No
matter how accurate the seed analysis, it reveals only the quality of the sample
submitted. It is important,
therefore, that certain procedures be followed in collecting seed samples for
testing purposes which most nearly represent the bulk of the seed in a given
lot.
A.
General procedures:
1.
Take equal portions from evenly distributed parts of the quantity of seed
to be sampled.
2.
For free-flowing seeds, use a probe or trier long enough to sample all
portions whether seed is in bags or bulk.
3.
For non-free-flowing seed, such as chaffy seeded grasses, thrust the hand
into the bulk and withdraw representative portions.
B.
Obtaining a representative sample for laboratory analysis:
1.
When more than one core or handful is drawn, follow different paths.
2.
For lots of one to six bags, obtain a sample from each bag.
3.
For lots of more than six bags, sample five bags plus at least 10% of the
number of bags in the lot. Regardless
of the lot size, it is not necessary to sample more than 30 bags.
For
example, seed lots consisting of 7, 100 and 400 bags, each would require 6, 15,
and 30 bags to be sampled, respectively.
For
bulk seed, a composite sample may be obtained by taking many cores or handfuls
as if the same quantity of seed were in bags of an ordinary size.
Take samples from well distributed points throughout the bulk.
4.
For samples taken during cleaning/conditioning sub samples should be
taken periodically from the clean seed stream and combined to form a composite
sample.
When certified seed is cleaned by the grower and not conditioned by an Approved Conditioner, the grower must submit a representative sample of each cleaned lot of seed to the OCIA Seed Testing Laboratory for purity analysis on treated seed. Therefore, if seed is to be treated prior to marketing, both treated and untreated samples must be submitted. The treated sample must be labeled "TREATED" and must show the kind of chemical treatment used.
Form
C "Request for Testing and Certificate of Inspection" must accompany
all seed samples submitted to the Association for testing.
The
grower may order sample bags, at no cost, from the Association for submitting
seed samples for testing.
Crop
kind and amount of seed to submit for testing is as follows:
Weeping lovegrass,
bluestem, bermudagrass, other grass seed..…….…½ pound
Alfalfa, millet, peanut
(treated)…………………………………………………1 pound
Peanut
(untreated)…………………………………………………………...1
½ pound
Cotton, cowpea, guar,
mungbean, okra, small grains, sorghum, soybean.2 pound
Mail your sample to:
Oklahoma Crop Improvement Association
Attn: Lab
2902 W 6th Ave.
Stillwater OK 74074-1555