The Annual 2013 Journal for Breeders and Producers of Plant Material

The Annual 2013 Journal for breeders and producers of plant material

Prophyta 2013.indd 1 02-05-13 09:30 inspections • Quality inspections • Import and export inspections Naktuinbouw safeguards • Plant Passport • Quality-plus systems and enhances the quality, testing and research identity and health of • Health and quality testing horticultural propagating • Seed analysis • Diagnostic testing material • DNA research •2 Disease resistance testing registration, listing and plant breeders’ rights • Research for Plant Breeders’ Rights for agricultural and horticultural crops • Description of varieties education • Regular workshops and trainings • In company workshops and trainings

Naktuinbouw Tel. +31 (0)71 332 62 62 [email protected] www.naktuinbouw.com prophyta annual 2013

ProphytaNAK Tuinbouw.indd 2013.indd 21 02-05-1329-03-13 09:3013:55 inspections • Quality inspections Prophyta the annual 2013 • Import and export inspections Naktuinbouw safeguards • Plant Passport Contents • Quality-plus systems and enhances the quality, testing and research identity and health of • Health and quality testing horticultural propagating • Seed analysis • Diagnostic testing material Prophyta – The Annual 2013 4 In short • DNA research A publication of the Prophyta Disease resistance Foundation in co-operation with 5 Editorial 3 • Blue Bird Publishers testing editorial advisory board Theo 6 Support the Foundation registration, listing and Ruys, John van Ruiten and Jan plant breeders’ rights Timmerman world seed congress 2013 publisher/chief editor Monique 10 ‘Greece made agriculture a myth and a Research for Plant Krinkels science’ • contributing editors Lars Aikala, Breeders’ Rights for Szonja Csorgo, Niels van den agricultural and Dries, Michel Ebskamp, Marianne agriculture and horticulture in history Heselmans, Werner Horn, Casper 14 Ancient Greek philosopher systematized horticultural crops van Kempen, Geert-Jan de Klerk, botanical world Frans Krens, Adrie Molenaar, • Description of varieties John van Ruiten, Hajo P. Strik and Hedwich Teunissen organising isf congresses new rules regarding health claims education cover photograph ABZ Seeds 18 Meticulous preparations create relaxed 32 An apple a day keeps the doctor away • Regular workshops and Gourmet Strawberries atmosphere sub editor Mireille McNutt naktuinbouw accredited laboratories trainings graphic design Marcel Bakker, De Ontwerperij human relationship 34 Reliable test results ensure seed quality • In company workshops production manager Hajo P. Strik 19 Modern technology cannot replace and trainings printed by Global Printing face-to-face meetings naktuinbouw elite ornamentals crops addresses Blue Bird Publishers 35 ‘Clean’ materials within arm’s reach vof, Jan Kostelijklaan 16 1981 cg transparency to help breeders Velsen-Zuid the Netherlands 23 ESA’s Patent Database to go live soon naktuinbouw elite soft fruit phone +31 (0)255 521 852 36 New system promises high quality fax +31 (0)847 510 694 plantum director niels louwaars berries [email protected] 24 ‘Make people enthusiastic about seeds’ www.bluebirdpublishers.com director of naktuinbouw retired prophyta foundation p.o. box 40, 2370 aa 75 years of seedmanship 39 Farewell to Nico Koomen Roelofarendsveen 26 ‘Be innovative and create added value the Netherlands for growers’ genetic modification phone +31 (0)713 326 161 40 Farmers long for drought tolerant maize fax +31 (0)713 326 364 plan and structure for breeders’ rights [email protected] www.prophyta.org 28 Enforcement Protection is only half the detection and identification technologies job 42 Learning from forensic research © 2013 All rights reserved. No portion of contents may be protecting varieties valoya case study reproduced in any form without written permission from the 30 Raiding an alleged infringer requires 45 LED lights improve canola quality publisher. secret preparation The publisher and authors declare rooting in vitro that they have compiled this seeds in space 46 Unexpected effects of deficient gas publication carefully and to the 31 Astronauts need extra-terrestrial food exchange best of their knowledge. However, no warranty or representation is made to the accuracy or the key to hyperhydricity completeness of information 48 Intercellular spaces are filled up with Naktuinbouw contained in the articles. The water publisher and authors assume Tel. +31 (0)71 332 62 62 no liability whatsoever for any [email protected] damage resulting from the use of this publication or its contents. www.naktuinbouw.com Prophyta prophyta annual 2013

NAK Tuinbouw.indd 1 29-03-13 13:55 Prophyta 2013.indd 3 02-05-13 09:30 In Short

China and Australia grant Collaboration gives companies patent to Keygene worldwide coverage

Both the State Intellec- numbers of improved genes A company with ﬁ ve to ten the Hoopman group, is an old tual Property Offi ce of the involved in traits such as employees has limited opportu- family-owned company, over a People’s Republic of China biotic stress resistance and nities to invest in r&d. Another century old. It started as, and and the Australian Patent drought tolerance have restriction is that the size still is, a manufacturer of farm Offi ce granted KeyGene’s been obtained for a number hampers global trade. Last year, equipment but for decades 4 patent entitled ‘High of crops. Results so far Jan-Willem Hoopman created it has been renowned for its throughput screening of included maize plants with a solution to these limitations: seed enhancement equip- mutagenized populations’, improved drought toler- the Centor Group, an interna- ment. Among its products are which protects methods ance, short-stem canola tional collaboration of similar a unique seed drying system for detecting induced and and soybean with altered companies. and equipment for upgrading, natural genetic variation fungal resistance. Develop- disinfection, priming and coat- in large plant popula- ment of these valuable and Regional ing of seeds. “Our customers tions. These methods proprietary pre-breeding It was in 2010 when Jan-Willem are mainly in our own region”, form the cornerstone of materials was completed Hoopman started to explore he says. “On other continents KeyPoint MB programs, within timeframes of less opportunities with company there are similar companies which deliver novel genetic than six months. Sig- owners who faced the same who offer complimentary and variation in selected genes nifi cant cost savings can limitations he met: too small overlapping technologies. The for trait improvement in be made because KeyPoint to become a global player, too plan is that we will act as each crops at industrial scale. mb products do not require enterprising to be satisfi ed with other’s agents and sell each Using this approach, large deregulation. a regional role. His company, other’s products. The advan-

Strawberry F1 Toscana WINNER OF FleuroStar Industry Award Sanoma Garden Award

ABZ SEEDS Vleetweg 12 1619 PR Andijk T +31 228 515 280 F +31 228 520 831 E [email protected] www.abz-strawberry.nl prophyta annual 2013

Prophyta 2013.indd 4 02-05-13 09:31 Editorial

New breeding goals?

Never before has Prophyta included articles covering such 5 a wide time frame. From the ancient scientist, Theophrastus, who created the fi rst ‘classifi cation system’ of plants, and the Greek deity Persephone, who is associated with seeds, to future oriented scientists who are researching whether plants The Centor Group was launched last year at the APSA Congress in can be grown on Mars. The latter might seem far-fetched but Bali, Indonesia us President, Barack Obama, has authorized manned missions to Mars within a decade or so. Former Apollo astronaut, Buzz tage for our clients is that all purchased, there is often little Aldrin, and the Dutch entrepreneur, Bas Lansdorp, have even the services are provided by a practical information or sup- suggested that by 2023, a permanent settlement should be company close to home.” port and little customization founded on Mars. And the 100 years Starship Foundation, So far, the Centor group of those technologies. The fi nanced by the us Defense Advanced Research Projects consists of four seed technol- International Seed Academy Agency (darpa) and the National Aeronautics and Space ogy suppliers. Besides the organises hands-on training Administration (nasa), is preparing for interstellar travel Hoopman Group, it includes as well as a seed captain pro- within the next century. Australian-based Agritec gramme, with speakers from (formerly known as Seed top academic institutes such Even if we leave the stars aside, a decade is not much time in Solutions), Aginnovation llc as Wageningen University, the terms of breeding plant varieties that are able to cope with (a us-based company), Centor Netherlands, Davis University, conditions elsewhere in our solar system. And these varieties Thai and Centor India, based usa, and Kasetsart University, are an essential prerequisite if humankind is ever to explore in Thailand and India respec- Thailand.” the universe, as the basic necessities would have to be satisfi ed tively. Centor will expand this on location. So far, research is limited to whether the mineral year with companies in South Join the team composition of Martian soil suffi ces for known varieties, or Africa and in Brazil, thereby With six companies and two that certain nutrients are lacking. But presumably it will be covering all fi ve continents. institutes spread worldwide, preferable to have special varieties that are better suited to the the Centor Group seems to growing conditions in the domes where the colony will have Added value be complete. Not according to live. To increase the value of coop- to Jan-Willem Hoopman, eration, the Centor Group also however. “There is room for Of course, that does not mean that breeders all over the world invests in r&d and education. expansion. Companies with should shift their attention to breeding extra-terrestrial Rhino Research Technologies, either interesting products plant varieties. Coping with present demands is enough of Thailand, specialises in re- or technologies are welcome a challenge for most of us. Especially as the growing world searching and developing seed to join us. The same goes population will have to be fed, the demand for luxury foods technologies, including seed for companies that can offer is rising and the battle against ‘unhealth’ in the Western enhancements, seed sorting sales efforts. What we want world, due to an unhealthy lifestyle, simply demands an and upgrading, seed coating, to be is the ‘One Stop Global increase in fruit and vegetables consumption. Add to that seed treatments and pellet- Seed Tech Shop’ that operates the consequences of climate change, plant diseases quickly ing, and seed recovery. The worldwide, but at the same spreading over the world and a shrinking availability of International Seed Academy in time close to our customers. suitable farming land, and the endeavour is clear. But that Thailand is a non-profi t com- We are therefore constantly on does not mean that we should not look further than that. pany with the aim of bringing the lookout for opportunities For people who believe space travel is, for the time being, seed technologies within the that complement and enhance mere fantasy: ‘Every great adventure in science has issued reach of most companies. technologies needed and used from a new audacity of imagination’, as the philosopher John “Although new seed tech- by our clients.” Dewey stated. And while he is not a Greek philosopher but an nologies are relatively easy to American, his view on scientifi c evolution seems true enough. retrieve abroad and machines, For more information: protocols and systems can be www.centorgroup.com Monique Krinkels

