Seed Testing Services

Seed Services

SGS seed testing labs are accredited by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), monitored by Seeds Canada and our Sherwood Park lab maintains ISO 9001:2015 designation. Our accredited seed analysts are experts in cereal, pulse, canola, grass, legume, vegetable, flower, industrial hemp and native species germination, purity and disease testing.

We are an INTERNATIONAL SEED TESTING ASSOCIATION (ISTA) lab, authorized to issue Orange and Blue International Certificates, plus provide ISTA Sampler Training! LEARN MORE HERE.

We are an AUTHORIZED EXPORTER lab and can service OECD Schemes, including EU Grade Reports.

NEW! Drop off location in Guelph, ONT. FIND ADDRESS HERE.

Germination and Physical Purity We understand the global reach of seed testing and conduct analysis based on validated standards outlined by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA) and the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA).

Seed Pathology Our seed borne disease services range from targeted single species identification to comprehensive Fungal Scan quantification, with focus on pathogens that impact seedling emergence and development.

Seed Health and Viability We assess storability, stress and morphological characteristics for seed longevity and health.

Trait and GMO Events Our herbicide growth bioassays and GMO event PCR analysis, through our SGS partner lab, determines suitability and robustness.

1) Germination & Physical Purity

Standard Germination, Treated Germination, Custom Seed Treatment Application, Replicated Germination for Research.

Physical Purity, Pure Seed, Seed Grading, Seed Demotion, Seed Identification

Federal Noxious Weed Exam, APHIS

ISTA Purity %, ISTA Other Seed Determination, ISTA Germination

REGAL phytosanitary analysis for grain exports to all countries

SICA program for seed import

2) Seed Pathology

Cereals: Fusarium graminearum (plated/DNA), Fusarium species ID (5 species), Fungal Scan (all seed borne diseases), True Loose Smut, Cochliobolus sativus

Pulses: Ascochyta, Botrytis, Anthracnose, Sclerotinia, Aphanomyes (DNA – soil/tissue)

Canola: Blackleg (growth assay/DNA – seed/stem), Alternaria, Clubroot (DNA – PCR, qPCR – soil/tissue)

Corn: Fusarium graminearum

3) Seed Health & Viabilty

Cereals: Cool Stress Test (vigor), Tetrazolium, Kernel Weight, Moisture

Pulses: Cool Stress Test (vigor), Electrical Conductivity, Kernel Weight, Moisture

Canola: Cool Stress Test (vigor), Chlorophyll Content, Electrical Conductivity, Green Seed, Kernel weight, Seed Size Uniformity. Moisture, Cracked Seed Assessment

Soybean: Cold Germination, Seeds/lb, Moisture

Corn: Cold Test, Seed Count, Moisture

Hemp: Cool Stress Test, Viability (Germination), Tetrazolium, Kernel Weight, Moisture