Seed Testing Services

Seed Testing

At 20/20 Seed Labs, seed testing is the foundation of confident crop decisions.

As Canada’s first fully accredited seed testing laboratory, we deliver trusted, high-quality results that give growers and seed professionals a clear understanding of seed performance before it goes in the ground.

From germination and vigour, to disease diagnostics and purity, our testing provides the insights needed to reduce risk, protect yield potential, and support stronger outcomes from planting through to harvest.

Lab Services & Packages

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Cereals

Pulses

Canola & Oil Seeds

Other crops, vegetables, grasses

Seed Import & Export

Soil testing

Herbicide Resistance Testing

Molecular Diagnostics

Cereals View the available testing packages and options below!

Seed Quality Testing
- Bushel Weight
  
  A measure of grain density determined by weighing a known volume of grain.
- Germination
  
  Determines the potential of the seed to develop into a plant under optimum conditions, analyzed according to Canadian standards.
- Malt Germination
  
  Germination test to determine suitability of barley seed for malting.
- Moisture & Protein
  
  % of moisture and the protein content in seed. Moisture and protein can also be ordered as individual tests.
- Thousand Kernel Weight (TKW)
  
  The weight of 1000 seeds. Results are reported in grams.
- Vigour
  
  Vigour testing for cereals uses a Cold Stress Test. This determines the performance of the seed under stress such as cool, spring planting conditions.
- Tetrazolium chloride (TZ)
  
  Rapid tetrazolium viability is a quick test that uses a red dye to identify live, respiring seed tissues—providing fast insight into seed viability when time is critical.
Disease Diagnostics
- Bacterial Leaf Tissue Diagnosis
  
  Diagnosis of potential pathogenic causal agent(s). Can be completed on seed or plant specimens.
- Ergot
  
  # of ergot bodies in the sample.
- Fungal Screen™
  
  The Fungal Screen™ tests for 10 different seed-borne pathogens on seed from cereal crops. This includes pathogenic fungi, saprophytes, and storage moulds.
- Fusarium graminearum (Plate Method)
  
  Detection of only Fusarium graminearum systemic infection for various crops or crop residue through the use of conventional plating methods. This is the recommended method of testing in production areas where Fusarium graminearum is well established. Results are reported as a % seed infection.
- Fusarium spp. (Plate Method)
  
  Detection of Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium spp. systemic infection for various crops or crop residue through the use of conventional plating methods.
- Smut
  
  % of True Loose Smut infected seed.
Cereal Testing Packages
- Professional Package
  
  Package includes Germination, Vigour, TKW, and Fungal Screen™ tests for cereal crops.
- Premium Package
  
  Package includes Germination, Vigour, TKW, and Fusarium graminearum (DNA or Plate Method) tests for cereal crops.
- Standard Package
  
  Package includes Germination, Vigour, Fusarium graminearum (DNA or Plate Method) tests for cereal crops.
- Basic Package
  
  Package includes Germination and Fusarium graminearum (DNA or Plate Method) tests for cereal crops.
DNA Testing
- Fusarium graminearum (DNA Method)
  
  Detection of Fusarium graminearum surface contamination and systemic seed infection for cereal crops through the use of DNA based methods. This is the recommended method of testing in production areas where Fusarium graminearum has not established yet. Results are reported as “Detected” or “Not Detected”.
- Midge Refuge Test
  
  A midge tolerance test for reporting of % tolerant and % refuge in a submitted seed sample.
- Varietal Identification
  
  Varietal Identification for common wheat, durum wheat, and barley completed by DNA based methods.
- Vomitoxin
  
  Vomitoxin determination in a grain sample.
- GM Testing
  
  Learn More.
- Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus
  
  Testing Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus on oats.
Seed Purity
- Purity
  
  Weed ID and classification, other crop seeds, and inert matter is analyzed according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
- % Pure Seed
  
  % of pure seed, weed seeds, other crops and inert matter analyzed according to Canadian Standards.
- Federal Noxious Weed Check
  
  FNW test facilitates exports into the United States of America by confirming the absence of weeds listed on the Federal Noxious Weeds List.
  