prophyta annual 2013

Prophyta 2013.indd 5 02-05-13 09:31 In Short

Digital ﬂ oriculture counter opened

Starting on 1 January 2013, a new international digital horticulture counter has been opened by Floricode, the Netherlands. As the name already suggests, it is the intention to centralize all kinds of horticultural business codes and enable all users to exchange information about trade codes and registration codes. 6 Spider in the web code is registering and manag- Floricode, situated next to the ing the name and taxonomic Naktuinbouw in Roelofarends- description (phenotypically) of veen, the Netherlands, is acting products and their botanical as a spider in the horticulture characteristics. Also pictures web of legislation, registration, are taken of all products as an information and data exchange. extra precaution and back-up Blue Bird Publishers is more than The main goal is to facilitate all control. just a publisher in Horticulture. business players in the fi eld of Encoding is the next step. This We are experienced in formulating the horticulture business. This is, is a crucial necessity for the right message for the right customer, indeed, a major step forward, digital trading in fl oriculture, because it depends so much on amongst which are the charac- whether it is introducing a new product different companies expressing teristics according to the regu- or a pin-point description of your interest in so much different lations, the product codes and services. data. The users of the Floricode the gpc (= Global Product Clas- database are growers, trad- sifi cation) codes. Furthermore Or reformulating your Mission Statement ers, breeders, transport and it includes specifi c company, logistics service providers, auc- product and location barcode in Corporate Communications. tions, as well as their software encoding (gs1), logistic means suppliers. and process variables. And also Marketing communications means Floricode follows the Dutch gln (Global Location Number) Communication with a capital “C” to us. initiative Tuinbouw Digitaal allocation is an important part. (Horticulture Digital). This Standardizing is an important very ambitious initiative is goal for a fl awless electronic We provide support in printing and aimed at the combined most exchange of commercial, publishing books and brochures . important Dutch organizations, logistic and fi nancial informa- like the Wageningen University tion through open message Also elaborate articles are offered, and the Dutch Ministry of standards. Floricode is aiming based upon our editorial strength in Agriculture. It aims to be the to join uncefact (United Na- European leader in the fi eld of tions Centre for Trade Facilita- International Horticulture information management in tion and Electronic Business) horticulture chains by 2015, and iso to be able to secure Translations in English, German and worldwide by 2020. As Leo Floricode standards interna- and French are conducted by native van der Zon, ceo of Floricode, tionally. The Floricode website speakers. explains: “We want to be is the central distributing loca- recognized as a compact, goal- tion for all information about oriented and agile organiza- products and services. Also one www.bluebirdpublishers.com tion, enabling the fl oriculture can fi nd a calendar of meetings branch to perform effi cient and events meant to inform the digital business.” fl oriculture branch about the latest developments. Main goals www.fl oricode.com is not There are four main goals for (yet) available in the English Floricode which will cover the language. More information: majority of needs. The fi rst info@fl oricode.com. activity is registration. Flori-

prophyta annual 2013

Prophyta 2013.indd 6 02-05-13 09:31 In Short

Judges enthusiastic about Gold Medal winners

No less than six varieties have been awarded the Fleuroselect Gold Medal 2014. This honour is awarded to novel varieties that have been tested by expert and independent judges and proven to clearly supersede existing varieties in terms of breeding innovation and beauty. These varieties are the trendsetters of the moment, and represent the absolute top in breeding. Fleurose- 7 lect’s Gold Medal Winning varieties are displayed in more than forty Public Gardens across in Europe, the usa and Asia.

▶‘SweetSunshine® ▲‘Profusion Double Hot Provence’ The breeder of Pe- Cherry’ During the trials, tunia cultivars ‘SweetSunshine® Zinnia x hybrida ‘Profusion Provence’ drew inspiration from Double Hot Cherry’ scored the romantic, rich colours of the particularly well in innovation French lavender landscape in and overall appearance. The designing this breakthrough in jury was impressed by this small, double-fl owered petu- annual’s intense, non-fading nias. Selecta Klemm succeeded colour and its outstanding in creating a variety which is garden performance. also early, sturdy and has the The breeders of Sakata cutest fl owers.The judges were Ornamentals created an annual particularly impressed with its with fully double fl owers with vigour and colour shading. non-fading petals.

▼‘Carillo Red’ The Penste- ▼‘Pinto Premium White mon x mexicali ‘Carillo Red’ to Rose’ Gold Medals are of PanAmerican Seed has a awarded to the latest accom- new, strong red colour, is early plishments in breeding and fl owering and has improved this Pelargonium x hortorum upward branching. That makes of Syngenta absolutely fi ts the this seedraised perennial a bill. Having obtained one of the splendid addition to any garden highest scores ever achieved It thrives well in sunny condi- in the Fleuroselect pack trials tions and needs a well-drained, including an exceptional 1.89 moderately fertile soil. ‘Carillo out of a possible 2.0 points for Red’ is best planted in groups innovation, this Pelargonium is and looks fantastic in front of a bound to break records. perennial border, or in a more The judges were unanimous formal bedding style garden. ▲‘Zahara Sunburst’ This in deciding that the variety has ▲‘Sparkle White’ The jury exciting Zinnia marylandica of superb retail value. loved this Gaura lindheimeri PanAmerican Seed scored ex- of Kieft Seed for its excellent ceptionally high in the garden garden performance and trials with a 1.8 out of 2.0 for strong branching habit. This innovation. Especially the new herbaceous plant provides red-yellow bicolour pattern and densely clustered branched the fl oriferousness stood out stems carrying single, white during the trials. The mary- fl owers with a 3.5 diameter. landica species is a hybrid cross Gaura lindheimeri is known developed in the University of for being drought tolerant. Maryland, from which it takes its name, in the early 1980s.

prophyta annual 2013

Prophyta 2013.indd 7 02-05-13 09:31 Our flora and fauna is natural, but cannot be 8 taken for granted

Nature’s wealth is abundant and essential for life. At Rijk Zwaan we are acutely aware of this. We develop the very best vegetable varieties and vegetable seeds, every day again, making use of the raw materials and possibilities Nature has to offer us. But we also accept Nature as it is. After all, our aim is to continue developing new varieties for many years to come and that is only possible if we use our knowledge with respect for Nature. That’s what we believe in. Rijk Zwaan. www.rijkzwaan.com

prophyta annual 2013

421155RZW-adv210x276,2.indd 1 10-03-10 14:29 Prophyta 2013.indd 8 02-05-13 09:31 Support the Foundation

The Prophyta Foundation is an independent non-profi t Our flora and fauna organisation, aiming at informing interested parties worldwide about We greatly acknowledge the companies mentioned below developments in e.g. plant breeder’s rights, breeding techniques, for supporting Prophyta, by either advertising or donating. genetics, biodiversity, technology, regulations, phytosanitary matters Please feel free to contact our secretariat (p.o. Box 40, 2370 and more. Our communication methods include at present our aa Roelofarendsveen, the Netherlands, email: foundation@ is natural, but cannot be prophyta.org) to join membership of our distinguished Prophyta Annual and our website www.prophyta.org. The Foundation primarily works with volunteers, but in order to recover costs for these group of agricultural and horticultural companies, both for 9 activities we need advertisements for our annual magazine and/or further information or for donations. taken for granted direct fi nancial support to the Prophyta Foundation.

Abrasem Brasilia, Brazil www.abrasem.com.br Brazilian Seed Association ABZ Seeds Bovenkarspel, the Netherlands www.abz-strawberry.nl F1-hybrid strawberries Nature’s wealth is abundant and Agri Information Partners Wageningen, the Netherlands www.agripartner.com Computer software essential for life. At Rijk Zwaan we are acutely Agro Business Solutions Grootebroek, the Netherlands www.agrosolutions.nl Computer software aware of this. We develop the very best vegetable Agronomix Winnipeg Manitoba Canada www.agronomix.com Computer software varieties and vegetable seeds, every day again, Bejo Seeds Warmenhuizen, the Netherlands www.bejo.nl Vegetable seeds Corn. Bak Assendelft, the Netherlands www.bromelia.com Bromeliads making use of the raw materials and possibilities De Groot en Slot Broek op Langedijk, the Netherlands www.degrootenslot.nl Allium Nature has to offer us. But we also accept Nature Enza Zaden Enkhuizen, the Netherlands www.enzazaden.com Vegetable seeds as it is. After all, our aim is to continue developing Fleuroselect Noordwijk, the Netherlands www.fl euroselect.com Organisation for ornamentals new varieties for many years to come and that is Hoopman Group Aalten, the Netherlands www.hoopmangroup.com Seed technologies Naktuinbouw Roelofarendsveen, the Netherlands www.naktuinbouw.nl Inspection, varieties, testing only possible if we use our knowledge with Rijk Zwaan De Lier, the Netherlands www.rijkzwaan.nl Vegetable seeds respect for Nature. That’s what we believe in. Suet Saat- und Erntetechnik Eschwege, Germany www.suet.de Pelleting and seed coating Rijk Zwaan. www.rijkzwaan.com Takii Europe De Kwakel, the Netherlands www.takii.nl Vegetable and fl ower seeds Takii & Co., Ltd. Kyoto, Japan www.takii.co.jp Vegetable and fl ower seeds American Takii, Inc. Salinas, CA, USA www.takii.com Vegetable and fl ower seeds Valoya Oy Laskut, Finland www.valoya.com LED grow lights

prophyta annual 2013

421155RZW-adv210x276,2.indd 1 10-03-10 14:29 Prophyta 2013.indd 9 02-05-13 09:31 World Seed Congress 2013 ‘ Greece made agriculture a myth and a science’

