Seed Analysis & Compliance

 The SC Department of Agriculture Seed Laboratory does germination and purity testing for citizens, farmers, businesses and wholesalers as prescribed by the South Carolina Seed Law, Seed Regulations, and the Noxious Weed Act. We also do special testing such as Round-up Ready, Seed Count per Pound, Accelerated Aging, etc. The South Carolina Seed Law requires seed to be tested and meet specific standards before it can be sold.

The SC Department of Agriculture has seed inspectors that pull regulatory samples to be tested by the Seed Laboratory to ensure that industry labels are in tolerance with state seed law standards.

The South Carolina Department of Agriculture does germination and purity testing for the SC Seed Certification Program which falls under the Department of Plant Industry at Clemson University.  Seed lots are required to meet rigid standards for germination and purity based on laboratory analyses conducted by the SCDA Seed Laboratory.

Seed testing is done to ensure high quality seed is being sold in South Carolina. We test seed to protect the consumer and to aid industry in the quality of seed they are selling or planting.

We are a member of the AOSA (Association of Official Seed Analysts) and the AASCO (Association of American Seed Control Officials). 

Seed Laboratory
803-737-9709

For more information, contact
Robin Plexico or David Wannamaker
 

Resources:

• South Carolina Seed Law
• Rules and Regulations
• South Carolina Noxious Weed Act
• South Carolina Seed License Application
• Seed Sampling/Handling Instructions
• Seed Test Request Form
• Amount of Seed Required for Testing Fact Sheet