  We help protect the quality and marketability of your seed by testing for the presence of federal noxious weeds—invasive species that are strictly regulated due to their potential to harm crops and ecosystems.
  
  Our process begins with a detailed purity analysis, where trained analysts examine your seed sample under a microscope to identify any prohibited weed seeds. For hard-to-distinguish species, we offer DNA-based diagnostics to confirm identity with precision.

Pulses View the available testing packages and options below!

Seed Quality Testing
- Germination
  
  Determination of the potential of the seed to develop into a plant under optimum conditions for pulse crops, analyzed according to Canadian standards.
- Vigour
  
  Our accredited seed analysts will select which vigour method to use based on crop type and result reporting. Vigour testing is used to determine the performance of the seed under stress, such as cool spring planting conditions.
- Thousand Kernel Weight (TKW)
  
  The weight of 1000 seeds. Results are reported in grams.
- Bushel Weight
  
  A measure of crop density determined by weighing a known sample volume.
- Moisture & Protein
  
  % of moisture and the protein content in seed. Moisture and protein can also be ordered as individual tests.
- Rhizobium
  
  Determines viable Rhizobium in an inoculant sample or on inoculated seed.
- Tetrazolium chloride (TZ)
  
  Rapid tetrazolium viability is a quick test that uses a red dye to identify live, respiring seed tissues—providing fast insight into seed viability when time is critical.
Disease Diagnostics
- Anthracnose
  
  % of Anthracnose infected seed for pulse crops.
- Ascochyta
  
  % of Ascochyta infected seed for pulse crops.
- Botrytis
  
  % of Botrytis infected seed for pulse crops.
- Complete Disease Diagnostic
  
  The Complete Disease Diagnostic tests for seed-borne pathogens on seed from pulse crops. This includes Ascochyta, Grey Mold (Botrytis cinerea), White Mold (Sclerotinia spp.), Anthracnose (Colletotrichum spp.), Root/Foot Rot (Fusarium spp.) , and Stemphylium botryosum.
- Pulse Root Rot
  
  Detection of pea root rot diseases on plant samples.
- Sclerotinia
  
  % of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum infected seed for pulse crops.
Pulse Testing Packages
- Professional Package
  
  Package includes Gemination, Vigour, TKW, and a Complete Disease Diagnostic (Ascochyta included) test for pulse crops.
- Premium Package
  
  Package includes Gemination, Vigour, TKW, and Ascochyta tests for pulse crops.
- Basic Package
  
  Package includes Germination and Ascochyta tests for pulse crops.
- Standard Package
  
  Package includes Germination, Vigour, and TKW tests for pulse crops.
DNA Testing
- Aphanomyces
  
  Aphanomyces euteiches testing on plant specimens and soil.
Seed Purity
- Purity
  
  Weed ID and classification, other crop seeds, and inert matter is analyzed according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
- % Pure Seed
  
  % of pure seed, weed seeds, other crops and inert matter analyzed according to Canadian Standards.
- Federal Noxious Weed Check
  
  FNW test facilitates exports into the United States of America by confirming the absence of weeds listed on the Federal Noxious Weeds List.
  
  We help protect the quality and marketability of your seed by testing for the presence of federal noxious weeds—invasive species that are strictly regulated due to their potential to harm crops and ecosystems.
  
  Our process begins with a detailed purity analysis, where trained analysts examine your seed sample under a microscope to identify any prohibited weed seeds. For hard-to-distinguish species, we offer DNA-based diagnostics to confirm identity with precision.

Canola & Oilseeds View the available testing packages and options below!

