Basic Test Descriptions
All domestic analysis is accredited by the Canadian Food and Inspection Agency
Canadian Seed Institute Monitoring Sample – Verification of grade on Purity.
Dormancy test – Determines type of dormancy for expected germination.
Germination – A test to evaluate a seed’s capability to develop into a normal healthy plant under favorable field conditions. Two or four replicates of 100 seeds each are taken from the pure seed fraction of the sample and germinated in a temperature-controlled environment.
Germination in soil on treated seed – 200 seeds are examined with a complete diagnostic profile.
Germination in soil tests requiring fungicide/insecticide – Hand-treated applications. Please specify treatment.
Purity – An analysis to determine the number or weight of the contaminants in the seed sample. All impurities are recorded as per Canada Grade Tables.
Purity on treated Seed – Purity as previously defined but on treated with an Insecticide, Pesticide or Coating. Pricing includes removal of treatment for analysis.
Weed check – Seed sample is analyzed for weed content.
% Pure Seed – An analysis to determine the percentage of actual seed by weight in the sample. This is calculated by separating each component into categories (i.e. % crop being analyzed, % weeds, % other crop and % inert matter).
Seed Health Testing and Pathology Tests
Fusarium Head Blight (Fusarium graminearum) – Detection of highly virulent Fusarium graminearum causing severe crop losses over several years once introduced into the soil. DNA-based PCR testing is now available for all cereal crops and is recommended for faster, more sensitive detection. Culture plate testing is recommended for quantitative estimation of infected seed.
Fusarium Species -200 seed culture test to identify and quantify all species of Fusarium present.
Smut – 1000 seed embryo extraction test to quantify the presence of True Loose Smut."
Vomitoxin – High sensitivity deoxynivalenol (DON) ELISA plate, antibody-based test for the quantitative analysis of Vomitoxin in grain, grain products and malt.
Fungal Screen™ (for Cereals) & Complete Disease Diagnostics™ (for Pulses) – Fungal pathogens known to affect seed quality are identify by genus. Cultures also indicate the percentage of pathogenic fungi capable of producing toxins and/or deterioration to seed and feedstuffs.
SPECIALTY TESTS/QUALITY CONTROL DETERMINATION
1000 Kernel Weight – To determine seeding rate. Moisture loss can affect test results; please submit samples in a moisture proof bag (ISTA method).
Percent Moisture - Oven Method – Moisture loss can affect test results; please submit all samples in a moisture proof bag (ISTA method).
Tetrazolium Chloride (TZ) – A biochemical test to determine the potential viability and vigour of seed. Imbibitions of the chemical solution and enzyme reactions within the seed result in staining patterns, which are indicative of the seed’s viability.
Vigor & Viability – Cold Stress Test. Seeds are placed under stress in a cold environment to determine the potential for rapid and uniform emergence.
Herbicide Tolerance – Antibody blotter or greenhouse bioassay tests are available. Please inquire as to which would be most appropriate to your situation.
– Clearfield ConfirmSM for Spring Wheat, Canola & Lentils.
– Roundup Ready® for Canola & Soybeans.
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