• One of the largest public seed testing labs in the U.S.

Welcome to the ISU Seed Science Center

More than 100 Years of Excellence in Seed Testing, Research, and Outreach

The Seed Science Center at Iowa State University is a center of excellence nationally and internationally in seed research, education, technology transfer, and international seed programs. It provides a focus for teaching, research, and extension programs on seed in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and it is a global leader in introducing science into policy to benefit world seed trade.

The Seed Science Center is home to the largest public seed testing laboratory in the world. For more than 100 years, the lab has provided accurate and professional seed-testing services for members of the seed industry.

Seed Science Center faculty members are committed to providing quality research and education to produce the next generation of leaders in the seed industry. Faculty specializing in seed physiology, seed pathology, risk management, and seed conditioning conduct cutting-edge research projects in sustainable agriculture, biotechnology, crop utilization, computer technologies, microbiology, toxicology, and molecular biology.   

Working to provide access to quality seed, facilitating seed trade, and promoting the growth and development of the seed industry are important missions of the Center's Global Programs. In the past 20 years, center scientists have designed and conducted programs in more than 80 countries around the world to achieve these goals.
                         
For more information about the Seed Science Center at Iowa State University, contact seedsci@iastate.edu.

 

News

April 17, 2025
AIAEE Distinguished Ideas at Work award
INVERNESS, SCOTLAND—Seed Science Center (SSC) personnel reported on research findings about cybersecurity threats faced by small-scale farmers and seed producers, and was recognized with an award for their presentation on outreach-extension innovations for expert forums at the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education (AIAEE) conference, an international gathering of...
March 25, 2025
Wendy Borja-Diaz receiving a Cytation Award
The Seed Science Center (SSC) is thrilled to recognize two outstanding team members, Tess Howard (pictured below) and Wendy Borja-Diaz (pictured left), as recipients of the 2025 CYtation Awards. Both honorees have gone above and beyond in their roles, demonstrating leadership, innovation, and unwavering commitment during a year of major transition for the Center. Tess Howard, Seed Lab Office...
March 25, 2025
Dr. Lulu Rodriguez participating in a panel discussion at the African Seed Trade Association Conference
KIGALI, RWANDA—The African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA) welcomed Iowa State University’s Seed Science Center (SSC) as an affiliate member this year in ceremonies marking its silver jubilee held in conjunction with the 2025 African Seed Congress. The event, held March 3-5, in Kigali, Rwanda, attracted 284 seed traders and producers from 50 countries.        ...

Now Available for Viewing

Join Iowa State University Seed Science Center on a journey around the world to discover the grand collaboration between nature and humanity to feed, clothe, and beautify the world! This film series was developed to engage and inspire youth, the public, and the policy makers on the beauty and value of seeds to society.