Seed Science Advisory Group

Transcription

1 Seed Science Advisory Group

2 SSAG approved December 2014 All members appointed by March 2015 First meeting, Edinburgh July 2015

3 SSAG members Members noted in the Terms of Reference Alison Powell (Chair) ISTA Honorary member, University of Aberdeen, UK Beni Kaufman ISTA Secretary General, Zurich, Switzerland Fiona Hay Chief Editor, SST. IRRI, The Philippines Laura Bowden Seed Symposium Convenor, SASA, Edinburgh, UK Members approved by the ECOM Birte Boelt Aarhus University, Denmark Françoise Corbineau Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France Brigitte Hamman (VC) Syngenta Seed Care, Basle, Switzerland Stan Matthews University of Aberdeen, UK Alan Taylor Cornell University, USA Jane Thomas NIAB, Cambridge, UK Ex officio members Joel Léchappé ISTA President, GEVES, Angers, France Steve Jones ISTA ECOM member, Chair ISTA Rules Committee, CFIA, Canada

4 Terms of Reference What they are How we aim to work What we have done

5 TOR 1 To provide a link between fundamental research and the use of that research to meet the needs of ISTA members. identifying fundamental research results that have applicability to ISTA, facilitating collaboration between the researcher and the end user. What are we looking for? physiological, biochemical and molecular approaches to testing equipment that automates tests or offers a new approach the use of new equipment within current tests

6 How will we achieve this? Identification of potentially useful idea (s). From SSAG, TCOMs, ISTA members SSAG discussion. Discussion with TCOM Chair and TCOM. Contact researcher interest towards practical application? Further action case by case basis. We want to: try to achieve early capture of potential research create something new that is fit for purpose that will help companies access technological advances, We are not necessarily working towards achieving input to the ISTA Rules, or even validation.

7 How will we do this? Illustrated with our first evaluation Request to evaluate the Q2 analyser from Astec Global Contact with those involved (Astec Global, Rhino Research, Fytagoras, Q2 Users Group). Provided details of procedures Requested information (all provided this) All documents plus web-based promotional material distributed to all SSAG Three independent reviews completed (Françoise Corbineau, Brigitte Hamman, Alison Powell) Reviews completed to assess the claims made for the Q2 that it : Measures oxygen consumption of single seeds Identifies dead, dormant and germinating seeds. Is more robust and defining than traditional germination tests (Centor Group) Is a device to determine the viability of seeds (Fytogoras) Provides a holistic view of vigour. (Centor Group, Rhino Research) Is the most sensitive seed vigor indicator (Aginnovation)

8 Reviews and summary of conclusions accepted by all SSAG members Contributors were provided with summary of conclusions and reviews and invited to comment Summary and reviews submitted to ECOM for approval Summary and reviews on SSAG page of ISTA website Summary to be published in STI

9 TOR 2: further request Request from ATC related to CF To review literature behind CF to determine if there is potential for CF in germination and vigour testing Not appropriate for SSAG. Our aim: to review data to determine if an approach works, But not the background before research takes place SSAG proposed a more direct approach Compare CF assessments and germination and vigour data for same seed lots

10 Other links to TOR 2 Moisture committee Use of water activity to assess seed MC Laura Bowden

11 TOR 2 II: Develop guidelines to enable ISTA members to evaluate equipment themselves In collaboration with TCOMs TOR 3 Respond to requests from ECOM and TCOM Chairs for advice related to scientific issues

12 What else have we done? 1. Set up our web page 2. Developed procedures (on web page) 3. Set up SSAG prize for Seed Symposium (Brigitte Hamman, chairing the award process) To be awarded to the oral or poster paper that shows: Achievement in taking research towards practical application in seed quality evaluation The research reported will show evidence that: 1) the work relates to the objectives of ISTA (i.e. is fit for purpose in seed testing terms), 2) the results are repeatable and reproducible, 3) there is practical feasibility in a seed testing environment.

13 Thank you! To all SSAG members ECOM for financial support