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LDAF Seed Testing Laboratory

Have your seed inspected, sampled, and tested for germination, purity, quality, and more

Welcome to the Seed Testing Laboratory

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry Seed Laboratory is the official seed testing laboratory of Louisiana, an accredited member of the Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA). Our focus is on providing high-quality, affordable seed testing services for a wide range of customers from local to national. We provide AOSA purity, noxious weed, seed identification, germination, viability testing and more for agricultural, vegetable, and other crops.

Seed testing

We have offered seed testing services to our customers since 1930. Whether you’re a seed producer, seed dealer, farmer, rancher, or hobbyist home gardener, you can request laboratory testing on your seeds. Test results may be used to provide important information on purity and germination quality, as the basis for official seed labeling, and as a germination viability check for saved or carried-over seed.

LDAF's Seed Testing Laboratory is located at 5825 Florida Boulevard, Suite 3004, Baton Rouge, LA 70806.

For more information, see the list of services, fees and sample submission information below.

Seed sampling

The first and most important step in seed testing is obtaining a representative sample of the seed being tested. Incorrect sampling will most likely cause inaccurate test results. If the sample is not representative of the seed being tested, neither will the test results.

If you need your seed sampled, LDAF field agents can collect the sample for you. Samples will be collected following AOSA rules for seed sampling.

Sampling bulk seed

  • Collect equal portions throughout the seed area.

  • Probe bins the entire depth from different parts of the bin.

  • Randomly sampling the seed as it goes into or out of a bin or during seed movement or conditioning is usually the best sampling method.

Sampling from bags

  • Follow different paths for each probe or take handfuls from different areas within the bag.

  • In seed lots of 6 bags or less, sample all bags.

  • In lots of more than 6 bags, sample a minimum of 5 bags plus 10% of the number of bags in the lot.

  • It is not necessary to sample more than 30 bags from the seed lot, regardless of lot size.

Remember, heat, humidity and insects can and will affect the sample. Forward the sample to the laboratory as soon as possible after sampling. Failing to do so can result in inaccurate sample results.

Have your seeds tested