Standard PT Programme Germination Testing

Prove Your
Laboratory's

Scientific Competence.

Karnavati Proficiency Testing offers the Proficiency Test programme for germination testing — independently evaluating your laboratory's analytical performance against the global benchmark.

Enrol in PT Programme ↗ View Crop Groups
3×
PT Rounds
per year
3
Seed lots
per round
90
Day result
deadline
A–BMP
4-tier
rating scale
🌐
ISO/IEC 17043 Based Programme Following PT procedure — valid from 30 September 2026. Results rated by Z-score statistical analysis.
What is Proficiency Testing?

Why Your Lab
Needs a PT

Proficiency Testing (PT) is an independent, inter-laboratory comparison programme that evaluates how accurately your laboratory performs standard seed testing analyses. It is the cornerstone of laboratory quality assurance.

Under the Standard PT Programme, participating laboratories receive identical seed samples and report their germination results. Results are statistically compared using Z-score analysis against all participating accredited laboratories worldwide.

For NABL-accredited laboratories, participation in relevant crop group rounds is obligatory. For other laboratories, voluntary participation provides a powerful, independent benchmark for internal quality assurance and client confidence.

📊
Statistical Objectivity

Z-score analysis removes subjectivity — your performance is measured against the global mean of accredited laboratories.

🔒
Strict Confidentiality

All individual results are treated confidentially. No laboratory is identified in published summary reports.

🛠️
Corrective Action Support

C or BMP rating triggers guided corrective action support to help your laboratory improve and recover performance.

01

Enrolment & Sample Dispatch

Enrol with KPTL ahead of the round. Samples are dispatched in April, August, and December each year. Your package contains three seed lots and an instruction letter.

📦 April · August · December
02

Germination Testing

Conduct germination analysis using your standard method on all three lots. Begin testing immediately upon receipt; store samples correctly before testing.

🔬 ISTA Rules Method / SOP
03

Report Results

Submit raw data and mean results using the provided reporting forms via email before the 90-day deadline. Results cannot be modified after submission.

⏱ 90-day deadline
04

Receive Rated Report

Receive your individual performance report with Z-scores, in-round rating (A/B/C/BMP), overall rating across the last rounds, and histogram comparison.

📋 A · B · C · BMP Ratings
Germination Testing Only

Available Crop Groups

We offer germination PT for the following five crop groups. Each group is represented by species commonly cultivated in Gujarat and India.

Crop Group 2
Cereals
🌾
🌽
Zea mays
Maize / Corn — widely grown Kharif crop across Gujarat
🍚
Pearl millet
Bajra — major cereal in North Gujarat & Saurashtra

Genera: Avena, Hordeum, Oryza, Secale, Sorghum, Triticum, Zea and more. ISTA Table 2C reference group.

Participation Fee (GER)
+18% GST applicable
₹9,500
Crop Group 3
Small Legumes
🫘
🟢
Trifolium alexandrinum
Berseem Clover — important fodder legume in Gujarat
🌿
Medicago sativa
Lucerne / Alfalfa — widely used forage crop across India

Genera: Medicago, Melilotus, Trifolium, Lotus, Onobrychis and others. Small-seeded forage and cover crop species.

Participation Fee (GER)
+18% GST applicable
₹15,000
Crop Group 4
Pulses
🫛
🫘
Glycine max
Soybean — largest oilseed pulse crop in Gujarat
🥜
Vigna radiata
Green Gram / Moong — major Kharif pulse in Saurashtra

Genera: Glycine, Phaseolus, Pisum, Vigna, Cicer, Lens, Lathyrus, Lupinus and more. Large-seeded food legumes.

Participation Fee (GER)
+18% GST applicable
₹15,000
Crop Group 5
Other Agricultural Crops
🌻
🌱
Gossypium hirsutum
Cotton — Gujarat is India's largest cotton producer
🌻
Helianthus annuus
Sunflower — important oilseed crop in North Gujarat

Genera: Brassica, Beta, Gossypium, Helianthus, Linum, Raphanus, Cannabis, Carthamus and more. Diverse oilseed and industrial crops.

