2. SEED SAMPLING - SeedNet

of rcquisitc weight or more is obtained either by repecited halving or by abstracting
and subsequently combining small random portions.
HES])ATCIIOF SURMITfEH SAMI)LE
Each submitted sample should be sealed and marked in a way that establishes
connection between seed lot and the seed sample. The label should contain all the
necessary detail such as variety, class of seed, quantity in the lot, to whom it
belongs. name of producer, seed treatment, date of hmvesting and threshing, if
known, sampled by, date of sampling and the kind of tests required.
After marking the sample. it should be packed so as to preyent damage during
transit. For germination tests it should be packed prererably in cloth bag. For
detcrminat ion of moisture content it should be packed separately in moisture-proof
containers from which as much air as possible has been excluded.
Samples should be despatched by the sampler to the seed testing laboratory
without delay.
SAMPLING IN SEED TESTING LABORATORY
The seed samples received in the laboratory (submitted samples*) are required
to be reduced to obtain Working sampJes for carrying out various tests. A number
of methods arc available for obtaining Working samples.
1. Mechanicaldivider method
This method is suitable for all kinds of seeds, except the extremely chaffy
types. In this method. the sample is mechanically divided by theseed dividers (the
available lypcs arc Bocrner and Gamet Seed ~eividers). the apparatus divides a
sample passedthrough it intotwoapproximately equal parts.The submitted sample
can be mixed by passing it through the divider, recombining the two parts and'
passing the whole sample through a second timc, and similarly, a third timc, if
* When a submittcd sample smaller than prescribed weight is received in the seed laboratory
the sampler may be notified aa;ordingly and analysis withheld until sufficicnt seed is
received. However, in the case of very expensive seed, the analysis may be completed to the
extent possible and the following statement inserted on the certificate "TIlc sample submitted
weighed only and is not in aa;ordance with the size prescribed in the Rules for Seed
Testing".
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