seeds Do dark or cracked seeds germinate?

[Toleman]

I have never really looked closely when sowing but after looking at some of my seeds - some are dark and some have hairline cracks. Will they germinate or would you not even bother planting them?

Your take on this?

 

[serrano]

if you have plenty then i would throw away those dark ones. little cracks should not affect germination by my understanding.

 

[Pepperfreak]

I usually toss the dark seeds. JMO

 

[my_key]

I've had good luck with seeds with dark spots or small cracks (some people even do seed scarification with a sharp knife or sandpaper to aid/hasten germination).

 

[POTAWIE]

I throw out seeds with black spots but as for cracks, even seeds that have been crushed by postal rollers often still germinate

 

[PepperLover]

they might try