• The Physical Analysis Laboratory is organised into several areas of activity and teams, which are:

  

  Analysis and Equipment:

  A space dedicated to micro-cleaning, equipped with laboratory machines representative of the equipment used in factories, including an optical sorter. This activity makes it possible to establish an optimal sorting diagram and clean small batches in their entirety, and is an essential step in defining the industrial process for high-quality sorting in the factory. In addition, the commercial value of a batch is estimated based on precise knowledge of its quality, which is known as batch grading. Micro-cleaning also allows small batches to be cleaned in their entirety.

  A sampling laboratory

  Two laboratories for purity and counting analysis (treated and untreated seeds) equipped with an automatic counting machine, ergonomic magnifying glasses and adaptable workbenches. Specific purity analyses consist of separating a sample of 2,500 seeds representative of a batch of seeds into three fractions: pure seeds, seeds from other plants and inert matter. Foreign species seed count analyses involve counting and identifying as accurately as possible the seeds of other species in a sample of 25,000 seeds representative of a seed batch. Mass analyses of 1,000 seeds and species identification analyses are also carried out.

  

  A water content laboratory for conducting analyses to determine water content by passing a sample through a moisture meter or oven in order to determine the amount of water present. The temperature and drying time conditions, as well as the sample size, are set in accordance with ISTA rules. The moisture content is expressed as a percentage of water relative to the fresh weight of the sample analysed.

  The laboratory is equipped with two moisture meters and seven drying ovens for carrying out analyses.

  

  A cytology laboratory equipped with three microscopes, including one fluorescence microscope and one flow cytometer with sample loader for determining ploidy levels by chromosome counting or cytometry.

  

  An ‘X-ray imaging’ laboratory equipped with equipment for performing 2D X-ray analyses and equipment for performing 3D X-ray analyses (EasyTom tomograph). With the help of artificial intelligence, these technologies make it possible to assess seed quality, characterise the internal structure of seeds, detect infestations and support research into resistance to environmental stresses.

  

  A collection room with a reference collection of more than 17,000 species of plant seeds and a technical collection comprising more than 500 species.

  

  A cultivation field for the propagation of species of interest to the laboratory’s activities and the publication of a GEVES Index Seminum.

  

  The laboratory also produces technical documents for professionals in the sector (collections, self-testing kits, technical data sheets).

  

  The ‘Technical Support for Laboratories’ division within the Physical Analysis Laboratory carries out coordination and supervision tasks for the network of recognised French laboratories, such as training courses, company audits and the organisation of inter-laboratory tests.

Missions :

• Evaluate the sanitary quality of seeds: 200 host/pathogens pairs
• Evaluate varietal resistance under controlled conditions: 171 host/pathogens pairs
• Evaluate (Biocontrol and conventional): 25 pathosystems
• Carry out NRL SV missions: 59 host/pathogens pairs
• Produce inoculum in various forms (contaminated seeds or grains, solid or liquid medium, plant organs, spores, DNA)

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The laboratory also carries out :

• coordinating and supervising the network of recognised and officials French laboratories
• training technicians and engineers in the
• sector qualification: certification of aptitude for base analysts and senior laboratory analysts
• carrying out official analyses and controls within various regulatory frameworks

To carry out these tasks, we are responsible for :

• Maintaining a collection of reference strains
• Co-organising the MATREF network
• Developing pathosystems
• Developing and improving methods
• Coordinating and participating in research and development projects
• Organising inter-laboratory trials (EIL)
• Training courses and visits
• Epidemiological studies
• Validating and supplying reference material
• Acting as an expert : in national and international mandates and technical committees
• Auditing

Human resources:

Our accreditations:

• COFRAC accreditation – ISO 17025
• ISTA accreditation
• CPVO autorization
• Quarantine agreemment
• DGAL accreditation

The laboratory in more detail:

• 550 strains of pests in a reference collection: list of pests available
• 221m² greenhouse / 156m² quarantine greenhouse
• 30 climate modules (with light-temperature-hygrometry controls) i.e. 216 m²
• M² quarantine zone

Missions :

• Assess the germinative quality of seeds (germination, vigour and viability of seeds)
• Evaluate the efficacy of bio stimulant treatments and the selectivity of seed treatments
• Lead and supervise a network of laboratories
• Develop and standardize methods
• Develop and make available tools e.g. PHENOTIC platform (phenotyping)

Human resources:

Specific equipment:

• 32 climatic room germinators (with light-temperature-hygrometry controls) with a total surface of 363 m²

• 447 m² of laboratory space (semi-automated sowing, seed treatment room, seed testing evaluation laboratories)

• 667 m² of workshop space (substrate preparation equipment, washing tunnel, storage areas)

• Phenotyping equipment: 5 germination phenotyping benches (Multicam); 1 growth phenotyping bench (Eloncam); WinRhizo

Seed quality analysis is one of GEVES’s main missions. The tests include various checks carried out at National Seed Testing Station (SNES).

Germination quality is determined by :

• Germination tests: the aim of these tests is to determine the percentage of normal seedlings in optimal germination conditions for the species tested

• Vigour tests: these tests are designed to assess the physiological quality of seeds under stressful germination conditions (cold test), or penalising storage conditions (accelerated ageing, controlled deterioration); or by indirect measurements of electrical conductivity indicative of any deterioration of the cell membranes

• Viability tests: these tests assess the viability of seeds without germination, by staining viable seed tissue with 2, 3, 5 triphenyl tetrazolium chloride

The methods used in these tests are mainly described in the ISTA Rules (current version) and in the ISTA Handbooks related to these different tests.

The effect of seed treatments (bio stimulants or other products) can be assessed by testing :

• The presence or absence of toxicity abnormalities caused in the seedlings.
• The impact of the treatment on seed germination rate
• The effect of the treatment on seedling growth (growth rate, size of developed seedlings).