Holly Hybrids, Spreckels and SESVanderhave strive to provide the best possible sugarbeet seed varieties for our growing regions.

Quality Testing

Heart of the Seed Business

The following are standard germination and stress tests to measure seed quality and vigor:

• Standard
• Soak
• Heat
• Cold

Listed below are the major steps for each test.

Step #1: Select Seed

Seed is tested for quality throughout the process. A vacuum head is used to randomly select seed for quality testing.

Step #2: Planter/Pleated Paper

The vacuum head is placed in the planter.  100 seeds are released and fall into separate pleats of the pleated paper - 2 seeds per pleat (fifty pleats total).

Step #3: Planting/Watering

The pleated paper is placed in an enclosed plastic box and 30ml of water is added to each pleat. There are two pleats with 100 seeds each per box.

Step #4: Germination & Stress Tests

The boxes are placed in controlled environmental conditions to determine quality and vigor. Standard and soak tests are performed to meet labeling requirements for commercial varieties based on the Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA) rules.

Heat and coldtests are conducted for internal quality control. The boxes are placed in growth chambers (germinators) and also evaluated for quality and vigor.

Step #6: Evaluation

Germination has occurred when the primary root emerges from the seed ball. The number of germinated seeds is accurately counted and recorded throughout the process based on AOSA guidelines.

Germination percentages are then calculated and logged into a database for comparative analysis. Reports are generated to assist in the evaluation of seed performance. In summary, standard germination and stress tests are essential in assuring that growers receive the highest quality sugarbeet seed available.

Goals of Quality Testing

• Enhance customer satisfaction
• Identify quality seed
• Identify seed vigor for specific regions
• Make seed processing more efficient
• Identify seed quality traits for research