This invention relates to systems and process for isolating DNA from biological materials such as seeds while retaining a viable seed for further use. The seed from which the DNA is isolated remains viable and is used or discarded based on the DNA analysis of the seed soak solution. The seed soak solution can have substantially all of the confounding maternal DNA from the seed eliminated from the seed soak solutions by employing intact seed pretreatments. This method is particularly useful for maize seed.
