International Certificates
International Certificates are generally used where seed is being exported, or where a customer requests such a certificate. The Department of Agriculture's Seed Testing Laboratory is accredited to issue International Certificates on behalf of the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA).
The following is a link to ISTA
Our laboratory is accredited to test the following species:
| SPECIES |
|---|
| Agrostis canina |
| Agrostis capillaris |
| Agrostis gigantea |
| Agrostis stolonifera |
| Allium cepa |
| Avena sativa |
| Brassica juncea |
| Brassica napus |
| Brassica napus var. napobrassica |
| Brassica nigra |
| Brassica oleracea |
| Brassica rapa |
| Cynosurus cristatus |
| Daucus carota |
| Festuca arundinacea |
| Festuca ovina |
| Festuca pratensis |
| Festuca rubra |
| Hordeum vulgare |
| Lactuca sativa |
| Linum usitatissimum |
| Lolium multiflorum |
| Lolium perenne |
| Phaseolus vulgaris |
| Phleum pratense |
| Pisum sativum |
| Trifolium dubium |
| Trifolium pratense |
| Trifolium repens |
| Triticum aestivum |
| Vicia faba |
| Secale cereale |
| Triticosecale |
| Zea mays |
The Moisture Test
Object of the test
The object is to determine the moisture content of seeds by an oven method for routine use.
General principles
Our laboratory follows International Seed Testing Association rules for moisture testing. The method used is the constant oven method. All samples are tested in duplicate and the average of the two in tolerance duplicates are reported. It is vitally important that any sample submitted for moisture testing is submitted in a moisture proof container.
Test time
Moisture tests are normally given priority and a result is usually available within 2 working days of receipt.
Report issued
The report issued states the percentage moisture found in the submitted sample.
The Fluorescence Test
Object of the test
To distinguish between Lolium multiflorum (Italian ryegrass) and Lolium perenne ( perennial ryegrass).
General principles
Seeds are germinated upright in paper towelling so that their roots are clearly visible. In most varieties of Lolium multiflorum the root traces of the majority of the seedlings show fluorescence under ultra-violet light, whereas in most varieties of Lolium perenne the root traces of the majority of the seedlings do not show fluorescence. The fluorescence test alone, however, is not always a sufficient basis for the identification of a species or a cultivar, because many of the varieties grown contain a certain number of plants which do not give a typical reaction for that species
Test time
The test time is 14 days from initiation of the test.
Report issued
States the number of seeds which fluoresced.
1000 Seed Weight
The 1000 seed weight test is intended to determine the weight of 1000 pure seeds from the submitted sample.
