Deana Namuth-Covert, Laura Pottorff
This course introduces germination and other seed viability testing. Students become familiar with the source of the germination working sample, the AOSA rules for performing the standard germination test, planting the test, evaluating the seedlings, and reporting the results.
The SEED TECHNOLOGY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM (STEP) is recognized by the Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA) and the Society of Commercial Seed Technologists (SCST) and has been offering online academic credit courses since 1998. The program is designed to develop the skills and techniques needed monitor seed quality and ultimately communicate to the end user if the seed is alive, healthy and clean. The traditional program is a main stay for training skilled seed analysts, the backbone of seed consumer protection. STEP has recently updated course content and is making these classes available to anyone that may benefit from seed technology education. Participants now have the option to take the courses either for academic credit to support their academic degrees or to take them for professional learning (nonacademic credit) at a reduced rate.
