Tetrazolium Testing Handbook

Contribution No. 29

To the Handbook on Seed Testing

Prepared by

The Tetrazolium Subcommittee

of the

Association of Official Seed Analysts

Jack Peters, Editor

Bill Lanham, Illustrator

Published by the Association 1970

First Revision 2000

2001, 2002 updates: see www.aosaseed.com

Copyright © 2000 by Association of Official Seed Analysts

All rights reserved; no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or by any means: electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise,
without the prior written permission of the AOSA Executive Board.
 Dedication

This handbook is dedicated to the memory of Philena Heckert,

a botanist, seed analyst, and colleague with the Federal Seed Laboratory.
Her diligence and hard work were a source of inspiration
for the completion of this seed testing resource.

Updated 2001: v, 7, 18, Cactaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Cupressaceae, Lamiaceae, Malvaceae, Poaceae II, Tiliaceae
Index A and Index B: addition of Cynodon, Cucumis and Nassella. Entire lab reference section.
Bibliography corrections: on Abdul... page and Throneberry... page.

Updated 8/2002: iv, v, 3, 4, Amaranthaceae, Apiaceae, Poaceae I, Poaceae II, Poaceae IV (new), Lab references.,
Index A and Index B: addtion of Petroselinum
PART II. TETRAZOLIUM TESTING PROCEDURES

USING THE HANDBOOK AS A REFERENCE GUIDE 19

HANDBOOK CONTENTS 19

SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS 20

Icons 20
Illustration labels 20

TETRAZOLIUM SEED PREPARATION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES (illustrations) 21

_________________________________________________________________________________

[ Tabbed Section]

Alphabetized Plant Families

(see next page for the plant families included in this handbook)
_________________________________________________________________________________

APPENDIX

GLOSSARY

INDEX - A [Family/Genus]

INDEX - B [Genus/Family]

LABORATORY REFERENCES

BIBLIOGRAPHY

iii
Plant Families Included in Handbook
A G
ACANTHACEAE GENTIANACEAE POLYGONACEAE
ACERACEAE GERANIACEAE PORTULACACEAE
AGAVACEAE GESNERIACEAE PRIMULACEAE
AIZOACEAE GINKGOACEAE PROTEACEAE
AMARANTHACEAE GROSSULARIACEAE
ANACARDIACEAE Q
APIACEAE H
APOCYNACEAE HAMAMELIDACEAE R
ASCLEPIADACEAE HIPPOCASTANACEAE RANUNCULACEAE
ASTERACEAE HYDROPHYLLACEAE RESEDACEAE
RHAMNACEAE
B I ROSACEAE I
BALSAMINACEAE IRIDACEAE ROSACEAE II
BEGONIACEAE ROSACEAE III
BERBERIDACEAE J RUTACEAE
BETULACEAE JUGLANDACEAE
BIGNONIACEAE JUNCACEAE S
BORAGINACEAE SALICACEAE
BRASSICACEAE I K SAPINDACEAE
BRASSICACEAE II SCROPHULARIACEAE
L SIMAROUBACEAE
C LAMIACEAE SIMMONDSIACEAE
CACTACEAE LILIACEAE I SOLANACEAE
CAMPANULACEAE LILIACEAE II
CAPPARACEAE LIMNANTHACEAE T
CAPRIFOLIACEAE LINACEAE TAXACEAE
CARYOPHYLLACEAE TAXODIACEAE
CASUARINACEAE M TILIACEAE
CELASTRACEAE MAGNOLIACEAE TROPAEOLACEAE
CHENOPODIACEAE MALVACEAE I
CISTACEAE MALVACEAE II U
COMMELINACEAE MYRTACEAE ULMACEAE
CONVOLVULACEAE
CORNACEAE N V
CRASSULACEAE NYCTAGINACEAE VALERIANACEAE
CUCURBITACEAE NYSSACEAE VERBENACEAE
CUPRESSACEAE VIOLACEAE
CYPERACEAE O VITACEAE
OLEACEAE
D ONAGRACEAE W-X - Y
DIPSACACEAE
P Z
E PAPAVERACEAE ZYGOPHYLLACEAE
EBENACEAE PASSIFLORACEAE
ELAEAGNACEAE PEDALIACEAE
EPHEDRACEAE PINACEAE
ERICACEAE PLANTAGINACEAE
EUPHORBIACEAE PLATANACEAE
PLUMBAGINACEAE
F POACEAE I
FABACEAE I POACEAE II
FABACEAE II POACEAE III
FABACEAE III POACEAE IV
FAGACEAE POLEMONIACEAE
iv
2002
 Acknowledgements

The preparation of this handbook began in earnest in the early 1990’s

by the AOSA Tetrazolium Subcommittee members
who compiled the information.