Participation Fee (GER)
+18% GST applicable
₹15,000
Crop Group 6
Vegetables, Spices & Herbs
🥦
🌶️
Capsicum annuum
Chilli / Bell Pepper — major vegetable crop across Gujarat
🧅
Allium cepa
Onion — Gujarat is India's leading onion producing state

Genera: Allium, Capsicum, Cucumis, Cucurbita, Daucus, Lactuca, Lycopersicon, Solanum and 60+ more vegetable genera.

Participation Fee (GER)
+18% GST applicable
₹15,000
Crop Group 8
Flower Species
🌸
🌼
Tagetes erecta
African Marigold — widely cultivated floriculture crop in Gujarat
💐
Zinnia elegans
Zinnia — popular ornamental annual grown across Gujarat

Genera: Antirrhinum, Calendula, Celosia, Cosmos, Dahlia, Dianthus, Petunia, Tagetes, Zinnia and 100+ ornamental genera.

Participation Fee (GER)
+18% GST applicable
₹15,000
💡
Pricing Note: Fees are per participating laboratory per PT round for Germination (GER) testing. Group 2 (Cereals) is priced at ₹9,500 per round due to the simpler germination protocol. All other groups are priced at ₹15,000 per round. GST at 18% is applicable. One round includes three seed lots (L1, L2, L3) as per standard protocol. Contact us for multi-round or multi-group enrolment packages.
Performance Evaluation

The Rating System

In-round ratings are based on the sum of absolute Z-scores for normal seedlings across all three seed lots.

A
Excellent
Σ|Z| ≤ 2.0
Your germination results are consistent and closely aligned with the global mean. Outstanding laboratory performance.
B
Good
2.1 < Σ|Z| ≤ 2.5
Good performance with minor deviation from mean. No immediate action required, but monitoring recommended.
C
Minimum
2.6 < Σ|Z| ≤ 3.0
Results deviate sufficiently to warrant investigation. Corrective action is required to prevent deterioration to BMP.
BMP
Below Minimum
Σ|Z| > > 3.0
Unsatisfactory performance. Accredited laboratories must actively investigate and may face accreditation review.

How Z-Scores Work

The Z-score measures how far your result deviates from the overall mean of all accredited laboratories. It is calculated as Zi = (xi − x̄) / s where xi is your result, x̄ is the overall mean, and s is the standard deviation of accredited laboratories.

A Z-score between ±2.10 and ±2.50 signals a possible problem to investigate. A Z-score beyond ±2.50 is considered unsatisfactory and requires active corrective investigation. The sum of absolute Z-scores across all three lots determines your in-round rating.

Z-Score Range Indicators
|Z| = 0.5
✓
|Z| = 1.0
✓
|Z| = 1.5
✓
|Z| = 2.1
⚠
|Z| = 2.6
⚠
|Z| > 3.5
✗
Overall Rating is based on the last 6 obligatory rounds. Each A=5, B=4, C=3, BMP=0 points. Total 28–30 = Overall A, 21–27 = B, 16–20 = C, <16 = BMP.
Seed Testing PT Programme Plan 2026–2028

Upcoming PT Rounds

Full programme plan from KRLL (updated 15.04.2026). KPTL offers Germination (GER) testing for all rounds applicable to our enrolled crop groups.

PT Round Species Test Scope Crop Group Group Name KPTL Available
PT26-1 Gossypium hirsutum GERPUROSDOIC
5
 Other Agricultural ✓ GER Available
PT26-2 Zea mays GERPURMOITSW
2
 Cereals ✓ GER Available
PT27-1 Pisum sativum GERVIGMOI
4
 Pulses ✓ GER Available
PT27-1 Salvia sp. GER
568
 Agri, Vegetables & Flowers ✓ GER Available
PT27-2 Trifolium incarnatum GERPURTZ
3
 Small Legumes ✓ GER Available
PT27-3 Helianthus annuus GERTZOIC
58
 Other Agricultural & Flowers ✓ GER Available
PT27-3 Glycine max GERVIGMOIOIC
4
 Pulses ✓ GER Available
PT28-1 Ipomoea aquatica GERPUR
68
 Vegetables & Flowers ✓ GER Available
PT28-1 Moringa sp. GERTZ
7
 Forest / Trees — Not offered (Group 7)
PT28-2 Trifolium repens GERPURMOIOIC
3
 Small Legumes ✓ GER Available
PT28-3 Festuca arundinacea GERPURTZ
1
 Grasses — Not offered (Group 1)
PT28-3 Sorghum bicolor subsp. bicolor GERMOI
2
 Cereals ✓ GER Available
📦

Round 1 — First of Each Year

Samples dispatched from (KPTL)KRLL. Results deadline 90 days after dispatch.

