Recipient Organization
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
PO BOX 2275A
BROOKINGS,SD 57007
Performing Department
Plant Science
Non Technical Summary
Rapid, accurate, and reliable seed testing services are needed to meet the demands of the grain, horticultural, and vegetable seed providers and farmers in order to plant and harvest profitably. With an increasing world population, third party laboratories such as the SDSU Seed Testing Lab provide accurate, timely tests, develop new testing methods for anyone's use, train students (future leaders), and promote the agriculture economy our state and region. Many private seed testing labs would provide less than accurate tests without State labs (third party labs) to ensure accurate and independent analyses.The SDSU Seed Testing Lab is a state lab that helps clients and seed growers:1.Determine their seed quality (suitability for planting)2.Identify seed quality problems and their probable causes.3.Determine the need for seed drying, processing (conditioning), and other specific procedures.4.Establish quality and provide a basis for price and consumer discrimination in the marketplace.5.To determine if seed meets established quality standards (labeling).
Animal Health Component
80%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
10%
Applied
80%
Developmental
10%
Goals / Objectives
Overall GoalsA public seed testing laboratory is maintained by SDSU to test seed samples for farmers, seedsmen, South Dakota Crop Improvement Association, the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and anyone else needing unbiased and accurate seed testing services. The lab is equipped with modern testing equipment necessary to perform tests on all kinds of agricultural crops, vegetables, trees, grass, and flower seed. It is staffed with experienced, technically trained and accredited analysts and part-time assistants (mainly college students) who work under constant supervision. All analyses performed are made according to the AOSA Rules for Testing Seeds. The lab serves as the official seed testing lab for the state of South Dakota.The lab has a mission to conduct and further seed research, by collaborating with other programs within the university, as well as with outside entities. The lab also has a training mission of hiring and training college students and others in seed testing.Specific objectives of the SDSU Seed Testing Lab include:To offer unbiased, accurate and timely seed testing for the seed industry and farmers.Develop an HPLC test that detects a varietal mixture threshold of 5% - 10% in wheat and oats.Develop an HPLC varietal identification/verification method for rice, field pea, and chickpea varieties.Support plant breeding efforts and other research projects by providing training, supplies, and equipment for research involving germination and other areas within seed testing.Continue to participate in AOSA/SCST seed testing referees to identify improved seed testing methodology and add new species to the AOSA Rules for Testing Seeds handbook.Publish extension articles to educate and disseminate knowledge about seed testing and seed quality tests.Hire and train college students in the science of seed testing.
Project Methods
Objective 1: To offer unbiased, accurate and timely seed testing for the seed industry and farmersRoutine seed testing will continue to be provided according to the AOSA Rules for Testing Seeds (Volumes 1-4). Specific test methods and conditions are provided for germination, purity analysis, noxious seed examination, and other important seed parameters. Quality assurance testing (tests other than those above) are conducted according to association handbooks with recommended procedures when available.Objectives 2-5:Develop an HPLC test that detects a varietal mixture threshold of 5% - 10% in wheat and oats.Develop an HPLC varietal identification/verification method for rice, field pea, and chickpea varieties.Develop an HPLC varietal identification/verification method for rice, field pea, and chickpea varieties.Support plant breeding efforts and other research projects by providing training, supplies, and equipment for research involving germination and other areas within seed testing.Continue to participate in AOSA/SCST seed testing referees to identify improved seed testing methodology and add new species to the AOSA Rules for Testing Seeds handbook.We will continue to work with collaborators from other state/private seed testing labs to develop new seed testing methodologies. AOSA has method development guidelines for research and data collection required for new rule proposals into the AOSA Rules for Testing Seeds.We will assist graduate and undergraduate students in performing their seed related research projects. Some of these research projects may lay the groundwork for crop species not in the rules.HPLC test methods have been developed with direct result comparisons with more established electrophoretic methods used and referenced by AOSA and ISTA (International Seed Testing Association) literature.Objective 6: Publish extension articles to educate and disseminate knowledge about seed testing and seedWe will continue to take seed pictures for publications used in classroom/FFA/Crops Judging/Seed analyst trainings. We will continue to provide actual seed and germination media for K12 students for class/science fair projects as requested. We will continue to support the FFA State Agronomy Contest by providing test and training materials. The lab prepares 800-900 seed analysis samples for two national Collegiate Crops Judging Contests.Objective 7: Hire and train college students in the science of seed testingWe will continue to provide hands-on, part-time jobs for college students in agriculture. We will continue to provide classroom lectures and hands-on lab activities in relevant courses and in workshops in which we participate. The lab provides materials for 5-6 college courses each year taught by the lab manager and others. The lab continues to work with outside seed analysts as requested in furthering their development and training in seed testing.