ISTA Laboratory Dresden
The seed testing laboratory in Saxony has the longest tradition of all seed testing laboratories. In 1869, Prof. Friedrich Nobbe established the first seed control station worldwide in Tharandt near Dresden. Around 1920, this station was transferred to Pillnitz and became part of the State Agricultural Experimental Station Dresden. It moved into the former guards barracks of Pillnitz castle.
Since 2008, the seed testing laboratory has been part of the State Department of Environmental and Agricultural Operations in Saxony. The laboratory is located in the direct vicinity of the Pillnitz vineyards.
As DEDL 13, the seed testing laboratory is an accredited member laboratory of the International Seed Testing Association and operates according to the International Rules for Seed Testing. The laboratory examines, above all, agricultural seeds grown and processed in Saxony – mostly cereals and grasses but also pulses, small legumes and other field crops. The test results form the basis of the national certification of seeds, the issuing of Orange ISTA International Seed Lot Certificates and seed marketing controls.
The laboratory employs ten regular and two seasonal staff members. They perform tests on purity, other seed count, moisture, germination, viability, etc. On average, about 6,000 seed samples are tested every year, mostly cereals (70 percent) and grasses (25 percent). Most tests are conducted during the season between July and October.
Assuring the quality of all applied methods is another key task of this laboratory.
