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VDACS Approves IALR as Industrial Hemp Testing Lab
Already ISO 17025-certified and accredited by the Virginia Board of Pharmacy, IALR’s Analytical Chemistry Lab adds a new distinguishing recognition to its portfolio. The lab is now approved by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) to determine industrial hemp’s compliance with the Virginia Industrial Hemp Law.
This new VDACS requirement, now attained by IALR, allows approved labs to conduct analytical testing for purposes of detecting total delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of an industrial hemp sample. IALR’s lab also offers a whole range of additional testing viewable at https://bit.ly/hempform. Staff look forward to assisting regional farmers with these high-quality, yet affordable, testing capabilities during this summer’s growing season.
The VDACS qualification is effective through December 31, 2022. The lab and all others approved for this season will reapply with VDACS before conducting analytical testing in 2023 and each following year.
IALR’s Analytical Chemistry Lab has served clients of the hemp industry since 2018. The lab uses the highest quality Waters and Agilent equipment as well as the highest-grade consumables. It adheres to the strictest standards to ensure quality testing and service.
Yimeng “Jack” He stands in front of the Waters UPLC with TQXS Mass Spectrometer with the ISO 17025 certification plaque which the lab received in 2020.
IALR November/December 2021 Newsletter
VDACS Grant Aids Endophyte Use in Indoor Ag
(L to R) Mitchell Doss, Dr. Sajeewa Amaradasa, Dr. Scott Lowman,
Dr. Chuansheng Mei, and Robert Chretien will work on the VDACS grant project.
IALR received a grant from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) to continue research on beneficial bacteria endophytes and how they can be used to improve yield in hydroponic vegetable production systems. The project, which is titled “Utilizing Beneficial Endophytes to Promote Hydroponic Vegetable Growth and Increase Profitability,” will be provided by the USDA’s COVID-19 Relief Funding via VDACS.
Yields and diseases are two major challenges in hydroponic industries, and IALR scientists have discovered that some endophytes significantly promote plant growth, increase stress tolerance and fight against diseases, all factors that can lead to increased yield and higher profits. During this two-year project, researchers will pragmatically test endophytes from IALR’s collection in a hydroponic system on vegetable crops, such as lettuce and spinach, in IALR’s Controlled Environment Agriculture Innovation Center, a partnership with Virginia Tech. The best combination of growth-promoting bacteria and biocontrol bacteria will be tested using the randomized block design. The overall outcome for the project is to increase hydroponic vegetable yield by 10-20%. If achieved, it will contribute to making year-round hydroponic production more profitable for growers.
