Manitoba Agronomists Conference 2016 HOLLY GELECH @SEED_TESTING WWW.BIOVISION.CA TEXT:1-587-801-1313
1. Seed Quality in Manitoba2. Analysis Classification and Workbench Imagery 3. Conversation to Determine Seed Usability
Key Segments:
Seed Testing Origins Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) 1990s - Commencement of privatization Currently, CFIA maintains:
Expertise in seed identification
Accreditation for new labs & analysts
Canadian Seed Institute conducts on-site audits
Three types of testing‘CFIA Accredited’ testing Supports the Canada Seeds Act
(Germination/Purity/True Loose Smut)
‘Industry Accredited’ testing Crop Protection Company validation (Clearfield confirm test) Genetic Developers validation (Soybean event test) End Use validation (CDC Triffid event test)
‘Industry Standard’ testing Everything else International methods, literature review
Seed Quality Drivers In-crop disease – early and late Crop staging – uneven germination and multi stage tillers Frost Weather prior/during harvest – heavy dew, rain, snow Pre-harvest herbicide application Handling + Seed moisture Seed temperature + Seed moisture Drying of seed Storage conditions
2016 Seed Quality in Manitoba: Challenges - Cereals
In-crop disease *** Weathering & sprouting High moisture seed at time of harvest
Average Germination of Wheat by Crop Year
92.691.7
89.9
93.2
86.3
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Germination - Wheat
Average Germination of Barley by Crop Year
93.2
89.5
86.7
90.7
87.9
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Germination - Barley
GerminationObjective: To determine the maximum germination potential of the seed.
Classification Categories:Germination %Hard Seeds %Germ & Hard % (calc)Fresh Seeds%Abnormal Seedlings %Dead Seeds %
Why trust the germination test? Proficiency tested yearly Multiple replicates for each test Retests are automatic
Statistical rep tolerances not met
Different growing media may increase
the germination
Abnormal Seedling %:
Primary InfectionSeed borne fungus invades the seed & seedlings on the blotter
Renders the seed dead or
Browns roots and shoots
Abnormal Seedling %:
Frost DamageLeaf shredded or longitudinally split
Leaf spirally twisted
Grainy coleoptiles
Leaf is missing or halfway up the coleoptile
Severe frost damage = Dead embryos
Abnormal Seedling %:
Chemical Damage
Short, stubby roots
Coleoptile/shoot may be stunted in the blotter test
Spider like appearance
Seedlings fail to continue to elongate
Fresh Seeds % = Dormant Seeds %:
Seeds imbibe water, but fail to sprout
Remedial lab options:
Pre-Chill
KNO3
THESE SEEDS WILL LIKELY SPROUT AFTER VERNALIZATION
2016 Seed Quality in Manitoba: Challenges - Soybeans
NONE! Optimal seed moisture at harvest Moderate ambient temperature during combining activity
Average Germination of Soybean by Crop Year
82.7
87.4
9292.7
94.1
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Germination - Soybean
Germination:
Abnormal Seedling %:
Cotyledons:
Decayed or exhibit necrosis
Hypocotyl:
Malformed or exhibit open cracks along the conductive tissue
Epicotyl
Terminal bud is damage/missing
Less than 1 primary leaf
Roots:
Missing primary root
Weak secondary roots
Cool Stress Test
Cool growing conditions 7C
No other stresses
Classification:
Vigorous Seedlings %
Non Vigorous Seedlings %
Dead Seeds %
Results
Compare to germination
TRUE! In rare cases, this
is true when seed borne Fusarium graminearum infection is moderate to high
Germination Cool Stress Test7C for 3 days20C for 7 days
7C for 7 days20C for 5 days
Single Species: F. graminearum test (plated) – 200 seeds
F. graminearum test (DNA) – bulk grind
Multi Species: Fusarium species ID test (plated) – 200 seeds
5 common prairie species
Fungal Scan 12 common prairie fungus – 200 seeds
Fusarium Testing
Average F. graminearum infection in Wheat by Crop Year
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Avg. F. graminearum Infection
F. graminearum Infection
Understanding the Difference between Fusarium tests
F. Gram Plate Test200 seed plate test
Client = Seed Industry
Analysis = Microscopic spore presence in fungal colonies
Result = % Fusarium graminearum infection
FDK Visual TestGrain quality test
Client = Grain purchasers
Analysis = Visual kernel analysis for white chalky kernels
Result = % Fusarium damaged kernels in grain sample (by weight)
DON ppm TestGrain quality and end use test
Client = Miller, brewers, feed
Analysis = Biochemical analysis by instrumentation
Result = ppm Vomitoxin
*CGC Image
Seed Usability Step 1 – Establish the seed quality
Test in the fall (Germination, seed borne disease, trait requirements)
Step 2 – Decide initial suitability Germination:
Seed Act – Grade Table
Regional Quality
Fusarium: Provincial recommendations AB: Threshold = 0%
SK: Threshold = 2-3% (not established)
= 5% (established)
MB: Threshold = Use best quality available
Seed Usability
Step 3 – Determine storability risk & Monitor CGC Safe Storage Guidelines: Moisture % + Temperature + Storage Days
Understand crop uniformity
Fusarium spore longevity
Seed Usability Step 4 – Re-confirm the seed quality
Test in March
Germination, cool stress test, seed size
Step 5 – Protect the seed
Treated Seed: What we see in the lab Disease plate -
Suppression or control of the seed borne fungus for duration of the test
Germination blotter -
Reduction of fungal growth
Less abnormal seedlings, therefore increasing the germination %
Report of Analysis
Analyze each test result Review “Analyst Remarks” Be mindful of seed quality
parameters not listed on the report