Potato Testing

For over 36 years, 20/20 Seed Labs Inc. has led the way in seed, soil and plant testing as Canada’s first accredited laboratory.

With a team of experts in Disease Diagnostics, DNA analysis, Molecular Diagnostics, Seed and Soil quality backed by multiple national and international accreditations, we play a vital role in ensuring a cornerstone of human nutrition remains safe, abundant and accessible for generations to come.

We’re proud to have earned CFIA Accreditations to bring you a Potato Testing Program headed up out of our Nisku, Alberta laboratory Molecular Diagnostics department led by Dr. Kimberly Kenward Research & Development Manager, and Alex Playdon Molecular Diagnostics Supervisor.

By ensuring potatoes are healthy, disease-free, and meet the highest regulatory standards, we will be safeguarding more than just a crop – we will be protecting a critical part of the global food system.

We now proudly offer:

RT-PCR for Potato Viruses S, X, Y, A and PLRV

ELISA and IMF for Bacterial Ring Rot (BRR)

ELISA for Potato Viruses (S, X, Y, A, M, PotLV and PLRV)

Let’s work together to reduce harmful pathogen spread, learn how to submit samples here.

BRR Testing Toolkit

10mm melon baller for consistent coring.

Clean labeled bags (ziplock or paper).

Permanent market for labelling your bags.

Cooler for storage.

BRR Sample Guidelines

Protecting Canadian Seed Potatoes with Accredited Testing

Best Practices

Field (crop/lot) size	Sample size
Less Than 0.025 ha	1%; minimum 5, maximum 50 tubers
0.025 ha to less than 1.000 ha	100 stems or tubers
1.000 ha to less than 4.000 ha	200 stems or tubers
4.000 ha to less than 40.00 ha	400 stems or tubers
40.00 ha or more	800 stems or tubers

It is always best to submit 10% more than you would like tested in case some individuals can’t be tested.

BRR Testing

Tubers or cores.

Cores should be clean, dried and re-fridgerated prior to sending.

See BRR Testing Toolkit details.

Virus Testing

ELISA Tubers, sprouts, leaves or microplantlets.

RT-PCR Tubers only.

How to Take a Core From a Tuber
How to Take a Core From a Tuber

Protecting Canadian Seed Potatoes with Accredited Testing
1. Locate the stolon attachment site on the tuber.
2. Extract a conical or semi-spherical core, using a 10mm melon baller for consistent sizing.
3. Ensure the core includes as much of the vascular ring as possible.
4. Core weight, should be approximately 0.5 to 1.0g.