The New Jersey Department of Agriculture's Plant Laboratory provides laboratory support for regulatory and service programs affecting the producers, dealers, and consumers of plant products in New Jersey. Our focuses are seed analysis, honeybee disease screening, and plant pathogen screening. Analyses performed for seed quality include germination, purity, noxious weed, vigor, and varietal . These tests are performed either using microscopy techniques by trained laboratory technicians or conducted and housed in special climate-controlled growth chambers. Testing of seeds for phytosanitary export requirements is also done. Fees are charged for service tests. Honey bee analysis includes disease screening for Nosema and Varroa using microscopy techniques and applied field techniques. Plant pathology testing is performed for the identification of both seed-borne and nursery diseases. Both microscopic and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests are employed.
- Plant Laboratory Diagnostic Tests and Fees
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Division of Plant Industry provides laboratory testing services for a variety of plant and seed issues. Fees are charged for some testing that is not of a regulatory nature.Charges For Testing
Test
Fee
Germination test
$10.00 per sample
Purity test
$30.00 per hour
Noxious weed test
$15.00 per sample
Vigor test
$15.00 per sample
Viability - Tetrazolium test
$30.00 per hour
Varietal identification
$100.00 per sample
Mycotoxin test
$20.00 per ELISA test
$40.00 for HPLC testOther tests
$30.00 per hour
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Division of Plant Industry provides laboratory testing services for a variety of plant and seed issues. Fees are charged for some testing that is not of a regulatory nature.
- Procedures For Submitting Samples
For timely analysis, samples representing seed to be planted in the Spring should be submitted to the laboratory between September 1st and February 1st. It is the responsibility of the individuals submitting the samples to see that the samples are representative of the lots from which they were taken. Samples should be submitted using our submission form, which you can download here.At least 1000 seeds should be submitted for a germination evaluation. A standard germination test requires 400 seeds; another 400 seeds are needed in the event that a retest is necessary.A New Jersey State noxious weed seed examination is conducted as part of the purity analysis.
A seed test report, applying only to the sample submitted, will be provided to the sender along with an itemized bill. When requesting a test on seed that has been previously analyzed, a copy of this analysis should accompany the sample as well as the reason for requesting a new analysis.
Instructions for European foulbrood American foulbrood sample collecting
Mycotoxin Submission Form
Myctoxin Testing
Samples may be submitted by mail or in person. Mail samples should be sent to the State Seed Analyst, New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Division of Plant Industry, PO Box 330, Trenton, NJ 08625-0330, (609) 406-6939.
