Documentation & resources
Seed dispensing documentation & resources
A monthly research-note series plus selection guides, protocol references and manufacturer documentation for seed dispensing, germination assays and seed DNA prep.
Research notes
A monthly series on seed-handling methods
Each month we review one seed-handling method: germination assays, seed DNA extraction, difficult seeds, and how the tools compare. Every article cites its sources so you can go to the primary literature.
Publication schedule
| Date | Research note | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sep 2026 | Seed germination assays: a practical protocol | Scheduled |
| 1 Oct 2026 | Extracting DNA from seed by bead beating | Scheduled |
| 2 Nov 2026 | Dispensing small & irregular seeds: lettuce, onion, Arabidopsis | Scheduled |
| 1 Dec 2026 | Vacuum seeders vs mesh-plate dispensers: accuracy compared | Scheduled |
| 5 Jan 2027 | High-throughput genotyping from seed | Scheduled |
Latest research notes
- Seed grinding in deep-well plates: a step-by-step guide
Grinding seeds in a 96 deep-well plate lets you lyse a whole plate of samples in parallel for high-throughput DNA extraction. Done… Read more: Seed grinding in deep-well plates: a step-by-step guide
The first note publishes 1 September 2026. Check back monthly, or ask us a question in the meantime.
Resources
Guides & references
Seed-selection guides
How to match the mesh plate to your seed size, shape and container. Start with the seed & container reference tables.
Protocol references
Germination testing (ISTA-style) and seed DNA extraction protocols, summarised in the monthly research notes above.
Academic papers
Peer-reviewed work on seed DNA extraction and high-throughput genotyping, cited in each note with links to the primary source.
Manufacturer docs
Specifications and mesh-plate lists on the LabTIE seed dispensers page.
External resources
- LabTIE International: seed dispensers and mesh plates.
- LabTIE knowledge base and product range (bead dispensers, grinding media, bead beaters).
- International Seed Testing Association (ISTA): germination testing rules and methods.
Funding
$1,000 toward your dispenser
LabTIE International B.V., which manufactures the dispensers documented here and publishes this site, funds ten $1,000 awards toward seed, bead and powder dispensing equipment. Applications close 31 December 2026. Read the $1,000 lab equipment grant criteria and terms, or start with the top 4 seed dispensers comparison to work out which model you need.
Have a seed-handling question?
Tell us your seed type and assay and we will point you to the right mesh-plate configuration.
Seed Dispensers 