The first section is aimed mainly at the trainee seed analyst and trainers and contains background information on the elements of seed biology, an understanding of which is considered essential for seed analysts. For the first time, general evaluation rules such as the 50% rule for the evaluation of cotyledons are considered in depth and explained with the use of diagrams and colour prints of seedlings. The evaluation of different seedling types is fully illustrated by colour prints of normal and abnormal seedlings. Diagrams and plates are also used to explain in detail the intricacies of the evaluation of species, such as Zea and Phaseolus, and defects, such as physiological necrosis and negative geotropism.


The Edition 2009 includes the Amendments to the ISTA Handbook on Seedling Evaluation.