Monique Krinkels

10 In mid-April, the “Our country has, despite its rather small size, ity products. For instance, tomato is a characteristic International Seed a large variety of crops. Assisted by the favourable ingredient in many of the recipes and a produce of Federation announced weather, our agricultural and horticultural products national pride. Greeks spend a large part of their in- on Facebook that have superb quality”, states Mr. Vasilis Paisios. The come on food, some 17.3%. The country has the high- the magical 1,500 seed trade association, eepes, embraces 43 com- est consumption of fruit and vegetables per capita in attendance barrier had panies that breed new plant varieties and produce, the eu, reaching 365 kg/capita/year. And while most been reached. Athens process and sell seeds. “Though this does not in- consumers believe that locally grown products are su- will have as many clude all seed producers, as some are relatively small perior to imports, the economic crisis forces them to participants as Rome companies.” buy foreign products in the supermarkets. in 2000, Monte Carlo Paisios is proud of his country and its grand history. “The globalised markets bring cheap products from in 1998, Amsterdam In the invitation he states “Long ago, with an antith- all over the world”, explains Paisios. “They come from in 1996 and Seville in esis expected from developed cultures, we made agri- countries with minimal – if any – regulatory settings, 1990. “It is an honour culture a myth and a science at the same time. A deity, much lower farmers’ income and cheap local curren- to host the isf Annual whose daughter split her life cycle under and over the cies. It is obvious that this situation is not sustainable, Congress in Greece”, earth, and writers like Hesiod and Xenophon that since agricultural income is gradually losing its power says Mr. Vasilis Paisios, took steps towards scientifi c agriculture.” He refers to to keep farmers on their land.” president of the the daughter of Demeter and Zeus, Persephone, who national organising was abducted by Hades, the god of the underworld, Greenhouses committee. “Our seed and who is associated with seeds. She is the personifi - The fi rst greenhouses in Greece were introduced dur- association, eepes, cation of plants germinating in springtime and with- ing the sixties by the Dutch agricultural engineer Paul considers it a challenge drawing into the earth after harvest. Kuypers, or ‘the Dutchman’ as he was locally known. to organise this event.” He emigrated to the island of Syros where he intro- Home products duced modern sowing techniques. A few years later With its perfect climate and many hours of he went to the village Ierápetra on Crete, sunshine, Greece is a perfect location where he started to build greenhouses. to grow agricultural crops, fruit The farmers in the village soon dis- and vegetables. As a result, the covered that greenhouses offered agricultural sector is important the possibility of several yields for the Greek economy. More per year, instead of just one, than 3% of the gdp is earned and became enthusiastic about in this sector, employing greenhouse cultivation. 12.6% of the working popu- His infl uence can still be seen lation. About 31.2% of the today, as half of the green- land in Greece is farmed. A houses in Greece are located third of the agricultural pro- on the island of Crete, with Ierá- duction consists of fruit and petra being the most important vegetables. The Greek government area, followed by the Messara plain. has therefore earmarked agricul- The Peloponnese area holds another ture as one of the four promising Persephone, abducted by Hades, 25% of greenhouses. The remain- sectors as a priority to stimulate the god of the underworld, is the ing 25% are scattered throughout economic growth. The govern- personifi cation of plants germinat- Greece, with higher concentrations ment also wants to strengthen the ing in springtime and withdrawing near major city centres like Preveza, market for its own products and into the earth after harvest Athens and Thessaloniki. The main become less dependent on imports crops that are cultivated in green- of fruit and vegetables. houses in Greece are: tomatoes, The Greek cuisine is an important part of the culture. cucumbers, sweet peppers, watermelons, melons Consumers attach a high value to fresh and high qual- and aubergines. Of these crops, peppers, cucumbers,

prophyta annual 2013

Prophyta 2013.indd 10 02-05-13 09:31 11

Greece produces 500 watermelons and tomatoes are often export-oriented Legislation million litres of wine per cultivations. Legislation in Greece often used to be confusing and year. 10% of the wine The majority of fruit and vegetables produced in hard to understand. However, the major state agencies receives a V.Q.P.R.D.- Greece are intended for direct consumption. In gen- and institutions are reorganising, with the assistance certificate (Vin de eral, domestic consumers regard processed fruit and of eu and imf consultants. With the implementation Qualité Produit de vegetables as being of inferior quality. of reforms on the way, improvements should come Région Determinée), about. but much of the table Small farmers The major government institution responsible for wine has a comparable, Various socio-political and geographical reasons have implementing policies in the agricultural sector is excellent quality led to significant fragmentation of land ownership in the Ministry of Rural Development and Food (mrdf). Greece. More specifically, about 95% of the cultivated The ministry plays a vital role in the following fruit area is owned and operated by small farmers. The and vegetables related fields: average size of land ownership for small farmers is – Granting licenses to import products about 0.1 – 0.4 ha. Consequently, Greek horticulture from third party (non eu) countries suffers from well-known disadvantages to competi- – Inspecting the phytosanitary conditions tiveness, organisation and professionalism that derive of farms and greenhouses from fractured land ownership. – Consulting with European officials in The administration has tried to solve these negative horticultural matters like subsidies, effects by organizing producers groups, but their implementation of European organisation has often been problematic. In some policies and legislation etc. cases, these groups have harmed competitive growers – Implementing modernisation campaigns and also instead. investing independently in cooperation with the According to the isf, the estimated value of the do- Ministry of Development and Competitiveness mestic seed market in Greece is 240 million us$. – Supporting research through Most of the seeds are imported: 47 million us$ of field public research institutions crops and 27 million us$ of vegetable seeds. Greece also exports seeds: 8 million us$ worth of field crops The ministry has a countrywide presence through and 2 million us$ of vegetables. central agencies and departments and special and decentralized agencies. The ministry also has the supervision of a number of other agricultural related

prophyta annual 2013

Prophyta 2013.indd 11 02-05-13 09:31 12

Working with Nature NatureAt different times In different places

Bejo, a name that stands for quality

Vegetable seeds for professionals

Bejo Zaden B.V. • Trambaan 1 • P.O. Box 50 • 1749 ZH Warmenhuizen • Holland Tel. +31(0)226 396162 • Fax +31(0)226 393504 • E-mail: [email protected] www.bejo.com prophyta annual 2013

Working with nature_Maart2012.indd 1 19-03-12 17:09

Prophyta 2013.indd 12 02-05-13 09:31 ‘During their stay European peers in key measures such as foreign direct 13 in Athens, the investment (fdi), labour input productivity and work- multinational delegates force participation, and it suffers from low labour mo- at the isf Congress will bility and fl exibility. At the same time, the recession is enjoy the superb quality rapidly morphing into a jobs crisis, concludes McKin- of our products’, says sey in their report ‘Greece ten years ahead’. Mr. Vasilis Paisios In May 2010, Europe established a temporary rescue mechanism, the European Financial Stability Facility (efsf). Its task is to safeguard fi nancial stability in institutions and organizations. The most notable of Europe by providing fi nancial assistance to euro area these institutions are: Member States. All euro countries stand surety for the – Benakeio Fytopathological Institute: its main amount of 440 billion euro to make loans possible. purpose is to cover phytosanitary matters, Last year, the European Stability Mechanism (esm) but also to study and propose policies to the was founded as a rescue fund for all eu countries. It mrdf on safety and quality issues regarding has a budget of 60 billion euro. esm is now the main agriculture and the minimization of impact to instrument to fi nance new programmes. In parallel to the environment by agricultural activities. the esm, the efsf continues with the ongoing pro- – Geotechnical Chamber of Greece: its main grammes for Greece, Portugal and Ireland. activities regard scientifi c consulting to the mrdf. – National Organization for Overregulation Working Agricultural Insurance (elga) Mr. Paisios is owner of a company that sells agricul- – National Agricultural Research tural inputs. Besides seeds, Alfa Agricultural Sup- Foundation (nagref) plies also produces fertilizers and plant protection with – agrocert : this organization is responsible for the chemicals. There are 85 employees, among them 36 with certifi cation of agricultural production techniques, agronomists spread all over Greece. The existing of- agricultural products and the supervision of fi ces are in Athens, Thessaloniki, Komotini, Larissa, other private certifi cation institutions. Volos, Arta and Heraklion in Crete. Alfa Agricultural The most competitive research institutes are: Agri- Supplies distributes vegetable seeds, maize, turf and Nature cultural University of Athens, Agricultural University forage seeds and industrial crops such as cotton, sun- NatureAt different times In different places of Thessaloniki, Agricultural University of Thessaly fl ower and oilseed rape. and the Agricultural Department of the Technological “The problems with seeds are more or less the same Educational Institute of Crete. Other well-known in- as in most of the medium to small producing coun- stitutes are the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of tries in the world. Basically, this can be summarized Bejo, a name that stands for quality Chania (m.a.i.ch) and the Thessalonica Agriculture as lack of long term planning and investment and thus Institute. reduced research. Furthermore, we have to cope with the obstacles posed by increasingly overregulated Suffering from the crisis national, European and international authorities”, he Greece has been suffering for years from the eco- says. nomic crisis that hit Europe fi ve years ago. The coun- “In general, agriculture in Greece is caught between Vegetable seeds for professionals try entered a deep recession from which it is strug- an expensive euro and a continuous fl ood of regula- gling to emerge. Investment by both the private and tions and controls that steadily increase production public sectors has ground to a halt. Public sector debt costs. Today most of the crops’ prices are set in us$ has increased substantially as the state had to rely on and the parity between the euro and the dollar has not offi cial support loans to fund social payments, payroll been favourable to the income of Greek farmers for a expenses and the fi scal defi cit. In addition to a fi scal long time.” and debt crisis, the country is facing competitiveness and employment challenges. It has lagged behind its Bejo Zaden B.V. • Trambaan 1 • P.O. Box 50 • 1749 ZH Warmenhuizen • Holland Tel. +31(0)226 396162 • Fax +31(0)226 393504 • E-mail: [email protected] www.bejo.com prophyta annual 2013

Working with nature_Maart2012.indd 1 19-03-12 17:09

Prophyta 2013.indd 13 02-05-13 09:31 Agriculture and Horticulture in History Ancient Greek philosopher systematized botanical world

