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Syngenta opens seed quality control lab

Earlier this year, Syngenta launched its new Global Vegetable Seeds Quality Control Lab in Nampa, ID. The lab represents a $15 million investment in global seed health, expanding on the previous $30 million Trait Conversion Accelerator opened at the site in 2019.

The 37,000-square-foot quality control facility features contained environment growth areas and precision testing that will enhance seed health in the global vegetable industry and for vegetable seed customers. In turn, the lab’s work will help to reduce the timeline from seed production to grower fields.

Phytosanitary standards in seed movement are paramount, and this global quality control lab ensures only the highest quality seed makes it into the hands of growers around the world.

This lab will also bring new technology and methodologies to improve turnaround times and accuracy for pest testing, such as:

• Grow out trials: These provide an additional check for seed quality and can be required in certain regulatory processes.
• Protein sampling: Analyzes samples for the presence of bacteria with precision and a two- to three-day result turnaround.
• Molecular testing: Uses PCR-type technology to provide evidence of the presence or absence of DNA related to seed-borne pests with a one- to two-day window for results.

“We’re striving for global harmonization at our seed facilities,” said Matthew Johnston, global head of Syngenta Vegetable Seeds and Flowers. “This means regardless of where seed is processed, we have the flexibility to move from lab to lab and country to country.”

The harmonized approach for seed production allows Syngenta to meet regulatory requirements for markets around the world.

Nestled in the Treasure Valley region of Idaho, more than 90,000 seed packets are processed through this facility alone. In addition, Syngenta partners with growers on 3,000 acres who grow 250 different crop varieties in Treasure Valley to provide seed for about 30,000 global acres.