Seed Quality Testing
- Germination
  
  Determines the potential of the seed to develop into a plant under optimum conditions, analyzed according to Canadian standards.
- Vigour
  
  Our accredited seed analysts will select which vigour method to use based on crop type and result reporting. Vigour testing is used to determine the performance of the seed under stress, such as cool spring planting conditions.
- Thousand Kernel Weight (TKW)
  
  The weight of 1000 seeds. Results are reported in grams.
- Canola Mechanical Damage Test
  
  Determines the degree and type of mechanical damage to the seed coat for canola.
- Green Seed
  
  % of canloa and oilseeds determined to be green when crushed.
- Moisture & Protein
  
  % of moisture and the protein content in seed. Moisture and protein can also be ordered as individual tests.
- Tetrazolium chloride (TZ)
  
  Rapid tetrazolium viability is a quick test that uses a red dye to identify live, respiring seed tissues—providing fast insight into seed viability when time is critical.
Disease Diagnostics
- Alternaria
  
  % of canola seed infected with Alternaria.
- Blackleg
  
  % of canola seed infected with a virulent Blackleg (Leptosphaeria maculans) strain.
- Sclerotia Check
  
  Determines the number of sclerotia bodies in a sample.
DNA Testing
- Blackleg Pathotyping Test
  
  Fine mapping of blackleg (Leptosphaeria maculans) avirulent genes. Results aid in selecting the correct Blackleg resistance variety of canola.
- Clubroot Qualitative Test
  
  Clubroot testing on soil and Brassica roots. 1/2 cup of soil is analyzed, which is the highest amount of soil tested in the industry using DNA techniques. This enhanced Clubroot test was developed to provide greater assurance of results and is only available at 20/20 Seed Labs Inc.
Seed Purity
- Purity
  
  Weed ID and classification, other crop seeds, and inert matter is analyzed according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
- % Pure Seed
  
  % of pure seed, weed seeds, other crops and inert matter analyzed according to Canadian Standards.
- Federal Noxious Weed Check
  
  FNW test facilitates exports into the United States of America by confirming the absence of weeds listed on the Federal Noxious Weeds List.
  
  We help protect the quality and marketability of your seed by testing for the presence of federal noxious weeds—invasive species that are strictly regulated due to their potential to harm crops and ecosystems.
  
  Our process begins with a detailed purity analysis, where trained analysts examine your seed sample under a microscope to identify any prohibited weed seeds. For hard-to-distinguish species, we offer DNA-based diagnostics to confirm identity with precision.

Other Crops, Vegetables, Grasses View the available testing packages and options below!

Seed Quality Testing
- Germination
  
  Determination of the potential of the seed to develop into a plant under optimum conditions for pulse crops, analyzed according to Canadian standards.
- Vigour
  
  Our accredited seed analysts will select which vigour method to use based on crop type and result reporting. Vigour testing is used to determine the performance of the seed under stress, such as cool spring planting conditions.
- Flax Cold Germ
  
  Direct vigour test for flax.
- Thousand Kernel Weight (TKW)
  
  The weight of 1000 seeds. Results are reported in grams.
- Bushel Weight
  
  A measure of crop density determined by weighing a known sample volume.
- Tetrazolium chloride (TZ)
  
  Rapid tetrazolium viability is a quick test that uses a red dye to identify live, respiring seed tissues—providing fast insight into seed viability when time is critical.
Disease Diagnostics
DNA Testing
- Flax Triffid
  
  Detection of the Event FP967 in Flax (CDC Triffid variety) through the use of DNA based methods.
Seed Purity
- Purity
  
  Weed ID and classification, other crop seeds, and inert matter is analyzed according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
- % Pure Seed
  
  % of pure seed, weed seeds, other crops and inert matter analyzed according to Canadian Standards.
- Federal Noxious Weed Check
  
  FNW test facilitates exports into the United States of America by confirming the absence of weeds listed on the Federal Noxious Weeds List.
  
  We help protect the quality and marketability of your seed by testing for the presence of federal noxious weeds—invasive species that are strictly regulated due to their potential to harm crops and ecosystems.
  
  Our process begins with a detailed purity analysis, where trained analysts examine your seed sample under a microscope to identify any prohibited weed seeds. For hard-to-distinguish species, we offer DNA-based diagnostics to confirm identity with precision.

