What is a Vigour Test?
What is a vigour test?
A vigour test reveals a seed lot’s ability to withstand a variety of different stress factors.
Vigour tests are designed to mimic poor seeding conditions to find out how the seed lot will perform under stress. It’s the exact opposite of a germination test, where seed is grown under optimum conditions.
3 Critical Seed Tests
What are “The 3 Critical Seed Tests”?
A germination test is an integral part of a seed quality regime and is vital for assessing seed viability. Beyond germination, we at 20/20 Seed Labs Inc. consider the 3 critical seed tests to be a vigour test, a thousand kernel weight test and a disease diagnostic profile to assess the range of seed borne diseases that may be present on the seed.
What is a Germination Test?
A germination test determines the maximum germination potential, or viability, of the seed.
Why do a Germination Test?
The germination rate of a particular seed lot is a key indicator as to how that seed will perform in the field.
Nodulation Assessments
A healthy-looking pulse plant in the field is not necessarily a reflection of healthy nitrogen fixation underground. Localized soil environments, particularly those with variations in soil nitrogen, can lead to vigorous growth that can hide any nodulation problems.
A plant’s potential to fix nitrogen can be evaluated by assessing nodulation and plant growth characteristics. It means the only way to see if a rhizobia-based inoculant is helping the crop properly fix nitrogen is to dig plants up and examine the roots.
What Causes Clubroot in Canola?
Clubroot in canola is caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae, a parasite that infects the roots of host plants and produces club-shaped galls that restrict the flow of water and nutrients. Plasmodiophora brassicae is an obligate parasite, meaning it cannot survive without a living host.
Additional information is available from the Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development website.
Flax Testing
A flax sample MUST be submitted with a Sample Submission Form.
How to Read a Report of Seed Analysis
When seed testing is complete, you will receive a Report of Seed Analysis that provides information about the test results and the lab. You will receive a separate Report of Seed Analysis for each seed lot you submit. Here is an explanation of the information you will find in these reports. Each Report is signed by a senior seed analyst and sealed with the approved seal of the Commercial Seed Analyst Association of Canada. A locked pdf Report of Seed Analysis is available on our website.
Testing Recommendations and Packages
Seed is the ultimate crop input. Testing it tells you everything there is to know about the seed you plan to use so that you can make informed decisions for the season ahead.
Here are some testing recommendations, based on seed type, along with a list of seed testing packages available through 20/20 Seed Labs Inc.
Critical Testing Packages (3)
Forms (3)
Fusarium (3)
Germination Laboratory (3)
Molecular Laboratory (3)
Reporting and Results (1)
Tests for Common Diseases (14)
