The seed laboratory is certified according to ISTA -standards(International Seed Testing Association). This means that the laboratory works according to internationally accepted methods and is authorized to give an ISTA-certificate with your sample.
If you would like to submit a sample for research, you can download the application forms Application for analysis and Instruction application for analysis.
We offer the following laboratory tests:
The moisture content of a sample is determined using the furnace method and an electronic method based on NIR-technology.
Our laboratory has its own cleaning department. In this section, small batches of seed can be cleaned with miniature cleaning machines, such as the clipper with upper sieve, ground sieve and wind and the trieur, with which a variety of impurities can be cleaned from the batch.
Prior to the process, swivel grasses and beemd grasses are rubbed to separate double seeds. On the upper sieve the coarse parts of the sample remain, often straw parts. On the ground sieve the finer parts remain, but this is often heavier material, such as sand or soil. The wind fraction blows the light chaaf out of the sample by air. The trieur fraction contains the round parts, often sand and weeds, which are removed from the clean seed by means of a trieur.
Prior to the purity test a working sample is created in the lab. This working sample is divided into 4 fractions: pure seed, harmless impurity (chafing, seed residues, sand, fungal structures), culture seeds and weed seeds. The other seeds are determined and named by their scientific Latin name. The fractions are weighed and the percentage is calculated.
For the count of other species we take a larger working sample, according to ISTA- or NAK-regulations.
Determination is done on the entire purity sample or on 8×100 seeds from the purified sample. Based on the sample, we calculate how much 1000 seeds weigh.
For variety testing, we use UV-light for oats and NAOH for wheat.
The germination test is always carried out on pure seed, which means the sample will always be purified in our laboratory.
Germination is determined under optimal conditions per seed type. We use ISTA-methods for this process. The number of normal seedlings determines the germination rate. The first count of the test indicates the germination rate, the last count indicates the final germination result. The number of counts varies per seed type.
The result of the germination test can be divided into the following categories:
We offer several options for germination research:
The special germination test determines the viability of the embryos in the seed. It gives an indication of whether the seed is viable and therefore has the possibility to grow into a seedling.
Seed health research tests your seed samples on fungi that may occur on the seed. These germ fungi can have a negative influence on the germination of the seed.
After all requested tests are completed, you receive the results. You will always receive a NAK-result. If requested, an ISTA-certificate can be received in 2 variations.
For the orange ISTA-certificate, the sampling has to be tested according to ISTA-methodology and you must have requested a germination test on 400 seeds. For the blue ISTA-certificate you may submit your own sample.
The process time of a sample is:
| Process | Process time*) | Remark |
| Sample receipt | Within 2 working days | All necessary data has to have been submitted correctly. |
| Moisture | Within 1 working day after sample has been received | |
| Cleaning | Within 5 working days after sample has been received | |
| Purity, special purity, 1000 kernel weight | Within 5 working days after sample has been received | Unless the sample has to be cleaned prior to testing. |
| Variety testing | Within 5 working days after sample has been received | |
| Start germination testing | Within 7 working days after sample has been received | Unless cleaning is needed before the testing can be carried out |
| Determine germination | Depending on the method, differs per type of seed | |
| Start seed health testing | Within 5 working days after sample has been received | |
| Determine seed health | Depending on the method, differs per type of seed |
*) In the months December and January the process time can be longer due to the testing of a large number of samples in these months.
If you question the results of the moisture content, the purity percentage or the germination rate, you have the option to request an appeal research. You can request an appeal within one month after we have sent you the test results.
The seed samples you send to the NAK must be of a certain minimum weight, as prescribed in Table 2C of Chapter 2 of the ISTA rules:
| Species |
Weight in grams |
| Cereals, peas, beans and sunflower |
1.000 |
| Seeds the size of or > wheat grain |
1.000 |
| Seeds < wheat grain |
500 |
| Linseed |
500 |
Minimum sample weight of 100 grams.
Specific questions regarding tests, samples, analytical issues and logistics can be forwarded to the Customer service department via 0031 (0)527-635350 or nak@nak.nl.
The NAK standard terms and conditions for the supply and services apply to our activities.
Our prices are based on regular samples. If analyzing takes more time than usual, for example because the cleaning takes more time, we will contact you about the additional costs.
The NAK standard terms and conditions for the supply and services apply to our activities.
See the pricelist.