EN 
PT_BR For the second consecutive time, the Official Seed Analysis Laboratory (Labsem) of the Goiana Agency for Agricultural Defense (Agrodefesa) obtained the highest score in the Seed Proficiency Testing Program (PEP), promoted by the Rio Grande do Sul Metrological Network, with the approval of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa). In 2023, the laboratory achieved 100% in all the analyzed items, reaffirming its excellence in the performance of its activities and in 2024 it achieved the same feat.
In 2024, Labsem achieved the highest recognition in the exam for the second time, which assesses the quality of services provided by seed analysis laboratories throughout Brazil. “We are very proud. This result confirms Agrodefesa’s commitment to maintaining high standards of quality and reliability in the analyses carried out in the state of Goiás,” highlights Agrodefesa’s president, José Ricardo Caixeta Ramos.
The laboratory in Goiás participated in the interlaboratory comparison of soybean, wheat and brachiaria matrices in 2024, a rigorous process to ensure the reliability of the analysis results. “Participating in this type of program shows that our work is on the right track and that we are issuing reliable results in compliance with regulatory standards, ensuring the quality of seeds in Goiás and other states in the federation. A good quality seed is essential for the producer to have high productivity and reduced operating costs”, says Labsem manager, Anna Carla Luccas.
Proficiency testing aims to assess laboratory performance, monitor quality, identify analytical issues, and provide additional confidence to users. In 2024, the tests carried out included purity analysis, germination testing, determination of other seeds by number, vigor testing, tetrazolium testing, weight of a thousand seeds, verification of cultivars, and examinations of infested seeds. The results of PEP 2024 were released at the end of February 2025. “We highlight that last year, 40 laboratories participated in the test for the soybean matrix, 14 for the wheat matrix, and 12 for the brachiaria matrix, which was the new species in this program,” adds Anna Carla.
Performance
Labsem's main objective is to determine the identity and quality of seeds through methods, standards and procedures established by current legislation, ensuring the quality of plant multiplication and reproduction material sold in the state of Goiás. It is also one of the five official state laboratories accredited by Mapa in the country.
Most of the seeds analyzed by Labsem come from inspections carried out by state agricultural inspectors, agronomists from the 12 Regional Units of Agrodefesa, who collect samples for measurement and diagnosis of the standards established for the species and category, in accordance with the provisions of current legislation, ensuring the quality of production in Goiás.
“Low-quality seeds or seeds that do not meet the established production standards can cause great losses to producers, either due to the need for new sowing or the waste of time and inputs, which significantly increases production costs,” reinforces Anna Carla.
In addition to soybeans, corn and beans, the laboratory carries out analyses of various species of seeds, such as rice, cotton, sorghum, forage plants such as brachiaria and panicuns, among others.
Labsem also carries out analyses for other agencies such as: Mapa, Emater, Embrapa, Iagro (State Agency for Animal and Plant Health Defense of Mato Grosso do Sul), Cidasc (Integrated Company for Agricultural Development of Santa Catarina), and has had a long-standing partnership with Adapar (Agricultural Defense Agency of Paraná).
“Our national reach is a reflection of the trust in our work and the importance of the official analyses carried out to monitor the seed trade in Goiás and other states in the federation”, concludes the unit manager.
