STA Laboratories is staffed with scientists and Registered Seed Technologists that conduct high throughput and accurate seed testing for germination, purity, and weed content.

Using AOSA, ISTA, or Canadian rules, we provide reliable testing on several hundred different species to ensure the quality of your vegetable, fruit, grain, flower, or ornamental seeds. Our Seed Analysis services include:

Germination
Stress/Vigor Tests
SVIS
Physical Purities
How to Submit A Seed Sample

 

Germination

STA Seed Analysis offers germination testing to seed companies throughout the world. A standard germination test shows how the seed lot will perform under ideal conditions, e.g. light, temperature, and moisture. Our germination testing, led by in-house Registered Seed Technologists (RSTs), enables seed companies to comply with the Federal Seed Act, thereby allowing the transport of seeds across state lines, as well as out of the country.

Germination is the emergence and development of the essential structures from the seed embryo that, for the type of seed in question, indicate the ability to produce a normal plant under favorable conditions. The objective of the germination test is to determine the percentage of normal seedlings in the test. Our germination testing provides seed companies with the information they need to properly evaluate the potential of their seed lots.

STA performs germination tests on several hundred different species of seeds using Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA), International Seed Testing Association (ISTA), or Canadian rules.

For more information on STA Seed Analysis, contact Linda Barbosa, Registered Seed Technologist, at 888-782-5220 or info@stalabs.com.

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Stress/Vigor Tests

While germination testing measures how a lot will perform under favorable conditions, Stress/Vigor testing helps seed companies understand the true vigor of a seed lot under diverse conditions (e.g., cold or hot weather, wet or dry soil, varying storage periods). Stress testing is used by the industry to help make strategic business decisions.

Which lots are most appropriate for early spring versus late spring plantings? Where in the country should specific lots be shipped? The STA Seed Analysis stress/vigor testing helps your inventory team to better manage lots, reducing the likelihood of having to absorb the consequences of poor quality lots. Our team helps you understand the test results and consults with you on how to best use the information to assess seed quality and decrease your business risks.

Seed vigor is a complicated assessment made up of several properties, which can help determine the potential for rapid, uniform emergence and development of normal seedlings under a wide range of field conditions. STA offers SVIS, accelerated ageing, heat /cold stress and soil tests to provide vigor information for clients.

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SVIS

STA Seed Analysis continually looks to integrate advances in technology into its testing protocols. In many agricultural crops, uniformity is paramount, allowing growers to harvest a field one time versus several times during a season. The more uniform and vigorous a crop, the less cost there is in harvesting it. STA Seed Analysis has refined itsSVIS testing to accurately measure rate of emergence and uniformity of lettuce seed lots. Other vegetable crops such as carrots, tomatoes, peppers and more are in development with this system.

The Seed Vigor Imaging System (SVIS) was developed at Ohio State as a vigor test that measures speed of emergence and uniformity of growth. Seedling images are processed by a computer to generate numerical values that collectively represent the quality of a seed lot (vigor index).

We work with you to understand the results of SVIS testing and help you determine the condition of the mother lot and whether further milling or lot-splitting will improve your product.

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Physical Purities

STA Seed Analysis provides physical purity testing as defined by the Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA) rules. Federal regulations mandate a minimum level of physical purity per lot.

A physical purity test determines the composition of a seed lot by measuring the percentage of pure seed versus other crop, inert material, and weeds. Noxious weeds are identified and the rate of their occurrence is determined.

Dependent upon the results of a physical purity test, a company can decide to regrade a lot to improve the quality and marketability.

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