Integrada's laboratory analyzes seed quality

The seed is, without a doubt, the most important input for promising crop development. And, with each harvest, rural producers search for cultivars that present innovative technologies, with high quality and performance in the field, even in the face of weather and climate adversities. 

To guarantee the performance potential of the seeds, Integrada maintains a team specialized in laboratory analysis of soybean and wheat cultivars. The Laboratory is accredited by the Ministry of Agriculture and follows all regulatory instructions and seed analysis rules. 

Quality control tests are carried out from the beginning of harvesting the fields to the standardization process of the batches received. Each of these batches is subjected to final analysis and results are issued, certifying the quality for commercialization. 

The seeds undergo confirmation of purity, verification of other cultivars in the case of soybeans, determination of other seeds by number, and quality analyzes such as germination, vigor and tetrazolium. 

“The tetrazolium test, used mainly as quality control, is essential to identify whether there is any damage to the seed, caused by the action of an insect, such as stink bugs, or deterioration due to humidity, and also to detect mechanical damage”, he explains. the person in charge of Integrada's seed laboratory, Amanda Turozi Zulianelli de Lima.  

The seed is soaked in a solution popularly known as tetrazolium salt (triphenyl tetrazolium chloride), which gives it a reddish color, highlighting the characteristics of the grain, analyzed one by one in detail. 

The team, made up of five laboratory experts, carries out seed tests more frequently from March to October, during harvesting and receipt of production, and continues until the distribution of lots of soybean seed for planting. 

Work is also intense from September to March, during the harvest and receipt of wheat seed production fields, until the distribution of lots for planting. 

According to the input coordinator, Marcio Zanatta, Integrada's laboratory is focused on testing soybean and wheat seeds, and is also accredited for the analysis of corn, bean and oat seeds. 

“As Integrada sells soybean and wheat seeds, we focused the analyzes on these crops, following the standard provided by the Ministry of Agriculture. Our seeds also undergo plant tissue analysis, as is the case with Safra Super, rich in molybdenum”, explains Zanatta. 

Safra Super special seeds are developed with the highest technology, from cultivation in the field to availability to members. It has a minimum germination rate of 90% and vigor of 80%, in addition to being enriched with molybdenum, one of the most important nutrients in carrying out various biochemical reactions, including the one that allows atmospheric nitrogen to be obtained through biological fixation in the roots. of the plant. 

Tests on different types of soil, in controlled environments, also demonstrate seed development, as is the case with the germination experiment in sand.  

“In this test, it is possible to check viability, germination and vigor, mainly analyzing the root system of the plants, and how many of the seeds had any development problems”, explains Amanda, showing the well-formed roots from the test.  

All seed samples received are stored in a climate-controlled chamber, at a temperature below 20 degrees Celsius and humidity below 60%. “They are kept in a controlled environment throughout the crop cycle. At each end of the cycle, they are discarded, making room for new samples”, points out Zanatta. 

Integrada has three seed processing units, located in Londrina, operating in the Industrial Complex, in Santa Cecília do Pavão and in Mauá da Serra. With modern equipment and partnerships with large companies, the units offer, in addition to genetic quality, industrial seed treatment with a capacity of 100 tons/hour, ensuring uniformity, health and safety in handling, with management controls to minimize as much as possible. risks of contamination and environmental impact.