Service
Seed Testing Laboratory
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
The department's Seed Testing Laboratory (STL) is part of the Plant Science Division in Backweston. It conducts tests on a wide range of species and is the national seed testing lab providing seed testing and expertise to DAFM control divisions, seed merchants, farmers, growers and forest nurseries.
The species tested include:
- cereals
- grasses (including mixtures)
- oil/fibre
- vegetable seeds
- pulses
- legumes
- tree seeds
- wildflower seeds
The major tests are as follows:
- Germination Test: The best indicator of field emergence
- Purity : Indicates the percentage of pure seed in the lot
- Tetrazolium Test : Rapid indicator of potential germination in cereals
- Flourescence Test: Indicates the presence of Lolium multiflorum in Lolium perenne using ultra violet light
- International Certificate Test: Used when seed is being exported
- Moisture Test: Oven method for determining the moisture content of seed or malt
- 1000 Seed Weight Test: Determines the weight of 1000 seeds
- Hectolitre Weight: A measure of grain density
- Other Seed Determination: Used to determine the number of seeds other than the stated species
- Conductivity Test: Vigour testing for pulses - contact the laboratory
- Phytosanitary Certificate Tests: Generally used for export, determines the presence of pests or notifiable diseases - The STL issues Phytosanitary Certificates for seed sourced or certified in Ireland
- Seed Health Tests: These include Microdochium species and Total Fusarium in cereal crops and Leaf Stripe/Net Blotch in barley
Barley can be tested for Loose Smut. Beans and Peas can be tested for Ascochyta spp. and Botrytis spp.
It is vitally important that submitted samples are representative of the lots from which they are drawn, otherwise calculations based on test result information may be inaccurate and lead to costly errors. In the case of certified seed, trained officers of the Department of Agriculture using specified procedures conduct sampling. Official sample envelopes are supplied by applying to the Laboratory in writing. For privately submitted samples envelopes can be supplied by applying to the Laboratory.
Below are listed some of the more common species tested and the minimum recommended sample weights for submission. As a rough guide a mug full of barley seed weighs approximately 200g.
Minimum recommended sample weights:
| Barley: | Germination or Tetrazolium test 200g, Purity test 300g, Other Seed Search 1kg |
| Wheat: | Germination or Tetrazolium test 200g, Purity test 300g, Other Seed Search 1kg |
| Oats: | Germination or Tetrazolium test 200g, Purity test 300g, Other Seed Search 1kg |
| Ryegrass: | Germination 10g, Purity test 20g Other Seed Search 70g |
Fill a suitable container with the minimum sample weight, ensuring that the sample is representative of the lot.
- indicate the type of test or tests you want
- include the appropriate fee
- fill in your name, address and sample details
- post or deliver the sample to the address at the bottom of the page
The fees for tests are set on 1 July each year and are applicable for a twelve-month period. The appropriate fee should be forwarded with the sample. An advance arrangement can be made with the laboratory for payment on account.
Official Seed Testing Laboratory Price List Exc. VAT
Official Seed Testing Laboratory Pricelist
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