Major contributors include:

Stan Akagi
Barbara Atkins
Charles Baskin
Bill Ebener
Amy Ferry
Mike Gill
Susana Goggi
Tim Gutormson
Jane Hall
Philena Heckert
Kristi Huber
Mering Hurd
Gary Johnson
Bill Lanham
Annette Miller
Marilyn Milhous
Jack Peters
Nancy Shaw
Marian Stephenson
Victor Vankus
Nancy Vivrette

The following pages of tetrazolium testing principles and procedures (by plant family) represent the combined work
and collaborative effort of many seed analysts of the Association of Official Seed Analysts and the Society of
Commercial Seed Technologists. I extend a sincere debt of gratitude to all those individuals, seed laboratories, and
seed companies who contributed to this effort.

Thank you.
Jack Peters, Editor

Purchase books directly from:

AOSA Management Office
PMB #411
1763 E. University Blvd., Suite A
Las Cruces, NM 88001
Phone/Fax (505) 522-1437
[email protected] www.aosaseed.com

Direct your questions or comments about the contents of this handbook to the AOSA Tetrazolium Subcommittee
(members listed on the AOSA website) or the appropriate laboratory references listed for each family. Newly revised
pages and procedures for submitting changes and additions are also available at www.aosaseed.com
v
2002
 PREFACE

This handbook has been the result of several years of collaboration by many seed analysts in the Society of
Commercial Seed Technologists and the Association of Official Seed Analysts. Many are listed in the
acknowledgements. While it has taken many years to develop this edition, the handbook is by no means complete.
Additional procedures for plant families not listed in this handbook may be added in future editions.

The intent of the handbook is to offer guidelines and methodologies in tetrazolium testing. The ultimate goal is to
provide uniformity in tetrazolium seed testing, with regard to procedures and TZ staining evaluation. Illustrations
in the handbook are used to describe seed/embryo morphology, preparation/cutting techniques, and TZ staining
patterns. 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 II is unpaginated
to allow easy updates and additions of plant family procedures. 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.

Furrows be glad, though earth is bare —

one more seed is planted there.
Give up your strength the seed to nourish —
that in course the flower may flourish.

Besançon Carol
vi
 TETRAZOLIUM TESTING HANDBOOK
3
2002
Over the years, TZ test procedures have been greatly improved and refined. Currently, the status and acceptance
of the TZ test varies from state to state and country to country. TZ tests are accepted in some states for labeling
(analysis tag) on specific species. Some states also allow certification tagging of a seed lot based on viability
information supplied by a TZ test. See federal, state, and international seed laws for specific details on TZ test
acceptance as a viability indicator.

4. CLASSIFICATION AND STRUCTURE

The Tetrazolium Handbook procedures have been categorized by plant family and arranged in a similar fashion
to the AOSA Seedling Evaluation Handbook, Contribution No. 35. Knowledge of the embryo structure and the
seed tissues essential to development of a normal seedling are the foundation for developing skill in tetrazolium
testing. The taxonomic group to which the parent plant belongs provides information about its seed anatomy.
Seed plants are either Angiosperms (flowering plants)—seed encased in an ovary, or Gymnosperms (naked-
seed-bearing plants)—seed not encased in an ovary. Information concerning similarities and differences of
embryonic structures can be organized by the separation of seed into five categories:

