Cereal Services
Warm Germination
Testing is conducted according to the Association Official Seed Analysts (AOSA), International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) Rules for Testing seeds or Canada Methods and Procedures (Canada M&P) based on customer need. Each germination test consists of four hundred randomly selected pure seeds. The duration of this test depends on specific crop species. Types of media utilized include crepe cellulose paper (TC), towel (T) and Sand (TCS). The sand method is used whenever possible as it best emulates emergence in the field. Percentage of normal seedlings is reported. Seed treating prior to testing is available, as requested. Treating scabby seed reduces fungal inoculum and mycelium growth, and provides a best-case scenario for maximum germination.
Tetrazolium
Seed is imbibed for 16 hours as a pre-conditioning step to allow easier long-sectioning of seeds and to ramp up respiration and enzyme systems. Cereal seeds bisected longitudinally through the embryo and stained with a 0.1% Tetrazolium solution. Percentage of viable seed (normal staining embryos and any dormant seeds) is reported. When seed has a fungal colonization, such as wheat scab, this test will best estimate a treated germination test.
40F or 50F Cold
Each cold test consists of 200 seeds planted on chilled crepe cellulose paper to emulate a cold water uptake. The cold duration is seven days in an aerobic environment, followed by a growth period at 77°F until 120+ Growing Degree Day (GDD) units are reached. Percentage of normal seedlings is reported.
Accelerated Aging
Occasionally used as a vigor test for cereals, seed is aged for 48 hours at 41°C in a high humidity regime. After aging, 200 seeds are planted on top of crepe cellulose paper and covered with sand. Percentage of normal seedlings is reported. Additional information regarding fungal and physical damage are under Raw Data on the report.
LL601/LLRICE62 GMO Screen
Provides an estimated level of unintended LL601 GMO event in a sample using semi-qualitative testing strategies and Seed Calc statistical analysis. Rice is grouped into 10 "pools" of 3000 seeds. DNA is extracted from ground material and tested for the presence of specific DNA sequences utilized with LL601 gene insertion. The number of "pools" with positive or negative results for the specific LL601 DNA sequence, the total number of seed tested, and an estimated contamination level according to Seed Calc is reported for the submitted sample.
Purity & Noxious Weed Exam
Or Other Seed Determination, is conducted according to the Association Official Seed Analysts (AOSA), International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) Rules for Testing seeds or Canada Methods and Procedures (Canada M&P) based on customer need. Samples are physically examined for inert, weed and other crop seeds. Pure seed, inert matter (broken seeds, soil, etc.) and other seed are reported as percentages by weight. For AOSA rules, other crop seeds are defined as other crop seed and common weed seeds. Noxious weed seeds in specific state(s), or the entire lower 48 states, are reported as well. This exam is required for the seed label in accordance with Federal Seed Act and assures clean pure seed, free of undesireable seed.