Dispatch: 1 April · Deadline: 1 July
🔬

Round 2 — Mid-Year

Second round dispatched in August. Begin testing immediately upon receipt.

Dispatch: 1 August · Deadline: 1 November
📋

Round 3 — Year End

Third and final round dispatched in December. Results due by end of February.

Dispatch: 1 December · Deadline: 1 March
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can participate in the KPTL Proficiency Test?
Any seed testing laboratory can participate. Participation is obligatory for NABL-accredited laboratories whose scope includes the crop group being tested. Non-accredited laboratories and accredited laboratories outside the specific crop group scope may participate as voluntary participants. Voluntary results are not included in the overall mean/SD calculation and do not affect the overall rating.
What tests are conducted in each PT round?
KPTL currently offers the Germination Test (GER) only. Each round provides three separate seed lots (L1, L2, L3). You test each lot using your standard germination method and report mean percentage of normal seedlings, abnormal seedlings, and non-germinated seeds. The full PT round scope may also include PUR, OSD, TZ, MOI, TSW, and VIG tests, but KPTL focuses exclusively on germination.
What testing method should I use for germination?
Use the same ISTA / SOP germination method your laboratory normally applies for issuing test Certificates for that species. Report the substrate, temperature, pre-treatment (if applicable), and method used on the result form. Consistent use of your standard method is essential — do not use a modified method specifically for the PT round.
How is my performance rated and what does it mean?
Your in-round rating is based on the sum of absolute Z-scores for normal seedlings across all three lots: A (≤2.0), B (≤2.5), C (≤3.0), or BMP (>3.1). The overall rating is derived from your last 6 obligatory rounds — each A earns 5 points, B earns 4, C earns 3, BMP earns 0. Total 28–30 = Overall A, 21–27 = B, 16–20 = C, below 16 = BMP overall. A C or BMP in-round rating requires corrective action.
What happens if my laboratory receives a C or BMP rating?
A C rating is a warning — your laboratory should investigate the cause and initiate corrective action immediately to prevent deterioration. A BMP rating is unsatisfactory. Accredited laboratories with a BMP overall rating may face suspension or withdrawal of NABL accreditation for that test. Corrective action plans must be developed and submitted.
Are my individual results kept confidential?
Yes. All individual results are strictly confidential. Published summary reports show overall distributions and statistics without identifying any individual laboratory. Your lab code is used internally, and results are shared only with the participating laboratory, except in the case of a BMP overall rating which may trigger notification to the NABL Accreditation Working Group in line with NABL policy.
How do I enrol and what is the enrolment deadline?
Contact KPTL via the enrolment form below or email us at the address provided. Non-members wishing to participate should inform us at least one year ahead of a round to ensure sufficient samples are prepared. Existing members receive the programme plan at the start of each 3-year cycle. Voluntary participants must return the completed interest form to the KRLL in advance of each round they wish to join.
Enrol in the Programme

Start Your
PT Journey

Enrol your laboratory in the KPTL Proficiency Test programme for Germination Testing. Our team will guide you through the process, from crop group selection to result interpretation.

📍
Karnavati Proficiency Testing

A Division of Karnavati Research Lab LLP
LS57, Nr Jaimin Poultry Farm,
Vaghasi, Anand – 388320, Gujarat

📧
Email

info-pt@krllp.in — Enrolment & enquiries

📞
Phone

+91 9510813099
Mon–Sat, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM IST

🌐
Parent Organisation

Part of Karnavati Research Lab LLP (KRLL)
Also see:KSTL | KRDL

Enrolment Enquiry Form

We respond within 5 business day · All results kept strictly confidential