4.1 Monocotyledon (single modified cotyledon or scutellum)

4.1.1 Simple embryonic axis with scutellum and endosperm (Figure 2 -- corn)

coleoptile pericarp

primary leaf (plumule) aleurone

mesocotyl endosperm

radicle scutellum

coleorhiza

4.1.2 Elongated, single cotyledon embryo and endosperm (Figure 3 -- onion)

hypocotyl
seed coat radicle
(testa)

endosperm
cotyledon

4.2 Dicotyledon (two cotyledons)

4.2.1 Low level embryonic differentiation (Figure 4 -- columbine)

seed coat
(testa)

endosperm
cotyledons

radicle
 ASSOCIATION OF OFFICIAL SEED ANALYSTS
4
2002

4.2.2 High level embryonic differentiation (Figure 5 -- garden bean)

stele (conducting tissue) primary leaf

hypocotyl

cotyledons
radicle

hilum

seed coat
(testa)

4.3 Gymnosperm Two or more cotyledons (Figure 6 -- pine)

seed coat
(testa) cotyledons

female
gametophyte

hypocotyl

radicle

Latin names for plant families usually end in ‘aceae’; however, there are eight families that were named before
the standardization of botanical nomenclature, for which two names therefore exist. While older, traditional
names are still valid, the AOSA has elected to adopt the form with the standard ‘aceae’ endings. The eight
families and their synonyms are as follows:

Apiaceae = Umbelliferae
Arecaceae = Palmae
Asteraceae = Compositae
Brassicaceae = Cruciferae
Clusiaceae = Guttiferae
Fabaceae = Leguminosae
Lamiaceae = Labiatae
Poaceae = Gramineae

In referring to a plant or seed, either the common name or the scientific binomial name (genus/species) may be
used. The generic nomenclature used in this handbook follows the guidelines of the Uniform Classification of
Weed and Crop Seeds, Contribution No. 25.
 TETRAZOLIUM TESTING HANDBOOK
2002

FAMILY: AMARANTHACEAE
Genera: Amaranthus, Celosia, Gomphrena
Morphology

Cot
SC
1. PRECONDITIONING:

METHOD TIME (hrs) TEMP (°C)

imbibe on moist blotters, filter paper overnight 20-25
or paper towels
Pspm
Rad
. (side view) (x-section view)
Fig 1 External Fig 2 Embryo

Notes: Seeds can become moldy very rapidly. Keep blotters slightly on dry side.

2. PREPARATION & STAINING:

METHOD TZ Conc(%) TIME (hrs) TEMP (°C)
1. with seed on edge, bisect longitudinally 0.1 overnight 20-25

2. with seed on edge, cut a thin slice off one face 1.0 6-18 30-35

Notes: Some seed may take longer to stain (up to 24hrs) in TZ solution

1
2

(x-section view) (side view)

Fig 3 Preparation method

 ASSOCIATION OF OFFICIAL SEED ANALYSTS

FAMILY: AMARANTHACEAE

Post Staining Notes: None.

3. EVALUATION:

VIABLE (NORMAL STAINING)

- entire embryo evenly stained
- slight radicle damage is acceptable
- perisperm does not stain

NON-VIABLE (ABNORMAL OR NO STAINING)

- any essential part of embryo unstained
- bruised (dark colored) embryo areas

OTHER TISSUE/NOTES
If seed coat is mechanically damaged, bruising of embryo may occur.

+ - - -

Fig 4 Seed stain evaluation

REFERENCES: 1, 2, 11
 TETRAZOLIUM TESTING HANDBOOK
2002

FAMILY: APIACEAE
Genera: (I) Anthriscus, Apium, Carum, Coriandrum, Cuminum, Daucus, Petroselinum
(II) Anethum, Pastinaca Morphology

End
1. PRECONDITIONING:
METHOD TIME (hrs) TEMP (°C
(I) & (II) imbibe on moist paper towels 16 20-25 Cot

Rad

Fig 1 External Fig 2 Embryo

Notes: For TZ tests other than those done at the end of a germination test, a longer preconditioning time may be
needed. If deep dormancy is suspected, prepare seed with GA3 prior to staining (see sections 6.3 and 8.3.2).
clip line for GA3
preconditioning

2. PREPARATION & STAINING:

METHOD TZ Conc(%) TIME (hrs) TEMP (°C)
1. (I) cut longitudinally, a thin slice off edge of seed or bisect 1.0 overnight 20
longitudinally leaving seed intact at distal end
2. (II) cut laterally above embryo 1.0 3-6 30-35

Notes:

1 2

or

Fig 3 Preparation method

 ASSOCIATION OF OFFICIAL SEED ANALYSTS

2002

FAMILY: APIACEAE

Post Staining Notes: (I) Cut longitudinally, completely through embryo.

