Ever heard the song “We’re from Iowa … Iowa”? It ends with “That’s where the tall corn grows”. Then there is an alternative Iowa song and it starts out with “Corn, corn, corn, corn … look a tree!”. Corn and soybeans definitely are the major crops of Iowa (even though there are quite a bit of oats, rye and other crops grown). As expected, the ISU Seed Lab tests a lot of corn and soybean seed samples. What might not be expected is that we’ve tested more than 300 species of seeds, including cactus, palm trees and tobacco. Would it surprise you that we test quite a bit of cotton and peanuts each year?
Along with the variety of seed species we offer a wide variety of tests. Testing categories include purity, germination, vigor, health, biotech trait detection & confirmation and other tests. Within the categories are many options. For instance, vigor tests offered include cold, saturated cold, accelerated aging, cool test on cotton seed, electrical conductivity, tetrazolium and more. Health testing has an even wider variety of methods in detecting and/or quantifying fungi, bacteria, viruses, viroids, nematodes, and smuts (more than 400 pathogen/seed species combinations).
Recently we completed three weeks of the long-running Seed Analyst Short Course: Beginner Purity, Germination and Advanced Purity. These were the first workshops since COVID swept around the world, except for hosting the week-long SCST Genetic Testing Workshop in early March. The sessions were well attended while matching attendance to COVID safety and facilitating one-to-one training. Session evaluations confirmed that attendees enjoyed learning as much as instructors enjoyed interacting with attendees. We were pleased to offer the AOSA & SCST consolidated purity and germination exams during those three weeks as we safely did twice during the two years COVID reduced opportunities.
The Iowa State University Seed Science building is one of the best equipped facilities in the world. From having multiple conference rooms to well-equipped PCR lab to a beautiful courtyard. A couple of years ago four growth rooms were added which reduced reliance on other greenhouses on campus plus facilitated the type of grow outs we offer. Instead of the glass or acrylic panels of a greenhouse we have a beautiful red brick addition lit by modern lighting which offers the necessary wavelengths for optimum plant growth. The most recent update is remodeling the Seed Lab Customer Care office. It is terrific that the improved ergonomics will enhance the already outstanding customer service the Seed Lab prides itself in. Although the Seed Lab is big enough to offer a wide variety of tests on a wide variety of seed species, our emphasis is offering personal, friendly service.
Best wishes for a happy, relaxing and safe summer!
