Elements and Performance Criteria
- Prepare for testing
- Submitted sample is checked to ensure it is in an intact, moisture-proof container with as much air as possible excluded.
- Appropriate apparatus are selected for seed moisture testing.
- Temperature of submitted sample in container is equilibrated to that of the testing laboratory.
- Exposure of sample to the atmosphere of the laboratory is reduced to an absolute minimum according to the species and ISTA requirements.
- Prepare samples for drying
- Submitted sample is thoroughly mixed.
- A minimum three subsamples are taken and combined to form a working sample of the required size.
- Exposure to air during sample reduction is limited to thirty seconds.
- Where cutting or grinding is required, one working sample is prepared so that two replicates can be drawn from the cut/ground material.
- Pre-drying is carried out where moisture content exceeds ISTA requirements.
- Containers and lids are weighed before and after filling.
- Weighing procedures conform with ISTA requirements and weight is expressed in grams to at least three decimal places.
- Lids are kept on containers until samples are placed in oven.
- Dry and weigh sample
- Working sample is evenly distributed over surface of the container.
- Open containers and their lids are placed rapidly into an oven that is maintained at the required temperature for the species being tested.
- Drying period commences once oven returns to the required temperature after placement of containers.
- At the end of prescribed drying period, containers have their lids replaced before cooling to ambient temperature in desiccators.
- After cooling, the containers with lids and dried contents are weighed.
- Calculate results