(II) Clear with glycerol or lactic acid for 0.5 to one hour at 35° C.

3. EVALUATION:

VIABLE (NORMAL STAINING)

- entire embryo evenly stained
- entire embryo lightly stained is acceptable
- endosperm completely stained

NON-VIABLE (ABNORMAL OR NO STAINING)

- no embryo present
- any essential part of embryo unstained
- watery, flaccid embryo
- endosperm partially or completely unstained
- brown colored embryo, due to field condition or production problem

OTHER TISSUE/NOTES
(I) Seed unit may be either a schizocarp or mericarp (see section 15.1.3.3). Only one embryo must be evaluated
as normal in order for entire seed unit to be considered viable. Various methods may be used to ensure that seed
units with multiple embryos are kept together.

If turgid, unstained embryos are observed, retest by clipping the distal end and preconditioning with GA3 (see
sections 6.3 and 8.3.2).

+ +/- - -

(dormant or dead) (no embyo present)

Fig 4 Seed stain evaluation

REFERENCES: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7
 TETRAZOLIUM TESTING HANDBOOK
2002

FAMILY: POACEAE I (Grass Family I - Cereals except Sorghum)

Genera: Avena, Hordeum, Oryza, Secale, Triticum, Zea

Morphology
Pcrp
1. PRECONDITIONING: End
Scu
METHOD TIME (hrs) TEMP (°C)
Plu
imbibe on moist rolled paper towels 16-48 20-25
Mes
Rad
soak in beaker of water overnight 20-25 Zea Triticum Zea Triticum

Fig 1 External Fig 2 Embryo

Notes: Endosperm imbibition is slower than radicle/plumule imbibition. Some Zea or Oryza endosperm may take
up to 48 hours to completely soften. If the scutellum, plumule, radicle, and most of the endosperm is softened, seeds
may be bisected before complete endosperm imbibition since endosperm tissue is nonliving and will not affect evaluation.

2. PREPARATION & STAINING:

METHOD TZ Conc(%) TIME (hrs) TEMP (°C)

bisect longitudinally through embryo and retain half for staining 0.1-0.5 1-2 20-25
or leave seed intact at distal end

Notes:

distal end distal end

intact intact

Fig 3 Preparation method

 ASSOCIATION OF OFFICIAL SEED ANALYSTS

2002

FAMILY: POACEAE I

Post Staining Notes: None; or if seed halves are attached, bisect longitudinally

3. EVALUATION:

VIABLE (NORMAL STAINING)

- at least one-fourth of radicle stained near mesocotyl
- embryo axis completely stained
- plumule completely stained
- endosperm is non-living and will not stain
- no more than a third of scutellum unstained at either end
- a thin, white-colored, superficial layer over scutellum (see sections 14.2 and 15.1.3)
- mechanical damage not affecting essential parts of embryo
- point of attachment of embryo axis to scutellum stained
- coleoptile completely stained

NON-VIABLE (ABNORMAL OR NO STAINING)

- more than three-fourths of radicle unstained (begin measurement from tip and move towards mesocotyl)
- embryo axis less than completely stained
- plumule less than completely stained
- more than a third of scutellum unstained at either end
- mechanical damage affecting essential parts of embryo
- point of attachment of embryo axis to scutellum unstained
- coleoptile less than completely stained

OTHER TISSUE/NOTES
Weak/damaged tissue will stain dark red and frost-damaged tissue will stain light in comparison to normal staining
pattern.
+ + + - - - - -
sh2 (super sweet)

Zea

+ + + + - - - - - - - -

Triticum

Fig 4 Seed stain evaluation

REFERENCES: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10
 TETRAZOLIUM TESTING HANDBOOK

2002

FAMILY: POACEAE II (Grass Family II - Small grasses)

