Seed viability testing across storage conditions

Not "factors affecting germination" (excluded KCSE content), but a genuine quality-control technique, testing what percentage of a seed batch is actually viable, exactly as KEPHIS does professionally for seed certification in Kenya.

Where to buy & price

Just examples of where to look and roughly what to expect to pay, get everything from wherever works for you, at whatever price you find.

Seeds, any agrovet shop or supermarket seed section, ~KSh 20–50/packet.

Cold storage / timing

None, but note the comparison specifically requires one batch to have been pre-stored under poor (humid/warm) conditions for about a week before the test starts.

Reagents & materials required

Seeds (e.g. beans or maize), fresh batch	10-20 seeds
Seeds, poorly-stored/humid-exposed batch	10-20 seeds
Paper towels	2 sheets
Ziplock bags or trays	2

Procedure, step by step

1
Obtain two batches of the same type of seed, ideally one fresh batch and one that's been stored poorly, or deliberately expose one batch to humid, warm, open-air conditions for about a week before you start.
2
Lay out 10–20 seeds from each batch on separate damp paper towels.
3
Fold or roll each paper towel loosely around its seeds and place each into its own labeled ziplock bag or tray, leaving it slightly open for airflow.
4
Keep both samples somewhere warm and check every day, re-moistening the paper towel whenever it starts to dry out.
5
After 5–7 days, count how many seeds in each batch have visibly germinated, sprouted a root or shoot.
6
Calculate the germination/viability rate for each batch as a percentage: (number germinated ÷ total seeds tested) × 100.
7
Compare the viability rates between your two batches and write up your conclusion about how the storage conditions affected them.

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