There are a number of advantages to having soybeans germinated by using a sand test. This test can average higher than a standard germination on top of Creped Cellulose Paper (CCP) or standard rolled towel test.  The sand acts as a buffer between seeds, thus preventing cross contamination from any fungal growth. Sand improves the environment around the seed by absorbing moisture from the CCP and surrounding the seed with it. This means the seed can rehydrate more uniformly. Slower uniform rehydration allows any cellular damage to repair itself and decreases the number of abnormal seedlings. Another advantage of the sand test is when the seedling expands and pushes upward, the sand offers resistance to the seed coat which will loosen and rub off any colonizing surface fungi.

SGS MWSS uses nearly 20 tons of sand every week in our germination testing.  It has been cleaned and heated to kill any contaminates prior to being delivered. The sand is stored in the warehouse receiving area.  Sand is transferred into totes so the temperature of the sand can be adjusted depending upon the test it will be used for.

Cold tests receive sand that is cooled to 10C via air tubes, placed throughout the carts.  Cold sand is stored in our 10C room to ensure all cold tests receive cold sand at the time of planting.  Warm germination tests that get sand have sand that is equilibrated to room temperature via the same air tube systems and stored at room temperature. During mid-winter when it is sub-zero one of the worst things that can be done is covering germination tests with frozen sand or sand that it is still below zero. We prevent this by placing a temperature probe in each tote of sand to monitor before using so we can ensure the sand is at the correct temperature. 

If you have any questions regarding your soybean germination tests, call Larry Prentice R.S.T., Lab Manager, or Sarah Graybill R.S.T., Soybean Area Coordinator. 605-692-7611.

Sarah Graybill - Soybean Area Coordinator