The study assessed the health QUALITY of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) SEED samples collected from formal and informal sector in Ethiopia and Syria. In Ethiopia, several SEED-borne fungi were found on wheat samples: Cochliobolus sativum, Fusarium avenaceum, F. graminearum, F. nivale, F. poae and Septoria nodorum. C. sativum was predominant with 84% of samples infected (frequency) and 1.85% mean infection level (rate) followed by F. graminearum with 74% and 1.54%, respectively. Certified SEED consistently showed less infection for most SEED-borne pathogens. In Syria, 68% and 14%, respectively, of wheat samples were infected with common bunt (Tilletia spp) and loose smut (Ustilago tritici). Mean loose smut infection rate was 0.79%. In barley, 85% of samples were infected with covered smut (Ustilago hordei) and 83% with loose smut (Ustilago nuda). Mean loose smut infection rate was 18%. Wheat SEED health was better than of barley in terms of frequency and rate of infection. In Ethiopia, significant difference (P<0.001) in infection levels was detected for most pathogens from different SEED sources, but not in Syria. There were significant differences (P<0.001) in mean infection levels across regions and districts for both crops in Ethiopia and Syria. All SEED samples infected with loose smut of wheat or barley were in excess of minimum standards for SEED certification across West Asia and North Africa, showing fundamental weaknesses in SEED health from both formal and informal sources. National SEED programs should set realistic standards and introduce routine testing to produce healthy SEED.

SEED germination is the begining of life cycle for many crops. Snitable methods of SEED selection and production have great effects on the yield. In this study, a field work was preceded hy a laboratory experiment in order to evaluate the SEED vigour in seven sorghum lines. The field experiment was a RCBD with three replications and was carried out in 1998, Karaj, Iran. Each experimental plot was 2.6x7m with four rows (65 cm between the rows). After SEEDling emergence, the germination percentage was recorded. When the SEEDlings were at 4-6 leaves thinning was done to reduce the space between them to 6cm in a row and other necessary practices were carried out on time until the SEEDs were fully matured. Samples were taken from all the seven sorghum lines and in the laboratory, using RCBD design, standard Germination Test (G), Cold Test (CT), Accelerated Ageing Test (AA), Electrical Conductivity Test (EC) with four replications were implemented on the samples. The results indicated that the sorghum lines KFS1, KFS2 and KFS4 are significantly different in SEED vigours, percentage of field emergence and also the fresh and dry matter yields of forage.

In order to determine the best SEED vigor test in laboratory which may provide high correlation between alfalfa SEEDling stablishment in the field, two experiments were conducted in field as well as in laboratory. Four alfalfa cultivars Bami, Ghareyonjeh, Hamadani and Yazdi were used. Different SEED vigor tests including standard germination, germination in low temperature (50C), germination rate, osmotic stress, accelerated ageing and electrical conductivity tests were laid out in a randomized completely design (RCD) with four replications in laboratory experiment. The second experiment was carried out in a randomized completely block design (RCBD) and each treatment replicated four times. Results revealed significant differences p£0.01) among different cultivars for establishment percentage and rate. Results also showed that there were significant correlations between electrical conductivity test and establishment percentage (r= -0.65, p £ 0.01) as well as establishment rate (r= -0.80, p £0.01). Correlation coefficients for rate and emergence percentage were significant and positive (r= 0.91, p £0.01).Stepwise method disclosed that the regression model (y=165.23 - 0.15 x, r2 =0.64), (p£0.01) for predicting rate of emergence could be recommended. In this model x (dependent variable) is value of electrical conductivity and y (independent variable) is rate of emergence.

This study was conducted to evaluate the response of Acer cineracens Boiss SEEDs under accelerated aging test. The accelerated aging test was carried out at three different temperatures: 41, 43 and 45°C with four duration periods of 48, 72, 96, 144 and a relative humidity of 100%. The SEEDs were subjected to tests of their QUALITY including standard germination, vigor index and growth of SEEDling. A completely randomized factorial design with four replications was used. Results indicated that SEEDs had a reduction of viability and vigor after accelerated aging at 41°C for 96 hours, 43 and 45°C for 72-144 hours. Germination, vigor index and growth of SEEDling showed a greater response to accelerated aging.

In order to evaluation of most suitable SEED moisture content at harvest for production of high viability and vigor SEED of two Oil-SEED rape cultivars, this study was conducted during 2000- 2009 in Dezfoul. Therefore samples of Hyola 401 and Hyola 308 cultivars SEEDs by 10%, 15%, 25% and 35% moisture content harvest from SEED multiplying field and at central SEED analysis laboratory of SEED & Plant Certification & Registration Institute(SPCRI) in Karaj by conducting standard germination test, some SEED QUALITY indices like as primary and final germination percent (SEED viability), normal and abnormal SEEDling number, mean daily germination speed(MDG), daily germination speed (DGS), SEEDling length, fresh and dry SEEDling weight and SEEDling vigor index ( SEEDling dry weight × viability) measured. Obtained data by 2×4 factorial experimental based on completely randomized design with three replication, combine analyzed and results revealed that expect of normal and abnormal SEEDling number, all measured indices affected by studied factors and primary and final germination percent, mean daily germination speed (MDG), fresh and dry SEEDling weight and SEEDling vigor index (SEEDling dry weight × viability) affected by cultivar × SEED moisture content × year interaction. Highest primary and final germination percent obtained at 15 percent SEED moisture content for both cultivars. Also the highest rate of mean daily germination speed (MDG), fresh and dry SEEDling weight and SEEDling vigor index (SEEDling dry weight × viability) obtained at 15 percent SEED moisture content for both cultivars. In addition to, primary and final germination percent of Hyola 401 was more than Hyola 308. This result revealed that SEED QUALITY and its various aspects affected by environmental factors and SEEDs harvested at 15 percent moisture content have highest SEED QUALITY.

Reference to the International SEED Testing Association, SEED health testing is the most important aspect of SEED testing. The SEED borne fungi and insects cause reduction of viability and vigor of the SEED samples. Therefore, SEED health test should be considered in SEED testing. In this research, SEED samples of some species collected from different regions of Iran, were chosen for SEED health testing. After cleaning and determination of physical purity, the SEED samples were analyzed for determination of SEED borne mycoflora (fungi) and insects. Damaging effects of SEED borne pest were observed on the SEED samples, but there were not any life cycles of insect (adult, larva and pupa). The infected SEEDs were separated from healthy SEED. Also for determination of mycoflora (SEED borne fungi), with the trace of damaging, shapes of symptoms on the SEED and their colour were used for identification of healthy SEEDs from non-healthy SEEDs. The infected SEEDs were cultured on Potato Dextroz Agar (PDA), after growing of fungi, four genera called Penicillium, Alternaria, Aspergilus, Rhizopus and Fusarium were isolated from the SEED samples. Moreover, the SEED QUALITY (percentage of germination and speed of germination) of infected SEEDs to SEED borne fungi were compared to healthy SEEDs.