Accreditation and control of an automatic seed sampler

The object of the seed sampling is to obtain a representative sample whose test results will present an average quality of a seed lot. Sampling is the first and the most important part of seed testing, becase it has been determined that the greatest deviations in the test results occurred due to incorrect sampling. Regardless of the sampling method (use of triers, sampling sticks or automatic seed samplers) sampling has to be controlled and laboratory staff members have to be trained, accredited and audited. Seed sampling performed by using an automatic seed sampler for ISTA certificate issuance or test reports, requires the accreditation of an automatic seed sampler for each species individually. The accreditation confirms that certain prerequisites concerning handling, work control and the supervision of seed samplers are fulfilled. The operation accuracy of the automatic seed sampler should be checked at least once a year by comparison test results of 10 samples drawn by the automatic seed sampler with the test results obtained by manual sampling of the same samples. The advantage of sampling by the automatic sampler is in obtaining a representative sample, avoiding of bag perforations by triers and saving time.