How big a Seed Testing Lab should be, what are the precautions to be taken to establish a seed quality lab?

Question

We wish to establish a Seed Quality Control Laboratory. Please advise about the minimum requirement of lab area & equipment.

Answer 1

If you are going to test the seeds by planting them, you need a greenhouse with controlled condtions (temperature, humidity, light, watering and feeding schedule, etc) and some way to monitor those conditions. You need the materials to grow the plants (soil or soil-free medium, water, fertilizer, pots). You need whatever it is you will use to test the plants (scale, calipers, sugar tests for fruit, etc).

For testing the seeds alone, you probably need a microscale, particle-size testing sieves, and possible a light microscope to look at small seeds. You might need a refrigerator, freezer, and oven to test the seeds at various storage temperatures.

To find out more, try contacting you state or country's agriculture board.