John van Ruiten

14 Much information The classic Greek period, lasting from 800-146 sheep, goats and cows. A limited amount of dairy was about food, drinks, bc, after which the Roman Empire became domi- produced and there were hardly any pastures. crops and use of plants nant, is not only an interesting period for politics, Farmers grew for their own consumption, paid ‘tax’ comes from the time wars, literature and philosophy, but also for the in kind to the landowners and sold their produce of the beginning development of agriculture, trade and science. An- to the urban aristocracy. Small farmers had a lot of of Greek literature cient Greece can be regarded as the place in Europe subservience and respect for the rulers of the state (Homer, around 800 where agriculture, horticulture and viticulture were and cities. There was no power at all for farmers in BC and Hesiod, around introduced and further developed. These methods marketing their products. Every scrap of cultivable 750 BC) and from the came from Asia, especially the Mesopotamia region, soil was used to yield a crop. Irrigation techniques fi rst Greek scientists and from Egypt. were quite well developed. A lot of terraces on slopes Aristotle and especially were cultivated. And the climate for growing most Theophrastus. The International trade crops in Greece is simply perfect. latter was the fi rst to With the troops and offi cers of the armies of Alexan- The diet of ‘the ancient Greeks’ consisted basically attempt to systemize der the Great returning from the battles in Asia from of meat or fi sh, with bread from wheat and spelt the botanical world. 334-323 bc, many new species were introduced. (Triticum spelta). Additionally they used olive oil, In addition, as a maritime nation, Greek traders rapes (Brassica rapa), parsnip (Pastinaca sativa and maintained intensive contacts with countries all possibly also other carrots) and beans like faba around the Mediterranean Sea. Agricultural products beans, chickpeas and lathyrus. Lentil soup was the were introduced and marketed, shipped with the most frequent dish in rural areas. In some years there renowned Greek vessels. The products were stored was an abundance of fruits like fi gs (Ficus carica), in so called amphoras - large, generally 20-40 litre olives (Olea europaea ) and pomegranates (Punica stone/clay/ceramic containers, that could contain not granatum). Also pears and apples were known to the only food, but also oils, wine and other liquid sub- ancient Greeks, but were only available in limited stances. Amphoras quantities. And, of course, the Greek knew all about Besides the use, smell, were sealed with grapes and wine. On many slopes in mainland taste and properties of resin, originating Greece, but especially on the Mediterranean islands, the plants, Theophrastus from the Aleppo grapevines were planted and sweet wines (mainly also describes in ‘De pine (Pinus ha- red) were produced. causis Plantarum’ how lepensis). It is said crops should be grown, that the preference Vegetables from preparing the soil of the Greek for Fresh vegetables were only available in season and and using manure, to wines like retsina, often not for ordinary people in the cities. Important sowing and reaping that has a strong vegetables were various beets and beetroots (Beta fl avour of resin, vulgaris such as chard and radish), onions (that dates back to those originally came from regions near India), fennel times. (Foeniculum vulgare) and celery (‘selinon’, both celeriac and cutting celery). In years with a poor Farming harvest, due to for instance droughts, even oak seeds Most of the food were eaten as basic food. was produced by Homer wrote in the ‘Odyssey’ about the medicinal small farmers. Greece was a so-called urban-agro healing power and benefi cial effects of celery, a plant society. There were many small states with cities/ originating from Egypt. In ‘Iliad’, the horses of Myr- capitals that were often in a permanent state of ‘war’ midons ‘were grazing on fi elds of wild celery in the with each other. Farming was mainly a man’s activity swamps around Troy’. There was also an association and unlike, for example, mining or rowing vessels, or of ‘death’ (used on graves of brave people) surround- building big temples, there was hardly any slavery in ing this plant with its typical smell and dark leaves. agriculture. Animal husbandry consisted of herding Also the use of chicory leaves is reported. Cucurbits

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Prophyta 2013.indd 14 02-05-13 09:31 Wine 15 The wine culture that most probably originated in Mesopotamia around 5000 bc, came to all Mediterranean countries in the following ages. It is assumed that the Greeks learned the techniques of growing wine grapes and making wine from Egyptians and the inhabitants of Asia Minor. Much wine was consumed as it was a disease-free source of liquid. In Homer’s ‘Odyssey’ and ‘Iliad’, two types of wine are mentioned, ‘Promnus’ and ‘Maroneus’. It is not known which varieties were used (the variety concept of course was not known in those days), but from analysis of wine found in amphoras, it is thought that the taste is comparable to a strong Tokaj wine. But it was certainly a very sweet and yet strong wine. And also here: good wine production was not were possible without the consent of Dionysus, the god fi rst of wine. Later on, the tradition and techniques of men- growing and making wines was transferred with the tioned Etruscans to the Roman Empire. in scripts Classical botanical science from Not very broadly known, but nevertheless very Unopened around important, was the work and the knowledge that amphoras can 260 bc, so Theophrastus (371-287 bc) brought to the world. still be found most probably This ‘all round’ academic thinker, who was a follower on shipwrecks these vegetables of the famous Aristotle, is regarded as ‘the father of ancient Greek were introduced of botany’. He presided as head (scholarch) of the trading vessels in that period of Lyceum for more than 35 years, further developing history. Growing the philosophy of Aristotle, studying physics, ethics, crops and a good har- logic, grammar and history. vest were above all under the The Lyceum near Athens was a college and it infl uence and power of the goddess of agriculture: possessed the fi rst, what we now call, ‘botanical Demeter. garden’ in the world. He wrote two books that Apart from using plants for food, fruit and drinks, became famous and that were very infl uential to and tree wood for ships, building and for instru- biology and the understanding of nature until the late ments, the ancient Greeks were familiar with using middle ages. It was the fi rst attempt to systematize plants as medicines or poisons. It is generally the botanical world. In 1483 ad, Theophrastus’ accepted that the great philosopher Socrates commit- ‘Historia Plantarum’ was translated into Latin by ted suicide by drinking a poisonous drink made from Theodore Gaza. The book consisted originally of ten hemlock (Conium maculatum). This poison from volumes. Some years later, also ‘De causis Plantarum’ plant origin was generally used when criminals were (originally consisting of eight volumes of which six sentenced to death by the courts of Athens. survived) was published. Also, ornamental growing was important in ancient It is hard for us to imagine, so familiar nowadays times. Many rituals needed ornamentals and during with the basic understanding of biological processes, feasts fl owers like rose, lily, narcissus and (very that in the days of these Greek scientists, there popular) violets were used in crowns and garlands. was no idea at all about how, for example, the

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Prophyta 2013.indd 15 02-05-13 09:31 the power of teamwork

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Prophyta 2013.indd 16 02-05-13 09:31 The goddess Demeter, sister of Zeus, Poseidon, Hades and Hera, gave the greatest gift to humankind: agriculture, particularly cereals

cutting of stems, many plants were not dead, but 17 could regrow from that point.

Classic taxonomy Of course, the ancient Greeks did not have any idea about the origin of domesticated species. They accepted cultivated species and plants as a gift from God. There was a broad understanding that morphology of plants was unstable and that, depending on the circumstances, certain types of plants would propagation process took place. Even studies by grow. At this time, Theophrastus created the fi rst Theophrastus did not reveal that. In a famous study ‘classifi cation system’ of plants. He was obviously of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera), he wrote: “that interested in the question: “what aspect differenti- it is wise to bring the male palm to the female palm ates one plant from another?” With a special interest because by that action the fruits on the female palm in trees and shrubs, he classifi ed plants into four will stick to the plant and will ripen.” The principle groups on the basis of their use, habitat and dura- of pollination was not yet known. But Theophrastus tion: Trees, high shrubs, low shrubs and herbs (an- detected the process of germination. nual, biannual, perennial). Interestingly he did not For Theophrastus, as for many Greek thinkers, yet appreciate how important fl owers were to plants ‘bringing order in nature’ was important. To (but at the time there was not even a fundamental understand the order of the plant species, many knowledge of the reproduction process in humans scientists made a comparison with humans and and animals). With their galleys, animals. A lot of attention was devoted to fi nding Theophrastus described almost 500 different plant the ancient Greeks the ‘soul’ of plants. Most of them agreed: “the soul species, all of them used by man. Only those plants travelled all over the must be on the cross point where roots and stems had common names. Weeds, herbs, grasses not Mediterranean Sea are connected.” After forest fi res, after winter, after used were not denominated by anybody. Plants were described mainly on the basis of their growth and leaf morphology. Wheat types were referred to as ‘Libean’, ‘Black Sea’, ‘Thracian’, ‘Sicilian’, ‘Egyptian’ and they were described with characteristics such as maturing early or late, whether they had a weak or strong growth, were fast or slowly ripening and whether they had few or many glumes or husks. He described plant species and gave names to Paeonia, Narkissos, Aspharagos, Elleborus, Krokos and Iris. After his death in 287 bc, Athens honoured Theophrastus with a public funeral, which was very exceptional for philosophers. Thanks to him, ancient Greece is not only the cradle of philosophy, ethics or grammar nowadays, but it can also be regarded as the society where the foundation of our understanding of biology and plant science was laid.

Readers interested in learning more about Theophrastus and his contribution to ‘plant taxonomy’ are advised to read the magnifi cent work of Anna Pavord, ‘The Naming of Names’.

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Prophyta 2013.indd 17 02-05-13 09:31 Organising ISF Congresses Meticulous preparations create relaxed atmosphere

Monique Krinkels

For delegates attending From a hospitable congress venue, suitable according to the needs of the event and are inspected the isf Congress one hotels, smooth transportation, a memorable opening during the site visits before these are approved.” thing is paramount: ceremony and gala dinner to well-trained staff, every- nothing should disturb thing needs to be considered before the isf delegates How many times have you been to Greece to a meaningful gathering. and exhibitors arrive. Previously, most of the work prepare the congress? For perfectionist was done by the local Organising Committee, but to- “Having Greek heritage, I have visited Greece quite Nathalie Huguenin, the day the isf Secretariat has the overall responsibility. regularly. For congress matters, I have been to Athens isf Secretariat’s Event Since 2009, Nathalie Huguenin has been in charge of a couple of times. On average, two to three site Manager, this is right the yearly isf Congress, as well as other isf meetings inspections are necessary in the planning phase of up her street. Back in that take place around the world. each congress. I have already travelled once to Beijing 2004, the isf started (China 2014), Warsaw and Krakow (Poland 2015), with the organisation How many years in advance do you start with the and also to France to review the best location for of this year’s Congress, organisation of the event? 2019. Additional site inspections planned before the to make perfectly sure “We start six years in advance. However, due to end of 2013 include a visit to Punta del Este (Uruguay that everything meets today’s fast changing world, it was agreed by the 2016) as well as one last trip to Beijing before the with the isf standards. isf Executive Committee and Board of Directors to isf World Seed Congress 2014. In view of the progressively reduce this timeframe to four years, organisation of the congresses which will be taking which remains a very prudent timeline for an event place in 2015, 2017 and 2018, further site inspections of such size. The selection of the local congress will take place next year.” organizer has been the responsibility of the National Organizing Committees, who could consult the isf How many delegates do you expect this year? Secretariat before their fi nal decision. The congress “This year the ‘early bird’ record was broken with a venues and locations for the social events are chosen total of 1051 registrations, from which 933 are active

