Seed Testing Laboratory
The core activity of the Seed Testing Laboratory is the analysis of seed quality encompassing testing of analytical purity, germination, moisture content, 1000 seed weight, seed health, vigour (cold test), vitality, genetic purity and verification of maize genotypes. The laboratory is accredited according to the standard ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and the ISTA accreditation standard for sampling and testing seed, by the Accreditation Body of Serbia and the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) respectively, for sampling and testing quality seeds of agriculture, vegetable, flower, herbs and medicinal plant species.
Laboratory activities of seed sampling and testing are primarily aimed to comply with requirements of the accreditation standards, prescribed testing methods (ISTA rules for international trade and the Rulebook on the Quality of Seed of Agricultural Plants for National Trade), as well as needs and requirements of laboratory customers. The laboratory operation principles are based on impartiality, confidentiality and reliability of testing results.
The staff expertise is reflected in their engagement at audit teams of the ISTA and Accreditation Body of Serbia, as well as participation in expert bodies. In addition to its core activity, the laboratory is engaged in research projects of the Institute and ISTA, resulting in national and international publications. The laboratory also organises expert courses for local and regional participants in the area of sampling, seed quality testing and quality management system, as well as introduction of students to the basics of seed processing and testing the quality.
