Description
The Official Seed Testing Station (OSTS) offers specialised
training in practical seed analysis methods and techniques to
interested persons, such as existing and aspiring seed analysts, as
well as others persons requiring background knowledge of seed
testing. Persons from Non-Governmental Organisations, the South
African Development Community and the rest of Africa may also
attend these courses.
The annual practical demonstration course in seed analysis
methods and techniques (5 days) usually takes place in April.
The annual workshop to promote standardisation of seed testing
is undertaken in November each year. The topic and the number of
days for the workshop differs from year to year depending on the
current problems experienced in seed testing and other areas of
standardisation that needs to be addressed.
A
Tetrazolium (TZ) workshop (5 days) is presented every third year.
The last TZ workshop took place in 2004.
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Steps to follow
- At the start of each year a notification
of the training, including the topic of the workshop, is sent to
all interested parties on the Department’s distribution list.
- Complete the application form to indicate
preliminary interest and fax it to the Official Seed Testing
Station (OSTS) (see contact details).
- Participants are accepted according to the
number that can be accommodated. Only 20 participants are accepted
for the practical demonstration course in seed analysis methods and
techniques. The number of participants for the workshop will depend
on the topic. Only 20 participants can be accepted for the TZ
workshop.
- Candidates are informed per fax, at a
later stage of the opportunity to participate.
- These candidates must confirm their
attendance.
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Legal framework
(Documents are provided in PDF
format. To open PDF documents, you need to have
Adobe Acrobat Reader 4 or higher installed on
your computer.)
Plant Improvement Act, 1976 (Act 53 of
1976)
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Service standard
The OSTS tries to accommodate all candidates who apply for a course
or workshop. However, because of limited space in the training
facility, preparation of practical work, etc., a limited number of
persons can be accommodated. Preference will be given to seed
analysts at the registered seed testing laboratories, as well as to
aspiring seed analysts.
For both the practical demonstration course in seed analysis
methods and techniques and the workshop, a letter of attendance is
issued. This letter contains brief details on the content of the
course or workshop.
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Cost
The service is free. A small payment for tea, lunch and manuals is
made and this may differ depending on the magnitude of the workshop
i.e. number of days, manuals distributed, etc.
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Forms to complete
Preliminary registration is done using the form (Seed Analyst
Training Programme)sent out at the start of each year.
All aspiring seed analysts must register as a trainee seed
analyst. This form (Registration as a Trainee Seed Analyst) is also
included in the package distributed annually.
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Contact details |