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Prophyta 2013.indd 18 02-05-13 09:31 Human Relationship Modern technology cannot replace face-to-face meetings

With smartphones, tablets, notebooks, com- Seed Congress, there’s a feeling of commu- munication satellites and wifi , it is easy to nity because we’re better able to socialize and keep in contact with other people all over the interact with one another. We quickly build a globe. Whether you are on the top of the Mount bond that sets the foundation for trust and, Everest or in the middle of the ocean, the per- ultimately, lasting business relationships. Ask 19 son you would like to contact is just a few but- yourself why you make an effort to attach smi- ton clicks away. Will meeting face-to-face be- ley faces to sensitive emails. And why we put come outdated? extra question marks or exclamation marks at the end of serious e-mails? We know In 1924, seedsmen from all over that we need to overemphasize via the world travelled to London for e-mail because we have the urge the fi rst ﬁ s Congress. In the fi rst to communicate what is normally decades, the congresses were held only possible through face-to- whenever need arose, but since face communication. That’s why 1952, it has become an annual so many people come to the isf event. Why is it that people travel congress each year. And we, at the from all over the planet once a year to Secretariat, work very hard to provide see each other for three days? And has it not them with the best place to meet.” become superfl uous in this time of electronic appliances? Warm human relationship Nathalie Huguenin: “In spite of the faster and Smiley faces easier means of communication available to- Marcel Bruins, Secretary General of isf: “Noth- day, the importance and the benefi ts of face- ing can replace the value of face-to-face com- to-face meetings remain. Travelling from the munication. When people communicate, there four corners of the world to a place where a are not only the words that people say, but also large majority of seed industry representatives the intonation and most importantly, the body will be gathering still has unbeatable value: in language. These latter two items do not come just three days, delegates make hundreds of The welcome party on across very well electronically, so that’s where personal contacts and numerous commercial Monday evening is often a face-to-face meetings come in. And we should agreements that would otherwise require dedi- memorable event. Last year not forget the social part after all the meetings cated travels or lengthy telephone and email in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the are done - these encounters add greatly to the exchanges. delegates were received in experience of coming to a congress. Moreover, the isf Congress is international the Copacabana Palace There are several other advantages of face-to- and unique: it embraces all crops, from cere- face communication: it’s more effective and als to hybrid vegetables, industrial species to things get done. One simple 5 minute con- ornamentals, and all regions - from Europe to versation could eliminate 15 back and forth Oceania, North America to Africa. Breeders, e-mails. And when there are many people in a research scientists, production specialists, meeting, there’s more energy and opportuni- legal counsels, sales managers and business ties to participate and creatively contribute. You consultants all attend the Congress with the can brainstorm more easily and solve a handful near certainty of fi nding new partners, devel- of problems. oping new businesses, creating new opportu- And as I mentioned before, there’s the large nities for their respective companies and get- area of nonverbal communication. Someone ting together with old friends. who frequently checks their watch or yawns is a When I started working in isf, I was surprised sign that it’s probably time to wrap things up or by the commitment of the Congress delegates. change your delivery style and/or subject. The I soon realised that seedsmen and seedswomen opposite is also true; if colleagues are smiling, are special people and they have a special way nodding or leaning forward, you know that of doing business that is based, above all, on a they’re interested. warm human relationship. I now understand When people come together for the isf World why the motto says: Seed is Life.”

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Prophyta 2013.indd 19 02-05-13 09:31 Seed at its best

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Prophyta 2013.indd 20 02-05-13 09:31 Organising ISF Congresses Meticulous preparations

congress participants (delegates and exhibitors) and future will be that experience from each congress will 21 118 accompanying persons. In relation to previous be used in an optimized way to bring the necessary years’ statistics and taking into consideration all improvements for the future ones.” probable registrations and cancellations, we expect approximately 1500 participants (all categories How did you end up in the seed world? included) in Athens.” “I was immerged in the hospitality world throughout my younger years and ‘got the bug’. I graduated from Since the fi rst ISF Congress in Bangalore in 2003, the Hotel Management School of Lausanne, Swit- every year some improvements have been made. zerland, and made my way through hotels, airlines From the way the shipment of materials for the and sports events, enjoying leading teams from 5 up exhibitors is organised, to the free lunches. What to 200 people. Every time I had the same goal and are your plans for this year? challenge of delivering high quality service to very “The big step forward this year is to take advantage valuable clients. After my mandate in sports events in of technology and provide the delegates with an ap- 2008, I saw the job opening at isf, applied and after plication (app) that will work on iPhones, iPads and some rounds of assessments, I was offered the job. Androids and a web version of it for all other phones. Being the Event Manager of the International Seed A mail-out will be sent to all registered attendees Federation since 2009 is a great privilege and honour, early enough prior to the congress explaining the as it focuses strongly on building and maintaining benefi ts and changes, which will allow them to get relationships with our members, delegates, spon- familiarized with the new app and learn all the great sors, exhibitors, media and other stakeholders and features. As a consequence, the printing of the Con- ensures that their satisfaction and expectation levels gress Programme and Delegate list, as was the case during the isf World Seed Congresses and other isf in the previous years, will no longer be implemented. Meetings are exceeded every time.” This change was decided following an analysis of the congress surveys’ responses, which revealed that Due to the economic situation, Greece is over half of the delegates did deem these documents suffering from social unrest. Does the ISF have necessary.” an emergency plan? “According to Marcel Bruins the situation in Greece What are the future plans for improvements? has been monitored continuously and he has “The signifi cant plans for the future are of course followed some of the developments with a certain to better evaluate the needs and expectations of the amount of concern. The isf President and Secretary- delegates and to produce events that exceed expecta- General visited the Greek National Organizing tions and learning experiences. As of 2015, a Core Committee (noc) in 2012 to discuss the progress Professional Congress Organizer (Core pco) has and potential risks. The isf Secretary-General has been mandated to support the isf Secretariat with analysed and assessed the worst things that could the organization of future congresses. Their team happen, and has developed a backup plan for each of is also partly involved for the Athens and Beijing these items. Each year the isf Secretariat takes out Congresses, which will allow them to be fully up-to- congress insurance to provide cover if one or other speed for Krakow in 2015. They were also involved disaster should affect the congress. This year for in the evaluation of countries and especially venues Greece we have taken some additional cover for riots proposed for 2019. The fi rst site inspection with the and strikes and for reduced attendance. These extra Core pco took place a few weeks ago in preparation measures should limit the fi nancial impact to a mini- of that same year’s congress. In previous years, the mum in the case of disaster striking, for example. isf Event Managers started the organization of each Congress insurances, like a lot of other insurances, congress from scratch with a new local pco and, also exclude a lot of things, such as communicable of course, a new National Organizing Committee. diseases or Icelandic volcano action. If those things The greatest advantage of having a Core pco in the happen, there’s very little we can do.”

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Prophyta 2013.indd 21 02-05-13 09:31 Prophyta 2013.indd 22 02-05-13 09:31 Transparency to Help Breeders ESA’s Patent Database to go live soon

Szonja Csorgo

In its position on When starting a breeding programme, a breeder 23 ip protection for plant- must know whether the biological material he related inventions, intends to use ultimately falls under the scope of adopted in 2011, esa a patent application or a granted patent. Although has identifi ed the need there are many publicly accessible patent databases, for more transparency esa’s unique project provides the link between a regarding the patent variety and a patent, information which is currently status of plant varieties not available elsewhere. Due to the lack of availability and committed itself of this information, breeders might be discouraged to increase such to make use of one or other variety which, in the end, transparency. The may signifi cantly impede innovation in breeding and organisation has constitutes a practical limitation of the breeder’s therefore started to exemption. Under plant variety protection law, this develop a database. compulsory exemption to the right allows further This summer it will breeding with a protected variety and the commer- be going live. cialization of the newly bred variety thereof.

Scope and objectives In order to facilitate and increase transparency, esa decided to set up a specifi c database providing information on the patent status of commercially breeding programme. The ability to check whether available plant varieties. In its starting phase, the a particular plant variety is covered by the scope of a database will focus on varieties commercialized in patent should make such informed choices pos- Europe. Nevertheless - since varieties from all over sible. Although esa is targeting breeders in the fi rst the world may be used in a instance, it believes that the database will also be a breeding programme in Europe valuable tool for farmers, growers, public authorities - the long-term goal will be to and others. The database will be publicly acces- widen the scope and to also sible for all interested parties from the esa website. cover other continents. In addi- However, in order to become a user, registration will tion to patents already granted, be required. The database will be launched on 1 July patent applications will also 2013. be covered from the moment of their publication. The main Promotion function will be the search tool In order to avoid any drawbacks in innovation and function that will allow users to make the database a success, commitment by to look through the content companies thereof is crucial. Thus, esa wishes to of the database on the basis promote this tool, which creates mutual benefi ts for of a number of search criteria, all its contributors, on a large scale. A fi rst extensive such as variety denomination, presentation will take place on 27 May during the species, patent number or meeting of the isf Breeders Committee at the isf keyword. Besides this key func- Congress in Athens. Following the public launch, tion, however, many other user further presentations are planned during autumn to friendly tools will be included. various forums such as cpvo or upov. Thus, the main objective of the For further information on how breeders can benefi t database is to allow breeders to from and contribute to the database, please contact make a more informed choice the esa Secretariat, phone +32 2 743 28 60, e-mail when selecting varieties for a [email protected].

