| Clearfield Bioassay Test for Wheat: The herbicide trait bioassay test subjects the seed to the herbicide to determine the percent of the seed that has the resistant gene present. |
| KOH Test: Test for red seed in white wheat. This can also be used to determine white seed in a red variety of wheat. |
| Purity Analysis: Determines the percentage of pure seed, inert matter, other crop seed, and weed seed in the sample submitted for analysis. Identification is made of other crop and weed seed found in the sample, and reported at its rate of occurrence in seeds per pound. |
| Noxious Exam: Determination of presence and rate of occurrence of noxious weed seeds. All submitted samples requesting a purity analysis are tested for Wyoming noxious weed seeds at no additional cost. If requested, a noxious exam can be performed for a specific state, region or an all states exam. |
| Germination Test: Determines the percentage of normal seedlings that germinate under ideal laboratory growing conditions. The percentage of hard or dormant seeds is also determined when present at no additional cost. When hard or dormant seeds are found in the test, the report of analysis will also indicate the sum of the germination and hard or dormant percentages, which is the total viable percentage. |
| Tetrazolium Test (TZ): A biochemical test that estimates the viability of a seed lot. It is often referred to as a "quick test" since it is normally completed in 24 to 48 hours. It can be done as a "stand alone" viability test, or when done in conjunction with a germination test, a TZ test is used to determine the percentage of viable seeds that are dormant at the end of the germination test. Before labeling seed with a "stand alone" TZ test (without a germination test), check the seed law/regulations of the state where the seed is going to be sold to make sure it is legal to label and sell seed based on a TZ test. |
| Seed Count: Determination of number of seeds per pound. |
| Moisture Test: Many agronomic species can be tested on the AM 5200-A Grain Moisture Meter, which is authorized by the Federal Grain Inspection Service as “the designated official moisture meter for work within the official system”. Other species can have a moisture test conducted by the oven method using the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) rules. |
| Test Weight: Determined by the AM 5200-A Grain Moisture Meter. |
| Sampling: To obtain a representative sample from a bulk bin, obtain 5-7 random sub-samples from several areas of the bun using a seed probe which can reach all areas of the bin. Thoroughly mix the probed seed, and divide it down to the amount of seed required by the seed lab. If the seed lot is stored in bags, randomly sample 5 bags plus 10% of the total number of bags. Regardless of lot size, it is not necessary to sample more than 30 bags. Once the bags are probed, mix the seed drawn from the bags, thoroughly mix the seed, and divide it down to the amount required by the seed lab. |
UW Seed Analysis Laboratory
749 Road 9
Powell, WY 82435
(307) 754-4750
seed-lab@uwyo.edu