Diagnosing poor quality seed in canola

Poor grain quality seed can impact on germination rates and market quality. It can be due to small seed or damage by harvest, storage, weather or environment.

Low seedling vigour in older seed
Low vigour seedlings have less ability to cope with less favourable conditions
Stunted plants that are more susceptible to disease
Plants from small seed has less vigour and lower yield

What to look for

    Paddock

  • Reduced germination and/or weak seedlings that may uniformly affected across a paddock, or more pronounced in rows or areas that are less favourable for germination and early growth.

    Plant

  • Seeds swell but fail to germinate.
  • Seed germinates but seedlings are malformed or too weak to to reach the surface.
  • Weak seedlings after emergence.
  • Broadleaf seedlings with broken roots, cotyledons or growing points.

Where did it come from?

  • Small seed (less than 1.8 mg) is less resilient than large seed.
  • Poor storage where seed is exposed to moist and hot conditions.
  • Old seed. Canola seed quality declines faster than for cereals.
  • Frost-affected grain
  • Green sappy grain that has been harvested too early.
  • Insect damaged grain.

Management strategies

  • Germination test seed
  • Do not use seed weighing less than 1.8 mg

How can it be monitored?

  • Germination test grain being retained for seed
Source URL: https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/mycrop/diagnosing-poor-quality-seed-canola
This print version was generated at 6:55pm on the 19th of May, 2024.
The original document was last revised at Tue, 10/06/2014 - 2:24pm

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Important disclaimer

The Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the State of Western Australia accept no liability whatsoever by reason of negligence or otherwise arising from the use or release of this information or any part of it.