2023 APSA Seed Technology Webinar - Session 4 17 October 2023 / 14:00 – 16:00 hrs. (GMT+7)

Hosted by APSA Standing Committee on Seed Technology, the webinar series on Seed Technology is organized exclusively for APSA members only. This year is the third year APSA will be holding this webinar series, and will focus on such topics as Seed Priming, Seed Drying, Seed Disinfection, Seed Quality & Seed Vigor.

2023 APSA Seed Technology Webinar - Session 4
17 October 2023 / 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm (GMT+7)

Seed Quality / Seed Vigour

SPEAKER PROFILE & ABSTRACT

Dr Alison A Powell
Honorary Senior Lecturer: University of Aberdeen, UK / Honorary ISTA member
Chair ISTA Vigour Committee / Vice Chair ISTA Seed Science Advisory Group and Deputy Editor Seed Science and Technology

Profile
Dr Alison Powell is the chair of the ISTA Vigour Committee, an Honorary member of ISTA and an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen UK. Her research for over forty years has focussed on the physiological basis of seed quality, particularly seed ageing, and its application in seed vigour tests. This included research that led to two ISTA vigour tests, the controlled deterioration and radicle emergence tests. She has been responsible for undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in plant science and seed science and technology both in the UK and overseas, and has presented international vigour workshops and training courses. In collaboration with many international laboratories including members of the Vigour Committee, she has overseen the introduction of five vigour tests, covering eight species into the ISTA Rules. In 2004, she was awarded the degree of Doctor of Science in recognition of her research contribution to the advancement of knowledge in seed science and technology.

Abstract
Towards seed vigour tests for the ISTA Rules for Seed Testing: Principles and standardisation

This presentation will firstly highlight the need for high vigour seeds that will germinate and emerge rapidly and uniformly in the field and glasshouse. The principles that should be followed for the development of vigour tests will be discussed, namely the importance of fulfilling the criteria necessary for a practical laboratory vigour test and the requirement for a sound theoretical basis to the test. The importance of the physiological process of seed ageing to seed vigour will be presented as the basis of vigour tests. Two tests, the controlled deterioration and accelerated ageing tests, based on the whole process of seed ageing will be discussed, followed by the radicle emergence test, based on the rate of germination, the electrical conductivity test which assesses solute leakage from seeds due to changes in membrane integrity and the development of dead tissue, and the tetrazolium test based on the extent and location of living and dead tissue within the seed. The importance of the standardisation of test methods to ensure repeatability within, and reproducibility between, laboratories will be discussed as the basis of test validation for introduction to the ISTA Rules.  

Mr Tim Loeffler
Member ISTA Technical Committee on Vigour
Business Owner, Seed Vigour Consulting LLC

Profile
Tim Loeffler has 40+ years of international seed experience in seed production, processing, technology and quality of both vegetable and field crops.  He has worked for several leading global seed companies and held numerous regional and global roles.  He has a B.S in Crop and Soil Sciences from Michigan State University and a M.S. in Seed Science and Technology from the University of Kentucky. He led development, validation and training of vigour and other tests for several vegetable species using innovative strategies and techniques with practical application on seed physiology decisions. He has led transformational projects in global strategy in vegetable seed production and plant operations with Bayer Crop Science.  He has been providing consulting services to the seed industry since 2020 and is business owner of Seed Vigor Consulting LLC. 

Abstract
Using Vigour Test Results for Management of Seed Inventory

This presentation will discuss the considerations for managing seed inventory using vigour test results with a focus on vegetable seeds.  Discussion will include basic requirements for managing seed inventory, vigour testing strategies and approaches to using vigour test results.  Several vegetable species examples using various vigour test results will be discussed. The presentation will also include the use of vigour ratings with applied examples will be provided.  

EVENT TIME