Starke Ayres: Seed Analyst

Starke Ayres is the foremost African specialist and global supplier of premium vegetable, flower and lawn seed varieties – both for commercial and home garden planting. The following position has become available for a Seed Analyst, based in Kempton Park.

Purpose of job:

The determination of seed quality by means of analyzing samples with regard to defect determination, purity, germination, approved vigour tests and tetrazolium, as well as quality control on seed lots presented. The Seed Analyst must also be able to support the Laboratory Manager/Supervisor in their duties and stand in for the Laboratory Manager/Supervisor in their absence.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Sampling

• Sampling of seed lots according to ISTA Rules.

Screen analysis and defect determination on seed received

• Obtain the prescribed submitted sample according to the ISTA Rules.
• Obtain a working sample from the submitted sample using a method prescribed in the ISTA Rules.
• Do a defect determination.
• Weigh fractions separately and report.
• Identify other seed found during the defect determination.
• Report results on the job card.

Defect determination and purity analysis on seed presented

• Stand Obtain the prescribed submitted sample according to the ISTA Rules.
• Obtain the prescribed working sample, from the submitted sample, according to the ISTA Rules.
• Do a defect determination and purity analysis.
• Weigh fractions separately and report the percentages.
• Identify other seed found during the purity analysis.
• Complete the purity results on the job card.

Planting of seed samples

• Choose the planting method according to the ISTA Rules for the specific species, taking into consideration the current temperature settings of the incubators.
• In the event that a germination test is not satisfactory an alternative method can be used in consultation with the Laboratory Manager/Supervisor, making it possible to determine the difference in germintion in various media.
• Report germination on the job card with regard to various planting methods.
• General supervision of laboratory juniors with regard to the planting of seed samples.
• The decision to retest should be made in consultation with laboratory superiors.

Evaluation of seedlings in a germination test, according to the ISTA rules

• Do a first count on the germination as prescribed by the ISTA Rules, do intermediate counts if necessary and then a final evaluation as prescribed by ISTA Rules.
• Seedlings need to be divided into the following categories:

- normal seedlings

- abnormal seedlings

- dead seeds

- hard seeds

- fresh seeds

• The abovementioned needs to be reported as a percentage on the germination card.
• The decision to retest, in the event that replicates are not in tolerance, should be made in consultation with the Laboratory Manager/Supervisor.