Tetrazolium: an important test for physiological seed quality evaluation

Abstract

The production of high quality seeds is linked to a good quality control system. In this system, the tetrazolium test plays an important role in the evaluation of the seed physiological quality, not only due to its relative quickness, but also because of the amount of information that the test presents, such as the indexes of viability and vigor, in addition to providing the diagnosis of possible seed quality problems, such as mechanical damage, insect damage, pre-harvest weathering and deterioration during storage. The development of the test had its beginnings at the end of the 19th century, with great evolution in its concepts and methods in the 20th century. For that, there was the dedication of dozens of professionals in several countries, such as Germany, Japan, Russia, Serbia (former Yugoslavia), United States, Argentina and Brazil. The test indirectly measures the respiration processes that occur in the mitochondria of the cells that make up the tissues of the seeds. The reducing reaction of the solution of the tetrazolium salt under the action of dehydrogenase enzymes results in triphenylformazan, which presents a red carmin coloration. By the interpretation of the resulting staining patterns, seed viability, vigor and the main problems affecting seed quality are determined.

Global patterns in seed germination after ingestion by mammals

“…Seed germination (SG) was defined as the proportion of seeds that germinate in a seed lot, considering germination as the protrusion of the radicle (in Petri dishes or similar germination methods) or as the protrusion above the ground of the hypocotyl (in sowing methods) – this is also called ‘visible germination’, because initial stages of seed germination occur at biochemical level (Bewley 1997). Seed viability (SV) was defined as the proportion of seeds in a seed lot stained as viable after an embryonic respiration test with tetrazolium chloride (França‐Neto & Krzyzanowski 2019). Mean germination time (MGT) was defined as the mean number of days from the beginning of the germination test until seed germination occurs in a seed lot (Ranal & de Santana 2006).…”

Rapid results of peach palm seed viability: a methodological proposition for the tetrazolium test

“…The interpretation of the results was based on the change of color of the living tissues when in contact with the tetrazolium solution. This phenomenon reflects the activity of the dehydrogenase enzymes involved in the respiratory activity, as they catalyze the reaction of the H + ions released, forming a non-diffusible, red-colored substance called triphenylformazan (França-Neto and Krzyzanowski, 2019).…”

Regulation of DNA (de)Methylation Positively Impacts Seed Germination during Seed Development under Heat Stress

“…To observe embryo survival, we used the tetrazolium red to formazan assay. In this assay, living tissue or cells containing dehydrogenase enzymes thanks to hydrogen released during cell respiration, will reduce tetrazolium chloride to formazan, a reddish, water-insoluble compound [ 55 ]. Therefore, living cells will be red-stained, indicating normal cell respiration.…”