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Seed Testing Lab

SEED CERTIFICATION AND TESTING.

One State Seed Testing laboratory of FS&ADD is located at Majitar, East where seed testing and certification is done in the laboratory throughout the year. Since, seed testing is an important phase of crop cultivation. The main objective of seed certification as well as in the general production. The category of test performed in the laboratory is germination test, moisture determination and observation of physical purities.  Seeds of different species require different condition to be able to germinate to their full potential. As per the strength of the laboratory Service samples and certified seed samples.

The Seed sample is fed in to the hopper of divider and allows the sample to pass through the main body of the divider to homogenize the submitted sample before reducing it to the size of working sample. Physical purity test conducted on purity board for identification of specific contaminant seeds, weed seed, inert matter.

Three types of tests are conducted and the suitable substrates used in the laboratory for seed germination are

1.Fine river sand

2.Top of paper (T.P)

3.Between paper (B.P).

1. Sand:  The bold type of seeds (Soyabean, Rajmash, and Maize) are planted on a level layer of moist sand and covered with 10-20 mm of compressed sand depending on the size of the seed. To ensure good germination it is recommended that bottom layer of sand be loosened by raking before sowing. Germination test are evaluated by counting the seedling. Only a single count is made encase of sand test.

2. Top of paper (T.P): Small seeded species(Mustard, millet) are usually tested on top of paper. Individual paper circles is dipped in tap water with the help of forceps after draining of extra moisture it is placed in the Petri dishes of appropriate size with tight fitting lid to avoid evaporation which are placed in cabinet. The relative humidity in the cabinet is maintained as close to saturation as possible to prevent drying out.

3. Between paper (B.P): Large and medium sized seeds (paddy, buckwheat, wheat) however are unable or too slow to germinate under these condition because their upper surface loses moisture too quickly for the required threshold content to be achieved. The seeds therefore needed another sheet of germination paper on top of them by loosely covering the seeds with an additional layer of filter paper.

Polythene sheet is used to cover the roll so as to retain the moisture and to retain the seed at their place on the germination paper. The rolls are kept in vertical position in the germinator.

Germination test is evaluated after expiry of germination period which varies from crop to crop. First and second counts are usually taken in the case of between paper (BP) and top of paper (TP) and only a single count is made in case of sand test.

Finally the result of Germination test are reported on analysis certificate.