The dehydrogenases include several oxidoreductases functioning in different parts of plants. The TTC (2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride) test is a biochemical test used all over the world to determine the viability of seeds. The test is based on the conversion of TTC, a water-soluble colourless compound, to an insoluble red/ pink coloured compound formazan by dehydrogenases present in the tissues. In the present investigation, dehydrogenase activity using the TTC test has been compared in the germinating seeds of three pulses, namely Cicer arietinum (chickpea; black and Kabuli) and Vigna radiata (green gram), and sweet corn (Zea mays) grains. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was used as the solvent for extracting the formazan formed, and the technique of colorimetry was used for relative quantification of formazan based on absorbance values. All the four materials studied were TTC test positive and, therefore, contained dehydrogenases. The absorbance values showed that the activity of dehydrogenases was maximum in V. radiata and minimum in C. arietinum (black).