Sample Submission Instructions

Printable Sample Submission Forms

Client Set-Up Form

Seed Health sample submission form

Genotyping sample submission form

Plant Health sample submission form

Sample Submission Instructions

Prior to sending a sample please read the instructions below on how to submit a sample for various types of samples and types of testing.

Seed Health Testing

1. Draw a representative sample (for large lots multiple samples may be tested).
2. Untreated seeds are preferable
3. The quantity of seeds to send will vary based on the tests requested. It’s also possible for the same seeds to be used for multiple tests – contact us for details. For bacterial fruit blotch grow out testing, please send at least 10% more than the test quantity to account for low germination.
4. Ensure seeds are packed securely, with a readable label that’s also secured and double checked for correctness.
5. Prepare a packing slip (you can fill out our sample submission form to serve as a packing slip, please be sure to fill out the form completely).
6. Ship by express mail.
7. International customers should include a phytosanitary certificate. Alternatively, you can use our Red/White Labels to ship to USDA and USDA will forward the samples to us. Ask us for Red/White labels.

Guide to amount of seeds

This following table can serve as a guide to estimate number of seeds to be shipped. This estimate is based on average seed size. If you have a small-seeded or big-seeded variety, you will need to adjust accordingly.

Hybrid Purity Tests

A minimum of 96 seeds is a suggested sample size. For hybrids that are submitted for the first time, we will need a sample of both a male and a female inbred of that hybrid.You may also provide crushed seeds or leaf tissue of the inbreds and we will be able to extract DNA.

1. Ship 200 seeds from a lot.
2. Include parent inbreds if submitting a hybrid for the first time.
3. Fill out sample submission form and use as a packing slip.
4. Ship by express mail.
5. International customers should include a phytosanitary certificate. Alternatively, you can use our Red/White labels to ship to USDA and USDA will forward samples to us. Ask us for Red/White labels.

Variety Identification Tests from Seeds

For variety idenfitication testing we are assuming that the hybrid/variety sample being tested is pure and there is no variability from seed to seed. Therefore, we can run only 2 seeds (or 2 pools of seeds) to keep costs down. We will compare the DNA fingerprint of the sample with your varieties in our database. If you are submitting for the first time, we will need a reference that we can compare with.

1. Ship 20 seeds from a lot. Coin envelops may be used.
2. Fill out the Sample Submission Form and use as a packing slip.
3. Ship by express mail.
4. International customers should include Phytosanitary Certificate. Alternatively, you can use our Red/White labels to ship to USDA and USDA will forward samples to us. Ask us for Red/White labels.

Plant Tissue For Disease Diagnosis

1. Select plants that are showing varying degree of symptoms.
2. Collect whole plants, if possible (except Hemp samples). Enclose in plastic bags.
3. Label appropriately (field number etc).
4. Fill out Sample Submission Form and use this as packing slip.
5. Describe symptoms and any other information that may be helpful to our pathologists. Pictures of field symptoms, location, time of collection, etc.
6. Ship by express mail. Samples collected on Friday can be stored in a refrigerator and shipped on Monday.
7. International customers will need Red/White shipping labels from us. Please contact us to obtain the Red/White shipping labels. Red/White shipping labels (address label) is placed on the shipping box. In addition, you will need a copy of our permit. No other documents are needed.
8. Your package will be delivered to a USDA station for inspection and USDA will forward to CSP Labs.

Plant Tissue For Variety Identification

1. Select a healthy plant.
2. Collect a leaf. If leaf is not available, collect stem or root. We only need a small sample. Place sample in a zip lock bag. Use cooler if collecting several samples to avoid heat exposure.
3. If we do not have your varieties already in the database, include a sample of each reference variety that you wish to compare your sample with.
4. Fill out Sample Submission Form and use as a packing slip.
5. Ship by express mail. Samples collected on Friday can be stored in a refrigerator and shipped on Monday.
6. International customers will need Red/White shipping labels from us. Please contact us to obtain the Red/White shipping labels. Red/White shipping labels (address label) is placed on the shipping box. In addition, you will need a copy of our permit. No other documents are needed.
7. Your package will be delivered to a USDA station for inspection and USDA will forward to CSP Labs.

Grapevine Samples For Virus Testing

1. Select a vine to be sampled. A symptomatic vine is preferred.
2. Select two canes representing two cordons of the vine.
3. From each cane, cut a 6 inch section (pencil size thick) from basal portion of the cane. Place both cane pieces in a plastic bag. This will be one sample.
4. Label the samples appropriately and prepare a packing slip (you can fill our Sample Submission Form to serve as a packing slip).
5. Ship to lab by overnight mail
6. International customers will need Red/White shipping labels from us. Please contact us to obtain the Red/White shipping labels. Red/White shipping labels (address label) is placed on the shipping box. In addition, you will need a copy of our permit. No other documents are needed.