Genera: Achnatherum (syn. Oryzopsis), Agropyron, Agrostis, Bouteloua (see Poaceae III for B. curtipendula),
Bromus, Calamagrostis, Cynodon, Dactylis, Elytrigia, Elymus, Eragrostis, Eremochloa, Eriochloa,
Festuca, Hilaria, Leptochloa, Leymus, Lolium, Nasella, Panicum, Pascopyrum, Paspalum, Piptatherum
(syn. Oryzopsis),Poa, Puccinellia, Schismus, Schizachyrium, Sorghastrum, Sporobolus, Stipa, Zoysia

1. PRECONDITIONING: Morphology
Pcrp
METHOD TIME (hrs) TEMP (°C)
End
1. (larger seed) soak in beaker of water overnight 20-25 Scut
Plu
Rad
2. (small seed) imbibe on moist blotters, overnight 20-25
filter paper, or paper towels Fig 1 External Fig 2 Embryo

Notes: Seed with soft caryopsis (Dactylis) do not need a preconditioning step and can be cut dry.

2. PREPARATION & STAINING:

METHOD TZ Conc(%) TIME (hrs) TEMP (°C)

1. (large seed) bisect longitudinally through embryo and retain half 0.1-1.0 overnight 20-30
for staining or leave seed intact at distal end
2. (small seed) cut laterally slightly above embryo or undercut 0.1-1.0 overnight 20-30
laterally beneath embryo
3. (small or soft seed) pierce with a needle in central 1.0 overnight 20-30
endosperm region

Notes: 1. Small grasses or seeds with a soft caryopsis or bisected seeds may stain more rapidly (4-6 hrs) at 35-40°C.
2. TZ concentration will vary with cutting method and is dependent upon seed size, time, and temperature.
3. Seeds that are pierced may be placed in a vacuum oven at 25 psi for 1 hr to facilitate TZ solution
uptake and staining.

1 2 3

or

distal end (side view)

intact

Fig 3 Preparation method

 ASSOCIATION OF OFFICIAL SEED ANALYSTS

2002

FAMILY: POACEAE II

Post Staining Notes: None for bisected method (1). If seeds cut laterally or pierced (methods 1 or 3) then
clear lemma pigmentation with 85% lactic acid for 30 minutes at 25-35°C. If pigmen-
tation remains a problem with microscopic evaluation, bisect seed longitudinally or
remove lemma and palea to evaluate.

3. EVALUATION:

VIABLE (NORMAL STAINING)

- entire embryo evenly stained
- endosperm will not stain
- unstained outside edge of scutellar region acceptable
- greenish-colored pericarp acceptable if entire embryo stains as normal (particularly over embryonic region)

NON-VIABLE (ABNORMAL OR NO STAINING)

- any essential part of the embryo unstained
- greenish-colored pericarp with off-color or unstained embryo
- mottled or broken embryonic tissue
- soft or flacid stain over embryonic region

OTHER TISSUE/NOTES
Endosperm may have an orange or yellow coloration, but should not stain dark red like embryo. Immature seed
which stains light or pale pink with yellow endosperm is considered ‘viable’ (see sections 15.1.3.2 and 15.1.3.4).

+ + + - - - - - -

for longitudinally bisected seeds

+ + + - - - - - -

for pierced or laterally cut seeds

Fig 4 Seed stain evaluation

REFERENCES: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11
 TETRAZOLIUM TESTING HANDBOOK

2002
FAMILY: POACEAE IV (Grass Family IV)
Genera: Sorghum

Morphology
1. PRECONDITIONING: Pcrp
End
METHOD TIME (hrs) TEMP (°C) Scut
imbibe on moist rolled paper towels overnight 20-25 Plu
Rad

Fig 1 External Fig 2 Embryo

Notes:

2. PREPARATION & STAINING:

METHOD TZ Conc(%) TIME (hrs) TEMP (°C)

bisect longitudinally through embryo and retain half for staining 0.1-0.5 1-2 20-25
or leave seed intact at distal end

Notes:

distal end
intact

Fig 3 Preparation method

 ASSOCIATION OF OFFICIAL SEED ANALYSTS

2002

FAMILY: POACEAE IV

Post Staining Notes: None; or if seed halves are attached, bisect longitudinally

3. EVALUATION:

VIABLE (NORMAL STAINING)

