaceae (2017)Orchidaceae (2017)Amended in 2017:Juncaceae (2017)Poaceae Group 4 Festuca and Lolium (2017)Poaceae Poa (2017) Verbenaceae (2017)  (see 2018) Poaceae Group 1 (2017) Imbibition temperature changed Part 1 pages 13-14 (2017) Statement about imbibition temperature added to page 14.

Contact the committee chair if you have TZ images you would like to share on this website or if you have ideas for new or amended pages.

Pages under construction are:
Cannabaceae,  Musaceae, Myricaceae, Phytolaccaceae, Rubiaceae, and Typhaceae

AOSA and SCST are pleased to announce the availability of the 2010 edition of the Tetrazolium Testing Handbook. This significantly expanded and updated handbook is the result of 10+ years of effort by the Tetrazolium Subcommittee and collaboration by many seed analysts in the Society of Commercial Seed Technologists and the Association of Official Seed Analysts.

The intent of the handbook is to offer guidelines and methodologies in tetrazolium testing.  The ultimate goal is to improve uniformity in tetrazolium seed testing by providing standardized, detailed procedures and clear evaluation criteria. The addition of color photographs and many new families makes this handbook an essential resource for all seed laboratories that conduct tetrazolium tests and the seed industry.

A combination of illustrations and photographs are used to describe seed/embryo morphology, preparation/cutting techniques, and TZ staining patterns.  The handbook includes over 100 plant families, comprehensive principles and procedures, with family and genera specific information.  A bibliography at the end of the handbook lists references associated with tetrazolium seed testing.

The handbook’s notebook format is intended to encourage further refinement and experimentation with the TZ methods and techniques.  Ample space for notes allows analysts to personalize the instructions.  Part 2 is unpaginated to allow easy updates and additions of plant family procedures as they are developed.  It is the committee’s hope that analysts will continue to share experiences and improve the handbook by submitting suggested changes to the committee.  Periodic additions and changes are the best way to ensure that the handbook will continue to meet the needs of analysts and the seed industry.

The cost, shipping not included, of the 2010 edition of the Tetrazolium testing Handbook is:

$1,015.20 for a printed black & white copy in a 3-ring binder

$357.60 for a CD or $327.80 for the electronic version, which includes a license to print one copy

Drawings:
Figures 6-10 originally appeared  in:
Delouche, J.C., T. W. Still, M. Raspet, and M. Lienhard. 1962.  The tetrazolium test for seed viability.  Miss. Agric. Exp. Sta. Tech. Bull. 51.

Tree and shrub species (Prepared by Victor Vankus, US Forest Service)
Agricultural species (Prepared by Annette Miller)

Seed Preparation Tools for TZ Testing (prepared by Annette Miller, 2004)