Manitoba Agronomists Conference 2016HOLLY 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 %

Canadian Methods and Procedure Defines growing conditions Defines analysis Defines reporting

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

Germination % =Normal Seedling %

All structures present.

All structures are intact.

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

Dead Seeds %

Moldy, decaying, blackened seeds

Embryo is watery

THESE WILL NEVER SPROUT!

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

Can the Cool Stress Test result be higher than the germination result?

A. TrueB. False

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

Cereal Crop Fungal Scan

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

THANK YOU!HOLLY GELECH @SEED_TESTING WWW.BIOVISION.CA TEXT:1-587-801-1313