- radicle completely stained
- embryo axis completely stained
- plumule completely stained
- endosperm is non-living and will not stain
- no more than a third of scutellum unstained at either end
- a thin, white-colored, superficial layer over scutellum (see sections 14.2 and 15.1.3)
- mechanical damage not affecting essential parts of embryo
- point of attachment of embryo axis to scutellum stained
- coleoptile completely stained

NON-VIABLE (ABNORMAL OR NO STAINING)

- radicle less than completely stained
- embryo axis less than completely stained
- plumule less than completely stained
- more than a third of scutellum unstained at either end
- mechanical damage affecting essential parts of embryo
- point of attachment of embryo axis to scutellum unstained
- coleoptile less than completely stained

OTHER TISSUE/NOTES
Weak/damaged tissue will stain dark red and frost-damaged tissue will stain light in comparison to normal staining
pattern. Paliwal, S. et. al., 1990, noted color variations in embryo staining that were attributed to cultivar differ-
ences. Variation ranged from bright pink to bright red or brownish red and the differences were not related to seed
quality.
+ + - - - - -

Fig 4 Seed stain evaluation

REFERENCES: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10
 INDEX - A
(cross-reference)
Family/Genus

Genus/Family

for common names, species, or classification references, please refer to the AOSA Uniform
Classification of Weed and Crop Seeds, Contribution No. 25 to the Handbook on Seed Testing
 ASSOCIATION OF OFFICIAL SEED ANALYSTS

FAMILY GENUS FAMILY GENUS

Acanthaceae Crossandra Asteraceae Helianthus
Hypoestes Lactuca
Justicia Rudbeckia
Verbesina
Aceraceae Acer
Balsaminaceae Impatiens
Agavaceae Cordyline
Yucca Begoniaceae Begonia

Aizoaceae Dorotheanthus Berberidaceae Berberis

Tetragonia Mahonia

Amaranthaceae Amaranthus Betulaceae Alnus

Celosia Betula
Gomphrena
Bignoniaceae Catalpa
Anacardiaceae Rhus Chilopsis
Paulownia
Apiaceae Anethum
Anthriscus Boraginaceae Cynoglossum
Apium Heliotropium
Carum Myosotis
Coriandrum
Cuminum Brassicaceae Barbarea
Daucus Brassica
Pastinaca Crambe
Petroselinum Draba
Eruca
Apocynaceae Catharanthus Lepidium
Lesquerella
Asclepiadaceae Asclepias Physaria
Raphanus
Asteraceae Ambrosia Rorippa
Artemisia Sinapis
Aster
Baccharis Cactaceae Carnegiea
Baileya Ferocactus
Balsamorhiza Lophocereus
Carthamus Opuntia
Chrysopsis Pachycereus
Chrysothamnus
Encelia Campanulaceae Campanula
Galinsoga Platycodon
Grindeli
Haplopappus Capparaceae Cleome
Helenium
2002
 TETRAZOLIUM TESTING HANDBOOK

