Estimate When Testing Will Be Complete

Purity:

Purity test timing can be estimated using the Flow Report page on the Seed Lab website, which can be found at: https://seedlab.oregonstate.edu/seed-testing-services/testing-flow-repo…. A preview of the sample flow report is below. The current date is in orange text at the top of the page.

With the exception of rush and super-rush orders, samples are worked through purity in order by the date the sample was received at the lab. To estimate when your purity testing will finish, first look at the dates the purity unit is currently working on (line “A” above). Then look at the bottom of the page to see how many samples were completed by the purity unit on the previous day (line “B” above). Use this number to estimate how many days it will take for your testing to be completed based on the date your sample was received.

Using the sample flow report as an example, we see that on 12-20, the purity unit will complete all rushes, all samples from 12-14 & 12-15, and about a third of the samples from 12-16, based on a rate of 33 samples per day. Using this information, you can estimate that if your sample was received 12-16, it will be completed approximately 12-21 or 12-22, depending on where it is in line. Note that this is an estimate – the purity unit may work on more or less samples on any given day.

Germination:

To estimate when germination testing will be completed, first access your Online Services account at: https://w3.oscs.orst.edu/online/ Pins are case sensitive. Make sure to click the CAPTCHA check box that says “I am not a robot”

Scroll to section “C. Seed Test Information” and select option “5. View Viability Test Results”.

Enter your test number in the “Test Number” field, then click “Find Orders”. If you do not know your test number, see the “Finding your Test Number” guide, or click the underlined “Test Number” text to be rerouted to the Online Services Sample Information page where you can search for your test number by lot number or crop kind.

Select the type of viability test you’d like to see results for from the drop-down menu (e.g.: TZ or Germination). Click “Continue”.

A table will populate that looks similar to that shown below.

Find the “Date Planted” and “Pre-Chill” columns (indicated by the arrows above). Seeds are often pre-chilled to break dormancy; the amount of pre-chill time varies by species. After this period, seed is moved into a warm germination, and first counts are done after seven days. To estimate when germination will receive first count, add the pre-chill time, plus 7 days, to the planting date.

Using the above example, the seed was planted on 12-7. With a pre-chill time of 7 days and the standard 7 days in warm storage, the first count for this sample should be completed on 12-21.

Note the “Status” column on the bottom right. If this box reads “Not Determined Yet”, then germination testing has not been finalized, though a first count may be displayed. If the Status box has a determination listed, then germination testing has been finalized, and the percentage listed in the viability results table are final percentages. The tables below are an example of germination test results and a finalized status.