Sample Information | Purity Analysis | Germination Analysis | Noxious Weeds | Other Tests | Comments
Once a sample is evaluated for the requested tests, a report is generated and mailed to you. You can also request a fax or email copy, by noting either when your sample is submitted. Valuable information is listed on the report.
Sample number is a lab number assigned by our lab when your sample is received. If you have questions about a report or sample, telling us this number will allow us to access the information about that sample more quickly.
Report date is the date we finished your sample. The month and year can be used to label seed. Remember that Kentucky Seed Law prohibits the sale of seed with a test date older than nine months.
The other printed information is taken from the information you submitted about your sample, including your address, the variety and kind of seed, the class of seed, seed treatments and the tests requested. If you notice mistakes in your name or mailing address, please contact the lab so we can correct your information.
Pure seed is the percentage of the kind and variety of seed named on the submitted sample. When two or more species are present, each kind in excess of 5% of the whole will appear on the report with the percentages of each found. A high percentage of pure seed is desirable.
Inert matter can be seed-like structures from both crop and weed plants and other materials which are not seed, such as dirt, chaff, stones, stems and leaves as well as nematode galls and fungus bodies such as ergot. Pieces of broken seeds one-half or less the original size are considered inert matter. The amount of inert matter present in the sample is listed as a percentage of the whole. A low percentage, preferably none, is desirable.
Crop seed are seeds of plants grown as crops other than the kind and variety named on the sample. Presence of these species is indicated as a percentage of the entire sample. The types of other crop seed found in the sample will be listed on the report with the number per pound found. A low percentage, perferably none, is desired.
Weed seed include seeds, bulblets or tubers of plants recognized as weeds by laws, official regulations, custom or general usage. Their presence is also expressed as a percentage. The types of weed seed found in the sample will be listed on the report with the number per pound that were found. Kentucky Seed Law prohibits the sale of seed containing more than 2% weed seed, therefore, a low percentage, preferably none, is desirable.
Noxious weed contaminants are listed along with the number per pound found in the sample. Absence of these species is desirable. List of noxious weeds.
Germination is the percent of the pure seed that germinate and, thus, are capable of producing a normal plant under favorable field conditions. Germination percent multiplied by the pure seed percentage reveals the potential of the seed lot to produce plants in the field.
Hard seed are expressed as a percent of the pure seed that are viable (alive) but do not germinate during the prescribed test period. Hard seeds usually do not absorb water due to seed coat impermeability, but most hard seeds will eventually germinate and produce a plant. Hard seeds extend germination over a longer period of time, which may or may not be an advantage. Hard seeds are undesirable when immediate germination is required. However, presence of hard seeds would be desirable when an extended germination period would increase the chances of a stand. The sum of the germination and hard seed percentages is the total value of the seed lot with respect to plant-producing potential. Hard seed are quite common in the Legume family (clovers, beans, etc...) the Mallow family (okra, cotton) and certain tree and shrub seeds.
Other tests, if requested, are listed followed by results. Other tests may include TZ, Endophyte, Seed Count or Moisture Content as well as other tests.
Comments are included, if appropriate.