GENUS FAMILY GENUS FAMILY

Clarkia Onagraceae Erodium Geraniaceae
Clematis Ranunculaceae Eruca Brassicaceae
Cleome Capparaceae Erythronium Liliaceae
Clinopodium Lamiaceae Eschscholzia Papaveraceae
Cobaea Polemoniaceae Eucalyptus Myrtaceae
Coleus Laminaceae Eugenia Myrtaceae
Collinsia Scrophulariaceae Euphorbia Euphorbiaceae
Consolida Ranunculaceae Eustoma Gentianaceae
Cordyline Agavaceae Fagopyrum Polygonaceae
Coriandrum Apiaceae Fagus Fagaceae
Cornus Cornaceae Fallugia Rosaceae
Cowania Rosaceae Ferocactus Cactaceae
Crambe Brassicaceae Festuca Poaceae
Crataegus Rosaceae Forestiera Oleaceae
Crossandra Acanthaceae Fraxinus Oleaceae
Cryptomeria Taxodiaceae Fuchsia Onagraceae
Cucumis Cucurbitaceae Galinsoga Asteraceae
Cucurbita Cucurbitaceae Gaura Onagraceae
Cuminum Apiaceae Gentiana Gentianaceae
Cunninghamia Taxodiaceae Geranium Geraniaceae
Cupressus Cupressaceae Gilia Polemoniaceae
Cyclamen Primulaceae Ginkgo Ginkgoaceae
Cynodon Poaceae Gleditsia Fabaceae
Cynoglossum Boraginaceae Glycine Fabaceae
Cyperus Cyperaceae Godetia Onagraceae
Dactylis Poaceae Gomphrena Amaranthaceae
Dalea Fabaceae Gossypium Malvaceae
Datura Solanaceae Grevillea Proteaceae
Daucus Apiaceae Grindelia Asteraceae
Delphinium Ranunculaceae Gymnocladus Fabaceae
Desmanthus Fabaceae Gypsophila Caryophyllaceae
Dianthus Caryophyllaceae Hamamelis Hamamelidaceae
Dictamnus Rutaceae Haplopappus Asteraceae
Digitalis Scrophulariaceae Hedysarum Fabaceae
Diospyros Ebenaceae Helenium Asteraceae
Dorotheanthus Aizoaceae Helianthus Asteraceae
Draba Brassicaceae Helianthemum Cistaceae
Elaeagnus Elaeagnaceae Heliotropium Boraginaceae
Elymus Poaceae Helleborus Ranunculaceae
Elytrigia Poaceae Hepatica Ranunculaceae
Encelia Asteraceae Hibiscus Malvaceae
Ephedra Ephedraceae Hilaria Poaceae
Epilobium Onagraceae Holodiscus Rosaceae
Episcia Gesneriaceae Hordeum Poaceae
Eragrostis Poaceae Hunnemannia Papaveraceae
Eranthis Ranunculaceae Hypoestes Acanthaceae
Eremochloa Poaceae Hyssopsus Laminaceae
Eriochloa Poaceae Impatiens Balsaminaceae
Eriogonum Polygonaceae
2001
 ASSOCIATION OF OFFICIAL SEED ANALYSTS

GENUS FAMILY GENUS FAMILY

Indigofera Fabaceae Mentha Lamiaceae
Ipomoea Convolvulaceae Metasequoia Taxodiaceae
Iris Iridaceae Mimulus Scrophulariaceae
Juglans Juglandaceae Mirabilis Nyctaginaceae
Juncus Juncaceae Monarda Lamiaceae
Juniperus Cupressaceae Myosotis Boraginaceae
Justicia Acanthaceae Nassella Poaceae
Kalanchoe Crassulaceae Nemesia Scrophulariaceae
Kniphofia Liliaceae Nemophila Hydrophyllaceae
Kochia Chenopodiaceae Nepeta Lamiaceae
Krascheninnikovia Chenopodiaceae Nicotiana Solanaceae
Kummerowia Fabaceae Nierembergia Solanaceae
Lactuca Asteraceae Nigella Ranunculaceae
Lagenaria Cucurbitaceae Nyssa Nyssaceae
Lantana Verbenaceae Ocimum Lamiaceae
Larix Pinaceae Oenothera Onagraceae
Larrea Zygophyllaceae Opuntia Cactaceae
Lathyrus Fabaceae Origanum Lamiaceae
Lens Fabaceae Orthocarpus Scrophulariaceae
Lepidium Brassicaceae Oxybaphus Nyctaginaceae
Leptochloa Poaceae Pachycereus Cactaceae
Lesquerella Brassicaceae Panicum Poaceae
Leucaena Fabaceae Papaver Papaveraceae
Leymus Poaceae Parthenocissus Vitaceae
Lilium Liliaceae Pascopyrum Poaceae
Limnanthes Limnanthaceae Paspalum Poaceae
Limonium Plumbaginaceae Passiflora Passifloraceae
Linanthus Polemoniaceae Pastinaca Apiaceae
Linaria Scrophulariaceae Paulownia Bignoniaceae
Linum Linaceae Pelargonium Geraniaceae
Liquidambar Hamamelidaceae Penstemon Scrophulariaceae
Liriodendron Magnoliaceae Petroselinum Apiaceae
Lisianthus Gentianaceae Petunia Solanaceae
Littorella Plantaginaceae Phacelia Hydrophyllaceae
Lolium Poaceae Phaseolus Fabaceae
Lonicera Caprifoliaceae Phlox Polemoniaceae
Lophocereus Cactaceae Physalis Solanaceae
Lupinus Fabaceae Physaria Brassicaceae
Lychnis Caryophyllaceae Picea Pinaceae
Lycopersicon Solanaceae Pinus Pinaceae
Magnolia Magnoliaceae Piptatherum Poaceae
Mahonia Berberidaceae (syn. Oryzopsis)
Malus Rosaceae Pisum Fabaceae
Malva Malvaceae Plantago Plantaginaceae
Medicago Fabaceae Platanus Platanaceae
Melilotus Fabaceae Platycladus Cupressaceae
Melissa Lamiaceae Platycodon Campanulaceae
Plumbago Plumbaginaceae
Poa Poaceae
2001, 2002
 TETRAZOLIUM TESTING HANDBOOK