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Prophyta 2013.indd 23 02-05-13 09:31 Plantum Director Niels Louwaars ‘ Make people enthusiastic about seeds’

Monique Krinkels

24 Will it be the discussions As far as Niels Louwaars is concerned, the most of the board of isf. We have to groom a new genera- on biodiversity, the important tasks of a national seed organisation is to tion of members of boards and committees to further imminent ban on the create value for the members, e.g. through provid- develop effective national and international associa- use of neonicotinoids, ing a platform where companies can discuss any tions. These changes mean that an organisation such the use of patents important issue, to inform politicians about the as Plantum has to adapt to new circumstances.” versus plant breeders’ consequences of their decisions, to communicate na- Besides that, the companies have changed as well. rights, the scope of tionally and internationally what the views on certain “Many multinationals have a subsidiary in the breeders’ exemption topics are, and to provide practical services for the Netherlands, but their head office is elsewhere. Other or something else members. “And we want to make people enthusiastic members may be large or small companies, family- that will dominate the about seeds. Inviting people to see for themselves owned and often highly specialised. That means corridors of this year’s what this sector is all about makes a huge differ- that finding the common goals within this diverse isf Congress in Athens? ence. Whether they are members of parliament, civil membership requires quite some effort at times.” Niels Louwaars, director servants and local authorities, partners in the value of the Dutch seed chains, and students, we can still amaze them.” Hot topics association, Plantum, One of the topics that is becoming really ‘hot’ in does not want to risk a New generation his view is biodiversity, especially the regulations prediction. “There are Niels Louwaars has been director of Plantum since around access and benefit sharing. “We have invested so many topics that are the autumn of 2011, as successor of Aad van Elsen. energy in that dossier from the outset of Plantum 12 significant to the seed Still relatively unknown in the international seed or- years ago, but now things will really start to happen. industry, and that’s ganisations, he nevertheless has extensive experience There is a draft of an implementing regulation for the the fun of working for in the seed business. After studying plant breeding in Nagoya Protocol in Brussels. It will be extremely im- this dynamic sector.” Wageningen, he worked for ten years in several devel- portant that companies can document the pedigrees oping countries. First as breeder and seed producer of their varieties accurately, and have proof or the of local vegetable crops in Sri Lanka and field crops origins of materials used.” In some crops, genebank in Uganda, later as consultant on regulatory affairs materials and wild relatives of crops are frequently in seed systems in a variety of countries. He was, for used. “Breeders should have unhampered access instance, involved in designing post control and an to these plants and the benefit sharing should be inspection systems, and assisting in the development organised in a practical way.” of seed and breeder’s rights laws in several countries A debate that has been ongoing for several years is in Africa and Asia. When returning to the Nether- the balance between patents and breeder’s rights, an lands, he focused on the internationalisation of Plant issue which was key in last years’ isf meeting. Many Research International, worked at the Centre of solutions are being discussed in parallel in a variety Genetic Resources and specialised in plant breeders’ of forums. rights, which even made him a part-time member One component of a solution Louwaars is based on of the Intellectual Property Chamber of the District what the aircraft industry in the usa did during the Court in The Hague. First World War. “At the time, it was of foremost He is fully aware of the fast changes the seed world importance that new aircraft would be developed. is going through. “A new generation of managers Instead of keeping the patents to themselves, the is coming up”, he states. “There is a generation of American aircraft industry had to throw all their generalist seed experts that manage companies, patents in one basket to be able to design a good and for whom it is natural to spend a considerable aircraft. A similar patent pool is currently under amount of time on collective interests. Today, manag- discussion in our industry.” ers are often either oriented to research, operations, Doing the same for today’s seed industry is, however, or marketing, focusing almost entirely on their own not as simple as it seems. “Most of the globally company. Luckily there are still people who believe operating vegetable seed companies are in favour of in collectivity. For instance, Wim Nijssen, recently that system. But the problem at this moment is that retired as ceo of Takii Europe, has become a member the European Competition Authority has not clearly

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Prophyta 2013.indd 24 02-05-13 09:31 25

‘As long as you like responded to a question whether this collaboration older insecticides have to be extensively used again.” complexity, working among companies could create risks of anti-competi- Upon request of the European Commission, the for this sector is really tion law It is a complex matter.” European Food Safety Authority (efsa) has again great’, says Niels studied the effects of neonicotinoid insecticides on Louwaars Bee concerns bee colony survival, especially clothianidin (Bayer), No less ‘hot’ at this moment is the discussion on imidacloprid (Bayer) and thiamethoxam (Syngenta). the use of neonicotinoids. It was expected that the Neonicotinoids are neurotoxins that are chemically European member states would decide this spring related to nicotine. “They are widely used, especially whether or not the use of these insecticides will be as they have a much lower toxicity in mammals than banned altogether. “It all started four years ago, other insecticides.” when maize growers used badly treated seeds. While The efsa assessed the acute and chronic effects sowing, they spread a chemical dust containing on bee colony survival and development, the ef- neonicotinoids that was fatal to several bee hives”, fects on bee larvae and bee behaviour and the risks Louwaars explains. posed by sub-lethal doses of the three substances. It is obvious that beekeepers are facing difficult The scientists concluded that knowledge gaps exist times. “Bee colonies are threatened from all sides. (based on new and unconfirmed guidelines) and that Over the last decade, we have seen a steady increase it cannot be excluded that pollen and nectar from in bees mortality during winter. Climate change, treated plants might become toxic to bees. Politicians diseases, parasites, lack of suitable flowers, it all ask for a guarantee that the use of such chemicals is plays a part. Dust containing neonicotinoids may safe, a claim that, by definition, a scientist can never contribute to the increased bee mortality rate, but subscribe to. it is certainly not the only factor. Key is that these “The sector has to design its communication on insecticides should be administered properly with such matters very carefully. Scientific results provide good seed treatment methods, and that the chemicals only part of the arguments that are needed; other should not be used unprofessionally (anybody can arguments are required to tackle the many issues buy them in garden centres). When the treated seeds that are rooted in – to put it more respectfully – other germinate, they are protected against harmful insects paradigms about agriculture and food supply. A seed with a minute amount of chemicals. A moratorium association needs to have the skills to deal with such for some seed treated crops, which is currently on the complex processes. I can confirm that we at Plan- table for political reasons, would impair integrated tum are still learning, despite our very skilled staff crop protection. “And I doubt that bees will profit if specialised in a diversity of dossiers.”

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Prophyta 2013.indd 25 02-05-13 09:31 75 Years of Seedmanship ‘ Be innovative and create added value for growers’

26 In 75 years, Enza This May, the head office of Enza Zaden was the had severe consequences for Dutch agriculture and Zaden has grown centre of festivities. In a huge marquis, employees, horticulture, as these branches depended, for a large from a simple seed business relations and students were invited to cel- part, on exports. Foreign countries obstructed trade, shop into a renowned ebrate the 75th anniversary of the company. The party domestic sales dropped and production was too international company, was not restricted to Enkhuizen, the Netherlands. At high. For growers, it was a time of hard work and low with subsidiaries all all locations where Enza Zaden has an office, events incomes. Max Steenberghe, Minister of Economic Af- over the world. The were organised to commemorate the day that Jacob fairs from 1933-1941, described the hardship as ‘the basic concept however Mazereeuw officially started his business. From economic desperation of the gardeners companies has not changed a China to Tanzania and from Australia to Brazil, every and the increasing poverty that goes with it’. bit: be innovative and employee took part. One of the families that were forced to give up create unique products, The third generation of Mazereeuws, Jaap, is at the their independence as vegetable growers were Jan was the adage of helm today. Since 2011, he has been managing direc- and Anna Mazereeuw. Together with their fifteen grandfather Jacob, his tor. And just like his father, Piet, he started working children, they moved from the village Opperdoes son Piet, as well as that for the company as a breeder in the R&D department. to nearby Enkhuizen to make a living. At the age of of the present director, “Over the last fifteen years, Enza Zaden has expanded twelve, their son Jacob started work. At the time, Jaap Mazereeuw. enormously”, Jaap explains. “Together with Kees Enkhuizen was the centre of seed production in the Visser, who sadly passed away last year, my father world. In 1867, the company Sluis & Groot (today succeeded in globalising the company. We have over known as Syngenta) was established, a year later 1,400 employees in 41 locations.” followed by Sluis Brothers (which later became Royal Sluis and is now a division of Monsanto). And these Humble start were not the only seed companies in the city at the There is a world of difference between the Enza Za- time. den of 2013 and that of 1938. In the late twenties and Soon Jacob started to work for one of the seed com- thirties of last century, the economic depression was panies and as he became more and more enthusias- felt heavily in the Netherlands. The economic crises tic, he enrolled in a horticultural evening class at the age of 22. Three years later he received his diploma. Besides his daily work, he started his own business selling seeds to amateur gardeners. His enterprising spirit met with success and at the age of 23 he started the Enkhuizer Zaadwinkel (Enkhuizen’s seed shop) and became a full-time seed seller. Business went well and soon he had to move to larger premises and asked his brother Dirk to join him. At the end of the Second World War, Jacob decided to shift his attention from the amateur market to the professional growers. “Since that moment, the company has never stopped growing”, says Jaap.

R&D From the onset, Jacob was convinced that the company needed its own varieties to give added value. “My grandfather believed in r&d and was willing to invest in it. In the early fifties, he started selection work, for instance, of broad beans culminating in ‘Ezetha’s Witkiem’, an early variety that became very The greenhouse where the company started its breeding activity stands proudly popular with growers.” before one of the buildings. A memory of bygone years By the end of that decade, his son Piet became

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Prophyta 2013.indd 26 02-05-13 09:31 Three generations of Mazereeuw with founder Jacob on the painting, his son Piet and grandson Jaap

current staff as well as upcoming talented youngsters 27 get the training they need. We do that together with the French business school, insead, and some foreign universities.” But Enza Zaden encourages students even before they have become employees. Hence, the day students are invited to celebrate the 75th anniversary. And, together with the University of Amsterdam, Enza Zaden supports the establishment of a horticultural college in the region, to make sure more students will chose a ‘green’ study and become a future employee.

