Seed Testing

To reassure you that your potential Farm-Saved Seed is suitable for Processing, we offer a full range of seed testing services.

These include Germination, Viability, Vigour, 1000 grain Weight, Admix, and various disease tests, all of which are optional.

Cereal Testing

	Test	Comment
1.	Vitascope Germination	Low cost, it tells you whether the germ is alive or not. May not show up Pre-Harvest Glyphosate, or moderated drying damage 1-2 days.
2.	As Grown Germination	The most accurate assessment of the seeds ability to produce normal seedlings under lab conditions 10-14 days.
3.	Tetrazolium Viability & Vigour	Best quick Test incl. Vigour - untreated. May not show up Pre-Harvest Glyphosate, or moderated drying damage 1-2 days.
4.	Grown Germ. + Vigour	Overwintered Treated Seed
5.	1000 Grain Weight	Seed is screened before weighing to enable calculation of optimum seed rates 1-2 days.
6.	Moisture	Should not exceed 16% for seed treatment.
7.	Admixture/Search - Cereals 50gms	Check for other species/Weeds Seeds - Blackgrass, Bromegrasses, Wild Oats etc. 1-1 days
8.	Test Package	Numbers 1, 3 & 4 combined
	9. Tetrazolium Test Package	Numbers 3, 4 & 8. NOT OSR - untreated
10.	Fusarium	Organic seed or untreated seed
11.	Bunt	Organic seed or untreated seed

Seed can be sent direct to the Seed Laboratory in our Goldingham Contracts Seed Sample Bags to be filled 2/3 full.

ORGANIC Cereal Seed Samples should be tested for disease:-

Cereal Disease Tests if concerned about seed quality:

• Barley Tests - Loose Smut, Leaf stripe, & Net blotch,
• Wheat Tests - Bunt, Microdochium + Septoria,
• Oat Tests – Loose Smut, Microdochium & Leaf Spot
• Tests for Triticale & Rye as for Wheat

Goldingham Contracts will send you a specific pre-paid NIAB Sample Bag for each sample.

Additional tests:-
These tests may be desirable under specific circumstances such as a requirement of a Buy-back Contract when sowing using Farm Processed Seed.

Test	Comment	Results
Varietal identity	Electrophoresis to identify an unknown variety	2-3 days
Varietal Purity	Phenol + Electrophoresis to check varietal purity of known variety	2-3 days

Peas & Beans

Test	Comment
As Grown Germination	'Quick Tests' not possible. Allow 2-3 weeks
1000 grain Weight	Clean untreated seed
Ascochyta	Strongly advised for Peas & Beans to determine seed treatment required
Stem & Bulb Nematode	Now strongly recommended for all FSS Beans after recent wet springs; also to check Certified Seed supplies as there are no seed standards.
Pea Bacterial Blight	Previously MAFF recommended test due to New Zealand research. but not appearing as a UK problem

Oilseed Rape

Please contact me as soon as your Rape has been harvested, for rapid sampling!

Test	Comment
As Grown Germination Testing (200 seeds) incl. 1000 Grain Weight, + Sampling cost incl.	Most accurate method of assessment and advised where pre-harvest Glyphosate or Glufosinate used. Germ. Test will be reported. Essential 'Glyphosated' OSR Allow 7 days
Admix Text Seedlab - 10mgs - eg Charlock	Please advise if required
Rapid TZ Viability & Vigour incl. 1000 Grain Weight, + Sampling cost incl.	Quick accurate test, which we use if quick turnaround is required prior to Seed Processing. Unsuitable if 'Glyphosated' Rapid result: 3-4 days
ERUCIC Acid Testing incl. postage - STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!	NIAB
Analytical Purity - 5gms, charlock/chaff etc, 1000 Grain Weight	NIAB

The preferred option for Oilseed Rape is to use Goldingham Contracts Sampling Service to ensure a thoroughly representative sample is taken.

Linseed

Test	Comment	Results
As Grown Germination	Usually sent to Seed Laboratory as with cereals, unless disease tests are required	7-10 days
1000 grain Weight	As above	1 day
Admix./Purity	As above	1day
Disease Tests	Alternaria, Botrytis, Phoma, Colleotrichum, Fusarium Sp., Mycospharella	7-10 days

Seed Testing Price Lists

Seed Test Price lists are sent out when anticipated seed processing is booked. We use independent Licensed Seed Laboratories that are the most cost-effective, appropriate, and reliable for the individual crop you wish to have tested.

The results are sent to Goldingham Contracts, so that we can discuss them with you, and then make an appropriate arrangement to clean and treat your seed when it is convenient for you.

Click here to contact Charles Goldingham