Other Seed consists of any seeds other than the species under test, such as weed seeds or other crop seeds.

Frequently freshly harvested seed does not germinate spontaneously. We treat various species to overcome this dormancy and give an improved germination test result. Dormancy treatments include pre-chilling, acid scarification, potassium nitrate, etc.

This result shows the percentage of seeds that grew to be Normal Seedlings by the end of the test period. A Normal Seedling is one that would most likely produce a normal healthy plant under perfect field conditions at the time that the test was carried out.

This is the percentage of seedlings that have abnormalities that would usually mean that they would not grow into normal productive plants under optimal field conditions.

Hard seed is seed that has not imbibed water and remains in its pretest condition at the end of the Germination Test.

These seeds have taken up water but have not grown to a point where they can reliably be said to be Normal (Germination) or Abnormal.

This result shows the percentage of Dead Seeds. This can only increase as seed deteriorates.

This is a rapid biochemical test for seed viability. In most cases we are able to provide a result 1 full business day after receipt. The test has some equivalence to the Germination Test, however, it does not give any information about (Fresh or Hard) or Abnormals.

The standard Moisture Test for Seed is by the ISTA Oven Dried Method. We are able to test some grains by NIR.

When any  of these tests are requested we provide the results for both seeds/kg and 1000 seed weight.

A Seed Vigour Test is designed to optimise seedling emergence under good field conditions. It is normally carried out using our own proprietary medium, however, in some instances we invite you to supply your own soil. The depth of soil in a Vigour Test depends on the species being tested – most broadacre crops are tested at 5cm depth. In a Vigour Test, the seedling must emerge normally through the soil, while in a standard Germination Test, a seedling only needs to have the critical parts of a seedling to develop normally to be considered normal. In some cases (large legumes like Soybeans), seedlings that would be considered Abnormal in a Germination Test may emerge normally in a Vigour Test. In most instances a seed lot with a low Vigour may have a higher Germination Test result because the seed simply does not have the energy to emerge through a depth of soil.

This is a list of any Other Seed found in the sample. Some states have restrictions and prohibitions on certain weed species.