Tangent Seed Lab Int'l :: Available Tests

Available Tests

All testing is conducted according to the AOSA Rules for Testing Seed unless otherwise noted.

Test	Description
Purity	Determines the percentage of pure seed, inert matter, other crop seed, weed seed, and all-states noxious weed seed (except Hawaii and Undesirable Grass Seed).
Germination	Determines the percentage of normal seedlings (as well as hard or dormant seed or abnormal seedlings when applicable) under favorable conditions.
Fluorescence Test	Determines the percentage of Annual and Perennial ryegrass. Refer to OSU's explanation of fluorescence and the supplemental Grow-out test.
Ammonia Fluorescence Test	Distinguishes between Hard Fescue and Red Fescue. As per the AOSA Cultivar Purity Testing Handbook, only the fluorescence percentages will be reported.
All-States Noxious Weed Examination	Determines the presence and rate of Prohibited and Restricted noxious weeds for all states (excluding Hawaii and UGS). Specific states only, available when requested.
UGS Exam	Determines the presence and rate of Undesirable Grass Seeds. UGS are not included in the All-States Noxious Weed Exam. Undesirable Grass Seeds for the states Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. UGS are restricted in lawn and turf seeds for these states. Undesirable Grass Seeds include: Bentgrass (Creeping, Colonial, and Velvet) [Agrostis spp.], Bermudagrass [Cynodon spp.], Annual bluegrass [Poa annua], Rough bluegrass [Poa trivialis], Meadow fescue [Festuca pratensis], Tall fescue [Festuca arundinacea], Orchardgrass [Dactylis glomerata], Redtop [Agrostis gigantea], Timothy [Phleum pratense], and Velvetgrass [Holcus lanatus].
Crop and Weed Examination	Determines the presence and rate of all crops and weeds including noxious. Performed on the standard bulk amount or larger amount if requested.
Soil and/or Ergot Examination	Determines the percentage of soil and ergot in the sample.
Tetrazolium Test (TZ)	Chemical test for determining seed viability. Please see your specific shipping laws regarding the TZ test.
ISTA Purity and/or Germ	Purity and/or germ tested and reported according to the ISTA Rules for Testing Seed.
Canada Purity and/or Germ	Purity and/or germ tested and reported according to the Canadian Rules for Testing Seed and grade tables.
Sod Quality Examination	Determines whether seed sample meets Oregon SOD Quality Standards.
Pest and Disease Examination	"Lab exam of a representative portion for sclerotia (ergot), nematode galls, smut, live insects, insect damaged seed, and other potentially harmful organisms."
Seed Count	Gives the approximate number of seeds per pound.
Six Week Grow-out Test	Most commonly used for determining the annuality of fluorescing Ryegrass seedlings. Refer to OSU's explanation of fluorescence and the supplemental Grow-out test. [Can also be used for detection of endophyte].
Moisture Test	Determines the percentage of moisture content of seed. Must be submitted in a sealed plastic bag to be accurate.
Vigor/Cold Test	The cold test simulates early spring field conditions by providing high moisture and low temperatures. It is the oldest and most extensively used vigor test method in the U.S.
Endophyte Kit Test (100 Seeds)	Determines the percentage of endophyte in 100 seeds using a Neotyphodium Kit Test. At present, this test has only been validated for Tall fescue and Ryegrass. However, other kinds of seeds can also be tested.
Endophyte Kit Test (100 Tillers)	Determines the percentage of endophyte in 100 tillers using a Neotyphodium Kit Test. At present, this test has only been validated for Tall fescue and Ryegrass. However, other kinds of seeds can also be tested.
Ergot Alkaloid Elisa Assay	Tiller or seed test for detection of ergot alkaloids.
Copper Sulfate-Ammonia Test for Sweetclover	Chemical test to determine the percentage of Yellow sweetclover in a mix of Yellow & White sweetclover.
Fluorescence Test for Oats	Distinguishes between Yellow oat and White oat.
Phenol Test	For Barley, Bluegrass, Oats, Ryegrass, and Wheat: Used to determine cultivar purity by determining the color reaction in the seed. The results are then compared to an authentic check sample of known cultivar purity.