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Ancient Practices
Egyptians and Mesopotamians: Ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians and Mesopotamians practiced basic forms of seed selection and testing. They would save seeds from the healthiest and most productive plants for future planting. This form of natural selection helped improve crop yields over generations.
China: Historical texts indicate that ancient Chinese farmers employed similar practices. They understood the importance of selecting high-quality seeds to ensure good harvests.
19th Century
Emergence of Agricultural Science: The 19th century saw the formalization of agricultural science. Scientists like Gregor Mendel laid the groundwork for understanding genetics, which indirectly influenced seed testing practices.
Seed Companies: The establishment of seed companies in Europe and North America brought about more systematic approaches to seed testing. These companies began to recognize the need for quality control to ensure the reliability of their products.
Germination Tests: Simple germination tests became more common. Farmers and seed companies would plant a sample of seeds to see how many sprouted, providing a basic measure of seed viability.
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