Seed Services
SGS seed testing labs are accredited by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), monitored by the Canadian Seed Institute 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.
NEW! We are an INTERNATIONAL SEED TESTING ASSOCIATION (ISTA) lab and are now issuing Orange and Blue International Certificates! LEARN MORE HERE.
NEW! We are an AUTHORIZED EXPORTER lab and can service OECD Schemes.
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
4) Trait & GMO Events
Wheat: Clearfield Confirm Bioassay
Lentils: Clearfield Confirm Bioassay
Canola: Herbicide Bioassays, GMO Events
Soybean: Glyphosate Bioassay, Dicamba Bioassay, GMO Events
Corn: Glyphosate Bioassay, GMO Events
Flax: GMO Event