Postal Strike Update | Mise à jour sur la grève du Syndicat des travailleurs et travailleuses des postes

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Government of Saskatchewan ministries, Crown corporations and organizations are implementing contingency plans to minimize the impacts of postal service disruption.

Les ministères, sociétés d’État et organismes du gouvernement de la Saskatchewan mettent en œuvre des plans d’urgence visant à réduire les répercussions de l’interruption du service des postes.

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Seed Testing for Crop Producers: Saving Costs and Maximizing Yields

By Praveen Sapkota, AAg, Crops Extension Specialist, Moose Jaw

November 2024

Crop producers often find seed testing to be a time-consuming or costly process, with the added burden of needing to drop off samples at a lab. However, seed testing is an essential step in ensuring the quality and viability of the seeds used in the field. By conducting seed tests before planting, producers can make informed decisions that ultimately save both time and money. For instance, if a seed lot is tested before cleaning and the results show it is unsuitable for seeding, producers can avoid unnecessary costs and labour associated with cleaning subpar seed.

Proper Sample Collection

Proper sampling techniques are essential for accurately assessing a seed lot’s potential performance in the field and avoiding errors that could result in misleading test results.

Key Seed Tests

Several key tests are commonly conducted to evaluate seed quality:

Lentil seed germination test
Germination test of lentil seed
  • Germination Test: This test determines the maximum germination potential of a seed lot under optimal conditions, including moisture, light and temperature. The test helps to identify the proportion of seeds that are capable of germinating and classifies seeds as normal seedling, abnormal seedling or ungerminated seeds. The ungerminated seeds could be fresh, dormant, hard or dead.
  • Vigour Test: While the germination test measures potential under ideal conditions, the vigour test evaluates how well the seeds can perform under less-than-optimal, stressful conditions, usually cold stress. The results from the vigour test should not deviate by more than 10 per cent from the germination test, providing an indication of how seeds will perform in challenging field conditions.
  • Thousand Kernel Weight (TKW): TKW measures the weight, in grams, of 1,000 seeds from the lot. This test is important for determining the optimal seeding rate, which can enhance precision seeding and ensure the right density of plants in the field.
  • Seed-borne Pathogen Tests: These tests help identify potential diseases that could affect the crop yield. Especially if the pathogens have seed-to-seedling transmission.

Seed Storage and the Need for Additional Testing

It is important to note that seed quality, including germination and vigour, can be affected during storage, especially over the winter months. The environmental conditions during storage—such as temperature, humidity and handling—can influence the seed’s viability. As a result, producers may need to perform an additional round of seed testing in early spring before planting to ensure the seeds are still suitable for seeding.

Choosing the Right Laboratory

Submitting samples to an accredited seed laboratory ensures reliable results, as these labs adhere to strict testing standards. A complete list of accredited seed labs is available on the Canadian Seed Institute's website or call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377 to talk to your local crops extension specialist.

While seed testing may seem like an added cost, it’s an investment that reduces risks and operational expenses. High-quality seeds lead to better yields and lower input costs, making seed testing a crucial step in pre-planting preparation.

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