Technical Note: Measuring moisture content of small seeds

Abstract

An accurate determination of moisture content in hydrated or partially hydrated seeds is fundamental to understanding early physiological processes in seeds, and the associated environmental interactions that affect seedling vigor, establishment, and survival. One difficulty encountered while measuring the moisture content of imbibed seeds is that water evaporates from the seed during weighing. This is particularly significant for small seeds because they have a large surface area to volume ratio. We developed a procedure using a standard tin capsule and microbalance which was simple, inexpensive, facilitated precise measurement of moisture in hydrated seeds, and provided reliable results with a minimal amount of seeds. The method is recommended as a means for increasing the accuracy of seed weight and seed moisture measurements.