Soil Testing View the available testing packages and options below!

Soil Tests
- Clubroot Semi-Quantitive Test
  
  Clubroot testing on soil. Results are reported as Detected, Trace Detected, or Not Detected and are associated with a estimated spore level. Using a smaller sample size of 5 grams, this test can be completed within 3 business days of receipt.
- Aphanomyces
  
  Aphanomyces euteiches testing on soil samples.

Herbicide Resistance Testing View the available testing options below!

Through our greenhouse bioassays we are able to screen common weeds and weed plant tissue with resistance to herbicides including wild oat (Group 1, 2, 14 and 15), kochia (Group 2, 4, and 14) and water hemp (Groups 2 and 14) as well as amaranth (pigweed) and foxtail barley.

Management
Applying herbicides to plants with the right staging is an effective way of managing resistance.
- Farmers need to actively scout their fields to determine the best stage to spray as herbicides are more effective on small weeds.
- Rotate herbicide groups. Constantly exposing weeds on your farm to one herbicide group or mode of action (MOA) increases the risk of developing resistance.
- Use the right herbicide at the recommended rate.
- Cutting the rates reduces the efficacy of the herbicides and increases the weed seed return to the soil seed bank. The effect of this will be noticed in subsequent seasons as the seeds int e soil begin to emerge.
- Test weeds in your field at the end of the season to determine which herbicide groups will be effective in controlling the weeds the next season.
Submitting Samples To The Lab For Testing
- Print the Herbicide Resistance Seed Sample Submission Form.
- Please collect up to 2000 mature seeds only as immature seeds are difficult to germinate.
- Air dry seeds at room temperature for a day or two before shipping.
- Ship only dry seeds packaged in a paper envelope (do not ship seeds in Ziplock bags as seeds may become moldy if not fully dry).
- Send only pure seed (no chaff). Samples that are submitted with chaff that require cleaning will attract an additional rough charge.
- Indicate the herbicide (s) you want the sample to be tested against on your sample submission form.

Herbicide Resistance Sample Submission Forms

Seed Testing Services

Seed Testing

At 20/20 Seed Labs, seed testing is the foundation of confident crop decisions.

Lab Services & Packages

Cereals View the available testing packages and options below!

Pulses View the available testing packages and options below!

Canola & Oilseeds View the available testing packages and options below!

Other Crops, Vegetables, Grasses View the available testing packages and options below!

Soil Testing View the available testing packages and options below!

Herbicide Resistance Testing View the available testing options below!

20/20 Seed Labs Inc. is a member of the following organizations:

20/20 Seed Labs Inc. Awards:

How to Submit a Sampleto 20/20 Seed Labs Inc.

Take a Representative Sample

Select Your Testing and Enter Your Sample Details

Ship or Drop Off Your Sample To Our Lab

STEP 1: Take a Representative Sample

STEP 2: Select Your Testing and Enter Your Sample Details

STEP 3: Ship or Drop Off Your Sample to Our Lab

Mailing Addresses

After Hours Drop Off

Sample Drop Off Locations

Agro Plus Inc.

Down to Earth Labs

Independent Crop Inputs Inc.

Requirements for Submitting Samples

STEP 3: Ship or Drop Off Your Sample to Our Lab

Mailing Addresses

After Hours Drop Off

Sample Drop Off Locations

Agro Plus Inc.

Down to Earth Labs

Independent Crop Inputs Inc.

Requirements for Submitting Samples

Bushel Plus

Canadian Seed Growers Association

Protein Industries Canada

Alberta British Columbia Seed Growers Association

Seeds Canada

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

Midge Tolerant Wheat Stewardship Team

Seedtrakr

Spornado

Advancing Women in Agriculture and Food Conference (AWC):

AWC West 2026 March 8,9, 10 2026

Request a Crop Inspection Quote

Joel Wenaus

Battle River Research Association

How to Submit a Sample
to 20/20 Seed Labs Inc.