This is the time of year when seed quality discussions tend to begin. The NCDA & CS Cotton Seed Quality Testing Program continues to serve as a valuable tool for growers. The number of low quality seed lots or stop sales have historically been very low and infrequent, but if planted, they could have impacted several thousand acres; hence the value we have seen from having this program. In some years, seed quality is what it is. We are working with a biological product, and some weather parameters in areas of the country where planting seed is grown, are beyond anyone’s control. Therefore, in some years, we must work with what we have. And in most cases, we can easily do just that, by paying attention to seed quality and adjusting planting practices to improve the likelihood of achieving acceptable to optimal stands. An example of this would be a seed lot that is high or acceptable in terms of warm germ, but has questionable cool germ. Seed such as this needs to be planted in ideal conditions (50+ DD60’s within the first 5 days of planting into adequate moisture), or perhaps planted shallower, compared to a different seed lot that has both high warm and cool germ, that can be planted when conditions are marginal or adequate if we have to. When possible, growers should first attempt to plant in ideal conditions, regardless of seed quality. When it is absolutely necessary to plant into adequate or marginal conditions, cool germ and other things come into play. Growers should never plant into poor conditions, regardless of seed quality. Knowing both the warm and cool germ will help growers to make the best planting decisions possible, but it is also important to note that unless seed doesn’t meet the minimum standards for warm germ, growers should not shop around for high cool germ seed. The reason for this is that as long as warm germ is acceptable, in most years, we can work around lower cool germ. Keep in mind that the cool test is widely variable and not nearly as repeatable as the warm test. Nor does the cool test represent or predict actual emergence in cool conditions. Therefore, we need to work with what we have as long as warm germ is acceptable.

Don’t Assume Your Seed Will Automatically Be Tested: Proudly, our NCDA&CS Inspectors work very hard and diligently to ensure that this program runs smoothly, not to impede downstream seed treatment and ultimately, planting, all the while testing as many seed lots that they are able to intercept as they enter NC. These inspectors can only test seed that they know about, through prior notifications from each of the seed companies (as the program was designed and originally intended), seed that they just happen to find during their inspections at various retailer warehouses, or from notifications from growers. Given that this program remains voluntary/non-mandatory, it is YOUR responsibility, as the grower and end-user, to ensure your seed is tested well in advance of planting, if you wish to do so. This may mean that you, as the grower, may need to collect and mail in seed samples on your own, albeit they will be Service samples at that point. In these cases, there is a form to fill out, and you must intentionally indicate that you want both warm and cool germ tests conducted, assuming you want both test results.

Our observations over the past few years suggests that many growers: 1. assumed that all seed lots, including the seed they purchased, would have been tested by NCDA&CS at some point, and therefore they didn’t need to do anything unless they experienced emergence problems, and 2. assumed that NCDA results for warm and cool germ would be the same or similar to the values provided by their seed company or dealer (which are commonly done internally or at Mississippi State’s Seed Lab). Both are false assumptions. In the large majority of cases over the past few years, if the seed company values for warm and cool germ were good, NCDA test results agreed. Occasionally, there are discrepancies, and retests are usually conducted. If the retest aligns with the previous test, these are the situations that matter, especially if seed quality is poorer than advertised or labeled. Therefore, do NOT assume that seed company results for warm/cool germ are equal to that of NCDA. We are in NO way suggesting that the seed company’s, or the Mississippi State’s, Seed Lab results for warm and cool germ are misleading or false, but rather the NCDA tests are likely more recent, or at the least, tested closer to planting time, after being stored and transported over a span of time. Ultimately tests conducted elsewhere have no merit in any seed complaints or arbitration, nor are the results guaranteed to agree with the more recent NCDA tests.

Seed testing also requires additional time if your seed is to be treated downstream, and/or if you want the NCDA test results prior to planting, which is the only way to make appropriate planting decisions. Growers can also opt to have seed tested both before and/or after treatment, but be prepared to submit post-treatment samples on your own (see below) as post-treatment samples are unofficial service samples. To ensure your seed is tested, timely communication with your dealer/retailer and the seed company is necessary. DON’T WAIT until a week or two before planting to do this.

What do growers need to do? First, grower should access the NCDA Cotton Seed Quality Database to see if your lot numbers have been tested. The first step is to set up your own username and password. At this point, enter your lot numbers exactly as is printed on the bag. Simply click the blue “Search” button, and the database will list the test results for that lot number, or will indicate whether a sample has been collected and the test is underway, or if the lot number was not found. If access to technology is a challenge for you, you are welcome to contact your county agent who can easily assist you in this. If your seed has already been tested by NCDA, use this information in concert with the NCSU Cotton Planting Conditions Calculator to make the best decisions possible. This calculator, along with the NCDA Cotton Seed Quality Database, is also accessible on the NCSU Extension Cotton Portal under “Calculators and Decision Aids”. If the database suggests that your lot number has not yet had a sample collected, growers should be prepared to submit a service sample of your own. Instructions for collecting seed samples on your own, submitting the form, shipping seed to NCDA, etc. can be found on the NCSU Extension Cotton Portal under “Diagnosis and Testing” or directly at 2025 NCDA Cotton Seed Sampling Instructions and Procedures. If planting time is approaching quickly, and an official sample is desired while NCDA has not sampled your particular seed lot, growers should consider holding at least one bag back that remains sealed and has not been downstream treated. In this case, contact NCDA inspectors sooner rather than later so that they can collect an official sample, but you may not get results back before planting time.

If we are called to help you with an emergence, vigor, or stand establishment issue, the first thing we will ask for is the NCDA Cotton Seed Quality Test results, whether it be an Official sample or Service sample. We will always try to help you to the best of our ability, but without NCDA test results, there isn’t much we can do. This program brings a great deal of value to producers in many ways, so use it, but growers need to be an active participant