Bright future The future looks bright for Enza Zaden. “Especially Asia shows a fast economic growth, while other markets are slowly recovering from the recession. These market dynamics demand a focused marketing policy.” Enza Zaden believes in integrating partners in the entire production chain, from seed to the final product in the supermarket. “To do so, we have developed the first breeder at Enza Zaden. Jacob had a small several concepts. An example: Tribelli, a sweet mini greenhouse built on the premises and assigned him pepper that has the right size and the distinctive the task of developing a new tomato variety. Within sweet flavour to make it ideal as a healthy snack.” a few years, Piet had a breakthrough with the variety The company has a firm foothold in organic seed ‘Extase’, the first tomato that was resistant to Clado- production. Since 1998, Enza Zaden has been sporium leaf mould. participating in the organic seed company, Vitalis, The original greenhouse where Piet Mazereeuw and in 2012 became full owner. It has become one started his breeding work has been rebuilt at the of the world’s leading companies in organic seed head office. It is a memory of the first investment in production. In addition, Vitalis breeds and selects r&d. Today, the company has over 1,000 varieties an increasing number of varieties in trials all over in 22 crops, to which 150 new varieties are added Europe. “Especially in the usa, there is a growing every year. The investments in r&d have skyrock- demand for organic food. There are even supermar- eted. “We spend 30% of our turnover on research”, kets that are completely organic.” explains Jaap. “That means that last year, 60 million Euros were used to create new, better varieties. Three generations Nearly 650 employees are involved in research and What would your grandfather say if he saw what his development.” humble seed shop has turned into? “He knew. Seven It is one of the reasons the family firmly believes in years ago, whenmy father retired as ceo, he partici- protecting its own inventions. “The inventor has to pated in the festivities. He was proud and satisfied be rewarded”, states Jaap. “We develop novel tech- that his dream to own his own business has grown nologies, overcome breeding barriers and unravel the into this enterprise”, says Jaap. And your father? “He desired properties to create varieties with an added keeps going strong. He concentrates on developing value to our customers..” our Chinese subsidiary. And, no, the fourth genera- To make sure that the Enza Zaden employees are tion is still far too young to decide whether they share among the best, the company promotes education. the interest of three generations of Mazereeuws, who “Since 2010, we have had the Enza Academy, where felt attracted to seeds.”

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Prophyta 2013.indd 27 02-05-13 09:31 Plan and Structure for Effective Breeders’ Rights Enforcement Protection is only half the job

Casper van Kempen

28 A recent review of the Based on the positive results reached by the Anti Sales: does the seed company have direct access to business plan of the Anti Infringement Bureau (aib) since its start three years the customer’s premises (the company raising young Infringement Bureau ago, the members have recently decided for aib’s plants) to monitor the correct use of the genetics indicates that many of continuation for an indefinite period of time. materials. This requires a specific clause in the sales its members rated their It is widely accepted that without intellectual property conditions, and in some countries, a separate explicit companies’ increased protection, one cannot legally act against reproduc- signed agreement. awareness of protection tion of propagating material, so most aib members Sales and customer services: Do you know your cus- and enforcement as the have an ip protection policy in place. But protection tomer’s reputation and working practices? Is your organisation’s most on its own is only half the job - the other half is the sales personnel given guidance when to refrain from valuable contribution. enforcement of the intellectual property (ip) rights. actively trying to sell to a customer? Do you have an It is followed by Enforcement is often regarded as an activity only internal system in place to routinely examine ac- the strengthening involving a company’s legal service, but leading com- counts and seek an explanation for a sudden drop in awareness among panies have shown that the opposite is true: effective sales on an account? Does the company have a single our partners of enforcement involves many departments and levels of point of contact to which sales staff should report our intellectual the company. any suspected infringement in confidence, without property rights. Effective enforcement of ip rights requires a clear the ‘whistleblower’ fearing any comeback? enforcement policy and structure, so company managers should ask themselves the following questions: Dilemma Overall: before rolling out a new variety, do we give ex- The last question is particularly relevant in cases of plicit consideration to the question if the product re- suspected vegetative propagation of protected variet- quires any ip protection? If ip protection is required, ies. The offender is usually a customer with whom what kind of ip protection would be appropriate? the sales rep has an ongoing relationship, posing a Breeders’ Rights protection on the new variety? On its dilemma for the rep, who will be reluctant to jeop- parental lines? Would any trademark be appropriate? ardise that relationship. Is the sales rep equipped to If it is found that ip protection is not required for the explain that the customer is infringing his company’s new variety, it is useful to document the assumptions ip rights, which should be stopped and compensa- underlying that conclusion. tion made? Are we sure the sales reps will report r&d: try to anticipate possible piracy of the variety, all cases of vegetative propagation, even if in their by giving thought to what detection methods and opinion the percentage is relatively small? techniques could be used. Paradoxically, despite the estimated significant Product development and procurement: do you make use of percentages of vegetative propagation of tomatoes in state-of-the-art protection technology (colour coat- Southern Europe, relatively few infringement cases ing, hologram packaging, internet coding, etc.)? have been brought to aib’s attention so far. The likely Procurement and sub-contracting: Do you know your sup- explanation is that many cases are seen but remain plier? How sure are you that they do not do business unreported by frontline people. with ‘pirates’? The aib Conditioning Audit Scheme An effective way to control vegetative propagation recently monitored five pelleting companies who would be to have a third party carry out inspection declared themselves open to audit for identity checks visits, to which the customers agreed in the sales on the varieties supplied to them, to prevent the contract. The inspection agent is impartial and has processing of counterfeited material. more distance from the customer. Any information Sales: how does sales management make sure that all on suspected illegal propagation can be fed to him, infringement situations that sales staff encounter are to be used during the inspection. addressed by them and reported to the company? When selling through distributors and external Legal process agents, have you made it clear to them what to do Another important aspect of enforcement is the legal with infringement suspicions and who to contact in process. In Spain, the rural police are engaged in your company? monitoring and inspecting growers and plant raisers

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Prophyta 2013.indd 28 02-05-13 09:31 29

In Spain, the rural to check on infringements. In Italy, however, this with the partners to explore the feasibility of setting police are engaged in is unfortunately not the case. As ip holders have to up voluntary private schemes on genetic material inspecting growers defend themselves, aib launched a pilot enforcement traceability. Two promising initiatives are already project in 2012, providing support to its members underway. to take legal action in infringement cases. With the In discussions with retailers and processors, they results from a range of identification tests under- broadly subscribe to the principle of respect for taken by aib on lettuces, an aib member company ip rights. A frequent question is how retailers took legal action and obtained permission from the and processors can ensure the integrity of their court to search the alleged infringer’s property. The vegetable sourcing. aib is engaged in a dialogue evidence found there led to a court case which started with globalg.a.p. to examine possibilities for in May 2012 and is still ongoing. a voluntary scheme to link vegetable seed to the Experience of the legal process has been positive, globalg.a.p. Chain of Custody, with the aim of showing firstly that it is feasible to obtain a search allowing processors and retailers to monitor the seed permit on the presentation of reasonable evidence, source of their vegetables. and secondly that the legal system is efficient, The other initiative, which is at a more advanced contrary to earlier pessimistic stories. Another boost stage, is to establish a traceability scheme for young was the judgment in the Rijk Zwaan versus Agriseeds plants with the aim to set up a collective eu trade- case where, for the first time, the court awarded mark for use by plant-raisers who commit to respect substantial damages to the rights holder (€205,000 production guidelines ensuring the traceability from plus a compensation for legal costs). In conclusion, seeds to plants. there is no reason for Italian companies to sit idly by The advantage to the grower is that products bought in ip rights infringement cases. from a plant-raiser who uses the trademark are aib members can now authorise aib to take legal ac- identifiable, providing an assurance that the plants tion on their behalf in infringement cases. This gives delivered correspond to the variety ordered and are less exposure in the marketplace to the individual produced lawfully. Work on the scheme is now in full rights holders, and uses aib as a platform to defend swing. In Italy, a pilot scheme is about to be launched the ip rights of the vegetable seed industry. The first by Assosementi (the Italian Seed Association), and aib legal action was carried out in the Netherlands in the aim is to have the aib scheme for a collective eu March 2013, when aib searched the premises of an trademark ready before the next tomato planting alleged infringing seed company. season in Spain.

Helping our partners A completely separate approach is the dialogue

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Prophyta 2013.indd 29 02-05-13 09:31 Sometimes the police are Protecting Varieties needed to force entry to the seed storage Raiding an alleged infringer requires secret preparation

Casper van Kempen

30 A successful raid in Italy requires good preparation, says Nicola Novaro, the Italian lawyer who is assisting the Anti Infringement “There is nothing more frustrating than to storage were locked and the keys were claimed to be Bureau (aib) and arrive at the offi cial address and to fi nd yourself with people who were not present. “Most Court Ex- breeding companies looking at a deserted, dilapidated house, which only perts will not give in to this kind of hurdle but remain in their actions against serves as an address for administrative purposes”, adamant and calm, until full access is obtained. We infringements. says Nicola Novaro. “If at that moment you have to could have called for police intervention to force our start fi nding the ‘right’ place, you can be sure that entry to the seed storage but, on this occasion, it was there is no longer an element of surprise. In a recent not necessary.” case, our offi ce had to conduct a synchronised raid in Finally, entrance to the seed storage room was two different locations, which were 1,500 km apart. obtained and seed samples were taken by the Court It is essential to check beforehand that the address of Expert from the various batches of allegedly infring- the company’s legal seat is the actual centre of activi- ing seed. This took time, but going through the ties and not just a deserted postal address.” entire supply chain information from the company, from seed purchase orders, seed pelleting orders, Surprise and customer lists, was much more time-consuming. To ensure that the raid is a complete surprise, it As the entire document trail was available in printed is also important, once a search order warrant is fi les, there was no need to search the computer fi les. obtained from the Court, not to inform the authori- Copies were made of anything indicative of alleged ties where the search will take place until the very infringement actions, including technical sheets, last moment. “Do not underestimate how easily this invoices and catalogues. kind of information is leaked, in particular in small “It is often a challenge to fi nish this administrative local communities”, Novaro says. “We travelled to a search in one day. In some cases, we have to come nearby town that same evening, and started our raid back the following day”, Novaro says. “But in this early next morning. The local bailiff accompanied the case, the work was rewarding: it became apparent team, which consisted of the Court Expert, a repre- who had propagated the seeds, where the seeds had sentative of the right holder, a local lawyer and me. been conditioned and to whom the seeds had been When we entered the premises and made the purpose sold and at what price.” of our visit known, we, fortunately, could sense that our visit came as a total surprise.” Amazing conditions Novaro noted that fi rst there was disbelief, then op- According to Novaro, it is sometimes amazing what position. However, this was quickly overcome when kind of conditions you come across during the the bailiff showed the offi cial search warrant. “While search. “Even the most basic phytosanitary condi- we started our search activity, the other party tried to tions in processing, storing and packaging of the mobilise his lawyer, who appeared after some time.” seeds are not complied with.” This kind of situation Another round of legal skirmishes took place, in can be grounds for fi ling complaints at the govern- which the alleged infringer tried to challenge the va- ment inspection agencies, as a separate action from lidity of the search warrant (lack of notifi cation) and, the infringement case. when this was not effective, the method in which the At the end of the search, the bailiff has to close the search was conducted. “The trick is to stay calm, and search activity and seal all seized materials, pho- not to be distracted by the sometimes blazing emo- tographs and documents. This, together with the tions, and especially to ensure that the Court Expert Court Expert’s fi nal report is sent to the judge. In is properly guided in his or her activity.” a subsequent hearing, the judge will decide about further investigations of the seized material, such as Other barriers were erected: the doors to the seed technical examination of the samples. prophyta annual 2013

