Quality in seed is invisible until the crop is in the ground, which is why it has to be built in before the packet is sealed.
Genetic purity
Hybrid seed is produced under isolation, with parent lines rogued during the season so that off-types are removed before they can contribute to the crop. Grow-out tests confirm that the seed in the lot is the hybrid on the label.
Germination and vigour
Each lot is sampled and tested for germination before release, and only lots that meet the standard are packed. Seed is dried to safe moisture levels and stored in controlled conditions so that vigour is maintained until the sowing season.
Seed health
Lots are inspected and treated as appropriate for seed-borne diseases, and packed with the lot number, test date and germination result on the label, so that any packet can be traced back to its source.
Traceability from field to packet is the quality system.