Laboratory References

Seed laboratories that submitted or contributed to the Handbook’s TZ testing procedures

 ASSOCIATION OF OFFICIAL SEED ANALYSTS

2002

The following are the seed testing laboratories that provided information and testing methods for this
handbook. The laboratory reference numbers listed below and appearing under ‘References’ on each
TZ procedure page identify laboratories that are resources for analysts.

[p=phone; f=fax; e=email; c=contact person]

Lab reference No. Lab/company Address/telephone/fax/email/contact

1 STA Laboratories, Inc. PO BOX 1257

821 Vista View Dr.
Longmont, CO. 80502-1257

p) (303) 651-6417
f) (303) 772-4003
e) [email protected]
c) Barbara Atkins, RST

2 Oregon State Seed Lab OSU

Corvallis, OR. 97331

p) (541) 737-4464
f) (541) 737-2126
e) [email protected]
c) Sabry Elias, PhD

3 Ransom Seed Laboratory P.O. Box 300

Carpinteria, CA. 93014-0300

p) (805) 684-3427
f) (805) 684-4157
e) [email protected]
c) Nancy Vivrette, PhD, RST

4 Utah State Seed Lab Utah Dept. of Agriculture & Food

350 N. Redwood Rd.
Box 146500
Salt Lake City, UT. 84114-6500

p) (801) 538-7182
f) (801) 538-7189
e) [email protected]
c) Stan Akagi

5 USDA/ARS National Center for Genetic 1111 S. Mason St.

Resources Preservation Ft. Collins, CO. 80521-4500

p) (970) 495-3200
f) (970) 221-1427
e) [email protected]
c) Annette Miller, RST
 TETRAZOLIUM TESTING HANDBOOK

2002

Lab reference No. Lab/company Address/telephone/fax/email/contact

6 California State Seed Lab California Dept. of Food and Ag.

Plant Pest Diagnostics Center
3294 Meadowview Rd.
Sacramento, CA. 95832-1448

p) (916) 262-1138
f) (916) 262-1190
e) [email protected]
c) Marian Stephenson, PhD, RST

7 Precision Seed Testing 5380 Vivian St.

Arvada, CO. 80002

p) (303) 431-7333
f) (303) 467-7886
e) [email protected]
c) previous contact Jane Hall, RST -
No longer available for consultation

8 USDA/FS National Tree Seed Lab USDA - Forest Service

5156 Riggens Mill Rd.
Rt. 1, Box 182-B
Dry Branch, GA. 31020-9696

p) (478) 751-3551
f) (478) 751-4135
e) [email protected]
c) Gary Johnson / Victor Vankus

9 Iowa State Seed Lab 128A - Seed Science Center

Ames, IA. 50011-3228

p) (515) 294-6826
f) (512) 294-2014
e) [email protected]
c) Dan Curry

10 Colorado State Seed Lab Plant Science Bldg.

Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO. 80523

p) (303) 491-6406
f) (303) 491-1173
e) [email protected]
c) Marilyn Milhous, RST

11 New Mexico State Seed Lab P.O. Box 30005, Dept. 3190
Las Cruces, NM. 88003-3407

p) (505) 646-3407
f) (505) 646-5977
e) [email protected]
c) Mike Gill
ASSOCIATION OF OFFICIAL SEED ANALYSTS