| Conditioning
upgrades the quality of a seed lot by eliminating immature and
damaged seeds. Conditioning can also be used to remove
non-viable and low vigor seeds by exploiting differences in
seed weight, seed size and seed volume. The influence of seed
size and density on germination and emergence has been well
documented for cotton (Krieg and Bartee, 1975) and soybeans
(Hoy and Gamble, 1985). Hydrated seeds may also be sorted by
density (Hill et at., 1989).
Commercial exploitation of
these principles has led to the development and marketing of
products like New Density® and the start-up of companies that
commercially separate seed into different density fractions as
their major service (e.g.
Pacific Grading
Service). One
purpose of seed lot upgrading is to further improve the
uniformity and vigor of a particular seed lot so stand
establishment is improved (as in the case of Pacific Grading
Service). The other purpose is to eliminate non-viable seeds
from existing lots so that the seed-lot utilized for planting
has the potential for nearly 100% emergence (as in the case of
New Density®).
 With the availability of seed
lots that have nearly 100% viability combined with the faster
emergence and disease control of priming, uniform and near
perfect stands of vegetables can be attained. Seed technology
advancements will continue to enhance agricultural production
as land availability decreases and competitive demand for
maximum production increases.
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