Brookings, South Dakota
March 6, 2008
With all the quality challenges
this year, it is imperative to provide growers with the most
recent and accurate label information.
 SGS-MWSS
recommends that seed companies perform a final quality test
using sand emergence testing (an AOSA official labeling method)
on soybean seed lots.
Sand testing requires 7-8 days and questionable seedlings can be
extended an additional 2 days for seedling re-evaluation.
The sand germination test provides a uniform water uptake media
and isolates seeds from adjacent fungal-infected or dead seeds.
If a seed lot has fungal infections such as Phomopsis, infected
seeds or seedlings can infect adjacent healthy seedlings causing
decay or abnormal-appearing seedlings.
Once a seedling has decayed it is difficult for seed analysts to
determine the infection source, sand testing reduces this issue.
Sand also provides an emergence condition (½ to ¾” of sand
covering the seed) similar to what will be encountered in the
production field.
For more information on testing, please contact Joyce Kindvall,
Soybean Accounts Manager at 605-696-5654. |
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