Seed Testing: Principles and Practices

Chapter 12. Seed Laboratory Management, Accreditation, and Quality Assurance

271 Seed Laboratory Management, Accreditation, and Quality Assurance A modern seed testing laboratory must have more than competent, well-trained analysts. Improved ergonomic equipment and innovative, efficient, and repeatable methods have become essential elements to deliver accurate, consistent, and timely results to the seed industry. All laboratories are confronted with ever-increasing pressures of delivering timely and accurate results to customers, while dealing with spiraling costs, government regulations and technical innovation. The seed industry, farmers, and other clientele are becoming more sophisticated, quality conscious, and demanding of better and faster services representing a wide range of different tests. This places ever-increasing pressures on seed laboratories far beyond those faced by past generations and demands more efficient, cost effective management that responds to dynamic customer needs. At the same time, it continues to require the dedication and professional competence that has always been the trademark of seed analysts and seed testing. The emergence of genetically modified seed brought more challenges to the seed testing world and demanded new tests to detect genetic traits. In addition, testing native species brings challenges to purity and germination analysts since many of these native species do not have rules for testing and are unique to specific areas of the country. In many cases, quick research on a small sample of the species in question can be helpful to determine the best germination or TZ procedure. The globalization of the seed industry made the quality assurance programs and accreditation systems a must for seed laboratories. Such accreditation facilitates the movement of seed across countries and gives assurance to the customers about the quality of the testing being conducted at any accredited laboratory. Successful seed laboratory management tries to improve seed laboratory practices through increasing the proficiency level of seed analysts, streamlining processes, improving equipment, and using efficient methods. This should result in delivering results in a timely fashion, increased efficiency, and keeping customers satisfied. This chapter focuses on the management aspects of modern seed laboratories. It addresses the managerial and technical aspects of planning for facilities, equipment, and laboratory design and layout as well as analyst certification and training programs. Attention to these concerns enables laboratories to keep up with advances in seed testing and be able to provide quality services needed by an ever changing seed industry. Furthermore, it covers the issue of quality assurance, which addresses the laboratory’s ability to produce repeatable, technically sound, timely results by methods that are consistent with good laboratory practices and seed testing rules. Finally, it addresses the issue of laboratory accreditation to assure a laboratory’s capability to provide quality services needed by the national and international seed industry. 12 272 Chapter 12 PrELIMInAry ConSIdErATIonS In general, management has to pay attention to the customer needs at the location of the laboratory and respond to such needs and maintain high quality service, as well as maintaining a balance between the expenses and the income of the laboratory. There are many preliminary factors that influence decisions about the laboratory and how it is managed. These include the kinds of seed tested, the nature of the laboratory (i.e., regulatory, service, or research oriented) and method of financial support. kinds of Seed Tested The kind of seed a laboratory will be required to test, the volume of samples, and the time frame during which the samples are received are all important considerations. For example, special attention to grass seed testing has to be paid in Oregon, where more than 10% of the U.S. grass seed production is located; and to corn in Iowa, where corn is the main crop. If a limited number of species is tested, the equipment needed may be less. For example, grasses generally require germinators with alternating temperatures and light, while large seeded legumes generally need only constant temperature and usually do not require light. Many species need to be pre-chilled to break dormancy, while others do not. The kind of seed tested will also influence decisions made in regard to purity testing, including the need for magnification and/or automated or mechanically assisted separation. These are all considerations that will influence management decisions based on the kinds of seed to be tested and service rendered. Laboratories should also have enough equipment, space, and experienced analysts to absorb the number of seed samples that a laboratory may receive during its busy season. Seasonal Workload Most seed laboratories experience a cyclical work year. Their busiest season for service testing generally occurs in late...