WSDA Seed Lab: Strong Seeds Mean Tronger Crops

By Samira Guirguis

Located in Washington’s agricultural heart, the WSDA Seed Lab in Yakima plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the state’s seed industry. While Washington may not lead the nation in seed production like California, it is a key player in seed certification for wheat, especially in the Columbia Basin, where a variety of seeds—ranging from field corn to specialty grasses and vegetable and flower seeds—flourish.

The WSDA Seed Program tests and certifies seeds to make sure they are top-quality, supporting both local farmers and global markets with strong, genetically pure, and future-ready seeds. Certified seed is a value-added process to verify that plant or seed products meet certain established national standards.  It’s essential that people use high-quality seeds, so they can grow stronger plants that yield more crops and lead to a more successful harvest.

Paula Moore, WSDA Seed Program Manager said, "Each year, we receive thousands of seed samples, and it is our responsibility to make sure they are free from harmful or undesirable contaminants, diseases, or any other factors that could affect the quality of the seeds."

What does our Seed Lab do?

Our Seed Lab in Yakima Valley is the only one in Washington State. We serve a wide range of stakeholders, from small local farmers, to seed dealers, to large global exporters. These customers will send in seed samples to our lab, where our staff will perform a variety of tests to make sure the seeds are high-quality and meet national standards. Our job is to make sure only the best seeds are being planted.
The WSDA Seed Lab has four primary functions: 

1. Seed Testing: Ensures seeds are viable and capable of growing healthy plants.
2. Seed Certification: Guarantees genetic purity, offering consumer confidence in seed quality.
3. Phytosanitary Certificates for Export: Protects other regions from pests and diseases by certifying seeds are disease-free.
4. Federal Seed Act Compliance: Enforces proper seed labeling and sales standards, ensuring transparency and consistency in the industry.

"Every sample is different. Each day can range from five to 100 samples," said Moore. The top four seeds tested are turfgrass, field corn and beans.

Examples of different seed tests we perform

The seed certification process is comprehensive and involves several key stages. It starts with seed identification through fieldwork and tagging. At one station, a dormancy test is conducted on seeds such as Indian Ricegrass to determine their viability and dormancy status. The purity test station removes contaminants, while the germination test station assesses seed viability by calculating the percentage of seeds that successfully sprout. An ultraviolet light station helps identify seed varieties by highlighting color differences, ensuring accurate identification.

These are just a few of the essential tests performed at the lab daily to make sure seeds meet the highest standards of quality and viability. The Seed Lab's work provides farmers with valuable knowledge they can use to make informed planting decisions for optimal crop outcomes.

"When you buy seed, you want to ensure it's of high quality—both in terms of viability and purity. You don't want something with only 50% viability, because that means only half of it will grow. Instead, you should aim for seeds with a viability in the high 80s or 90s to ensure better growth and success,” said Nancy Jones, WSDA Seed Program Lab Supervisor.

Why seed certification labels matter

Having seeds tested and certified protects consumers. When a seed is labeled as certified, it provides information about its quality and makes sure you’re not purchasing subpar or contaminated products.
Without certification, there's a risk of buying seeds that haven’t been properly tested, leading to uncertain outcomes.

Quality seeds are the foundation for quality agriculture

Whether it's testing seeds for purity, ensuring compliance with federal regulations, or supporting international exports, the WSDA Seed Lab plays an essential role in maintaining the integrity of Washington's agriculture and making sure that every seed planted leads to a successful harvest.