Seed Testing

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) Plant Health Program provides laboratory testing services to detect seed-borne bacteria, fungi, nematodes, pests, and other miscellaneous problems on seeds of grasses, clover, alfalfa, flowers, and other crops. We also test for endophytes such as Neotyphodium spp. in tall fescue and perennial ryegrass seed. We provide pest & disease visual inspections necessary for issuance of phytosanitary certificates.

We provide these services at the request of Oregon seed producers to meet phytosanitary requirements of their domestic and international customers. All samples for official phytosanitary certification must be collected by an official inspector from the ODA Certification and Inspection Program or another regulatory agency.

North Valley Complex (NVC)

The ODA is consolidating laboratories and programs in a new state-owned facility in Wilsonville, Oregon. The North Valley Complex (NVC) is a state-of-the art facility that is an integral part of Oregon's "One-State" approach, supporting cross-agency collaboration and resiliency. To that end, ODA will be joining staff from Oregon’s Occupational Safety and Health Division and State Police at the NVC facility.

The Plant Health program, including seed sampling, verification, and phytosanitary testing has moved to the NVC as of February 1, 2024. Going forward, samples should be mailed or dropped off to our new address:

How do I request sampling and testing?

Official sampling is provided by the Certification and Inspection Program.
Instructions for both seed sampling and testing.

What is a Pest & Disease (P&D) Inspection?

A P&D is a visual inspection of a seed sample for diseases, insects, pests, weed seeds, soil, and other contaminants. In a standard test, contaminants such as soil, sclerotia, weed seeds, insects, infected seeds, or nematode cysts will be removed from the sample for further analysis. Seeds infected with ergot (Claviceps purpurea) will be quantified, weed seeds will be identified, and other infestations reported as found. Percent soil contamination will also be quantified as requested.

For phytosanitary certificates, testing must be done on official samples, collected by the ODA or another regulatory agency.

What are the fees associated with this program?

Fees are set forth by OAR-603-052-1150.