Germination
Germination of a seed in a laboratory test is the emergence and development of the seedling to a stage where the aspect of its essential structure indicates whether or not it is able to develop further into a satisfactory plant under favourable conditions in soil. The objective of the germination test is to determine the maximum germination potential of a seed lot, which can then in turn be used to compare the quality of different lots and also estimate the field planting value.

Laboratory methods have, therefore been evolved in which conditions are controlled to give the most regular, rapid and complete germination for the majority of samples of a particular species.  The conditions have been standardised to enable the test results to be reproduced within the limits as near as possible to those determined by random sample variation.

Tetrazolium Tests
This test makes a quick estimate of viability of seed samples in general and those showing dormancy in particular.
In case of particular samples which at the end of a germination test reveal a high % of fresh seeds, Tetrazolium test tells whether they are alive or not.
Seed is stained with the Tetrazolium salt and the staining pattern indicates whether the tissue is living or dead.
Seed Testing Laboratory is accredited on Tetrazolium tests.

Vigour Tests
A vigour test assesses, either directly or indirectly, the physiological and physical basis of potential seed lot performance in a wide range of environments. The test provides additional information to the standard germination test to assist in differentiation of seed lots of acceptable germination.  At present, Seed Testing Laboratory assesses vigour by Tetrazolium test.  

Pathology Tests
Seed pathology tests are done to detect and identify seed-borne pathogens. Different methods are used depending on the pathogen being investigated (fungi, bacteria or virus). Seed pathology is also crucial in the routine seed field inspections and surveillance.

Methods used in testing include:-

Fungi        - Dry seed inspection  
                  - Washing test
                  - Incubation
Virus        - ELISA
                  - growing on test
Bacteria   -gram staining
                  -growing on test
                   -indicator plants
                   -serological tests
Other Activities
Seed Testing Laboratory is involved in other activities such as:
- Training seed industry personnel on seed quality.
- Hosting post graduate students during project work
- Training students from colleges and universities on industrial attachments.
- Coordinating ISTA test method validation for tropical crop species.