b'This photo is from a comparison between diploid (2N) perennial ryegrass and tetraploid (4N) perennial ryegrass. Diploid perennials are typically lawn grasses as they are much finer and slower growing, where tetraploid types are typically valuable as forage due to their aggressive growth, broad leaves, and high protein content.PHOTO COURTESY OF UNIVERSAL SEED LLC.Many seed by units or by seed per acre, so purchasing thedemand seed quality proof to provide themselves with the best highest quality products ensures a return on their investment.potential of securing a successful harvest. Seed analysts can consult on a variety of tests that meet thePatin says its in a seed sellers best interest to provide tests. needs within a reasonable budget. Seed testing is not expensiveTest to show your seed has vigor and can withstand stressful compared to all of the other input costs such as fuel, fertilizer,conditions. Market your advantage. If you have more drought tol-seed treatment and fungicides. erant seed, test it and show that to potential customers:market it. Quinn Gillespie is the quality manager at Universal Seed LLC.,If your seed is more tolerant to cold, talk about what makes your which has locations in Oregon and Washington. In that role, sheseed a better investment, show the customer and market it.conducts purity, germination, in-process mill checks, moisturePerhaps Patin sums things up best: There are so many tests, tetrazolium testing, and research testing on organic andchoices on the market. Seed is expensive; growing a high-conventional seed treatment products. She also works with thequality crop has high input costs; and failure puts your customer AOSA-SCST (Association of Official Seed AnalystsSociety ofout of business, as well as can give your product a bad name. Commercial Seed Technologists) on the Communications andPerforming a few extra tests to show and demonstrate a high-Publications Committee, the Executive Board, and the Refereequality product can make all the difference in the world.Committee to help analysts conduct research for training and method validation studies for future rule proposals.What is slowing uptake of seed tests?She says vigor testing can provide invaluable informationAs inflation dominates the economy and prices of everything for growers and seed buyers who need to know not just whatfrom inputs to land continue to rise, some companies are choos-percentage of their seed is viable but how uniform of a stand theing to skip optional seed tests to reduce costs. Ultimately, this seed has the potential to produce, including whether or not thedecision hurts agriculture by allowing less-than-excellent seed seed can survive being planted early into cool soil, or how well itinto the market. may fare during a wave of hot weather.Gillespie says that the cost of testing is often a point of Seed quality testing protects everyone, from the growercontention, even though the actual cost of the seed test comes getting paid for their seed to the final consumer of the product,backed with thousands of hours of experience and proven she says.methods, the materials for which are not inexpensive. For those With growing understanding in the marketplace about thelooking to market internationally, the cost of testing is negligible value of seed testing, many seed customers are starting towhen considered against the alternative, she adds. 18/ SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER 2023'