Prophyta 2013.indd 30 02-05-13 09:31 Seeds in Space Astronauts need extra-terrestrial food

Monique Krinkels and Hajo P. Strik

Since 1972, no one has 31 set foot on the moon, but there are many plans to travel beyond the earth’s orbit. nasa, for instance, introduced its Hundred Year Starship programme in 2010 to send people on a one-way trip to Mars and, recently, travelling to an asteroid was suggested. In the near future, food will have to be produced in outer space and thus astro- varieties will be needed. foto: vicspacewalker / Shutterstock.com

Last year Dutch astronaut, André Kuipers, stayed schools in the region of Moscow and some in the in outer space for 193 days, a world record. It was his Dutch Antilles joined in. They all copied the experi- second flight and it gave him, again, a new perspec- ment from the iss in their own classrooms, where tive on the world as we know it. He performed several plants’ growth is determined by the laws of gravity. experiments with seeds which gave new insights into genetic material behaviour. He shared his findings Alien soil this spring at a future-oriented meeting of Incotec, This spring, Wieger Wamelink, researcher at Alterra world leader in seed technologies. Wageningen ur, started to study whether plants will survive in Martian soil or moon dust. “We already Erratic growth know the mineral composition of the soil on the During the Dutch Soyuz mission delta, in the In- moon, and of moon dust. So what I’m aiming to ternational Space Station, André Kuipers germinated find out now is whether plants will grow in moon some rucola seeds, in Dutch called ‘rocket salad’ substrate, or whether certain essential elements are (how appropriate) in a weightless, completely dark lacking”, says Wamelink. box and showed that roots developed erratically. After He will compare the requirements of certain species he made a hole in the box, the seeds immediately of plants with the mineral composition of the soil started to orientate towards the light. The project on the moon and Mars. Alterra has a database that was part of a national programme to evoke interest in can analyse 25 abiotic preconditions per species science. In the Netherlands, 80,000 students between and calculate whether a plant species will survive the ages of 10-14 participated in the experiments. In or not. The database also stores information about addition, 80,000 German pupils, a few local Russian heavy metals and minerals, although as yet there are

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Prophyta 2013.indd 31 02-05-13 09:31 Seeds in Space New Rules Regarding Health Claims An apple a day no fi xed preconditions for these elements. Using this data, he will be able to determine which plant species would theoretically be capable of growing keeps the doctor in moon dust or Martian soil. Wamelink: “We will then allow certain species of wild plants and agricultural crops to germinate away in pots of artifi cial moon and Martian soil supplied by nasa. The growth of these plants will be compared with that of the same species in ordinary Monique Krinkels soil from the Earth. Preconditions relating to heavy 32 metals and minerals will be derived from our fi nd- In the European Since 14 December 2012, health claims for food ings. Our research is based on the premise that an Union, the use of have become forbidden in the European Union, unless atmosphere will be available to the colony, perhaps health claims has permission is granted. That permission depends on in domes or buildings. We are also assuming the been restricted the scientifi c proof that the food indeed has the prom- presence of water, either from the moon or Mars or to scientifi cally ised effects. During the transition period, over 44,000 transported from Earth. The plants would produce proven effects. If health claims have been submitted. Nearly 4,000 have oxygen and recycle carbon dioxide, ultimately a fruit seller states been presented to the European Food Safety Authority creating a kind of ecosystem.” that apples contain (efsa), the scientifi c bureau for food safety. This bu- vitamin C, which reau was set up in January 2002, following a series of Disease-free contributes to a food crises in the late 1990s, as an independent source It is doubtful that seeds in space will spontane- healthy immune of scientifi c advice and communication on risks as- ously remain disease-free, Kuipers warns. Even in system, he is sociated with the food chain. efsa assessed the 4,000 the International Space Station, where everything breaking the law. claims and approved 222 of them. That means that the and everybody is checked for unwanted life forms Medical claims are standards are set very high. before entering, green spots and smears appear on forbidden altogether. fabric and instruments. He explains that farming On neither label Complex matter on other planets is not something that is easily nor packing, any Broccoli growers may no longer claim that their pro- realized. In hostile environments, where no oxygen suggestion that a duce helps to prevent cancer due to the anti-oxidants is available for man, plants can produce it using nutrient may cure, it contains. But producers of mushrooms, on the co2, and water can be found in frozen soils. A sin- treat or prevent a other hand, may state that their products contribute gle disease, however, can be fatal for the complete disease is allowed. to reducing fatigue. At least if a normal portion of food production of a human colony. Even in Bio- the fi nal food product the mushrooms are used in, Sphere 2, the experiment where people voluntarily contains suffi cient niacin to have this effect. The goal shared a closed environment for years and where of the new eu-regulation is to protect consumers all technical support was available from outside in against unjustifi ed claims. A claim can be any notice case of an emergency, crops started to deteriorate or indication in commercial statements, including and seemed to lose resistance properties. illustrations, graphic presentations or symbols that Kuipers is convinced that one day there will be a might implicate that there is a relation between food colony on Mars and future technologies in growing or a food ingredient and health. will support successful results. He emphasised If a grower suggests an unapproved health claim that it will set new breeding goals in relation to for commercial purposes, he might be fi ned by the high nutrition demands, stress sensitivity and national food authorities. However, according to the other yet unknown factors. European Responsible Nutrition Alliance, which has

Future challenge Non-commercial advice Seed in its pure, sheltered form is in fact the most non-vulnerable product as has already been “Eating the right nutrients, vitamins from phospholipids, proteins and fat. demonstrated by nature. Everybody knows the and minerals helps our brain to The combination of nutrients such stories of ancient seeds, being able to germinate function properly”, explains Professor as unsaturated fatty acids, uredines, after many centuries. Or the palm trees growing Philip Scheltens, director of the VUmc choline and vitamins can improve from nuts that have travelled thousands of miles Alzheimer Centre in Amsterdam, the the functioning of the membranes. It across hostile salt water oceans. Seed technology Netherlands. “Patients with dementia has been proven that large amounts may in future have to aim for (very) long shelf-life suffer either from malfunctioning of essential nutrients restore the storage and for germination accelerators. Space synapses (a part of the connection memory of patients with an early travel is still too far away for concrete breeding between neurons), too few synapses form of Alzheimer’s. What it means in plans, but it is, in any case, a future challenge for or a low quality connection. These the long run, however, has yet to be seed companies. synapses consist of membranes built discovered.”

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Prophyta 2013.indd 32 02-05-13 09:31 The claim that apples It has not been scientifi cally proven that anti-oxidants contain vitamin in for instance broccoli help prevent cancer C and therefore contribute to a healthy immune system is not the correct dosage is. The effects of homeopathic 33 allowed to be used products have, after all, never been proven scientifi - commercially cally, thus they are not approved by epsa. As a consequence, the discussion on the working of homeopathic products is banned from websites, magazines and other media from July onwards. The suggested solution is that pharmacists who sell homeopathic products explain the working of these concoctions in a face to face discussion with their customers. The European Commission has not yet decided whether or not health claims on herbs and herbal potions are to be included in the new regulations.

Advice Advice on food and health in a non-commercial criticised the eu-regulations, the guidelines are not relationship is still permitted. Research reveals that as black and white as they seem. The organisation in 25% of all conversations with a general practitio- has therefore published a document on their website, ner, food is a topic of discussion. It demonstrates www.erna.org, to help food producers to adhere to that the awareness of the dangers of obesity and the law. For the European consumer organisation, other food-related problems has grown. For doctors, beuc, the new regulations do not go far enough, the battle against ‘unhealth’ has been for a long time especially if it comes to food claims. Liquorice a matter of prevention of infectious diseases and ac- producers, for instance, may still try to cut a dash by cidents. They have had impressive results. Nowadays, mentioning that their products contain 0% fat, even the prevention of damage by an unhealthy lifestyle though liquorice never contains any fat. is foremost on the agenda. These welfare illnesses are linked to overconsumption, insuffi cient physical Unforeseen side effects exercise, alcohol abuse and smoking. The new regulation has unforeseen side effects. It In contrast to infectious diseases and accidents, is, for example, no longer permitted to have labels that have nothing to do with choices, there is not The claim that the niacin in on homeopathic medicines stating for which illness much support to restrict the freedom of choosing a mushrooms reduces fatigue it is meant to be used. If the label used to say that a certain lifestyle. It took a long time before smoking is approved by the European certain product promotes calcium absorption, it will was banned from public places, for instance, even Food Safety Authority now only state what it is, what it contains and what though the risks were clear to everyone. Forcing people to live healthier is a hopeless endeavour. Non-commercial advice The most obvious thing Scientists have identifi ed many an important element of brain tissue in these vegetables improves the to do is therefore to nutrients that help the brain to Apple: fresh apples can repair power of concentration encourage a healthy function properly: damaged brain tissue Garlic: has a protective effect on lifestyle. Promoting Strawberry: a rich source of Green asparagus: protects the brain cells healthy choices such antioxidants which protect neurons small blood vessels and decreases Carrot: has a protective effect on as, for instance, eating against infections. These fruits delay the risk of a stroke brain cells naturally healthy fruits the process of ageing of the body Almond: cleans the brain of harmful Celeriac: contains choline which and vegetables seems and thus the brain substances improves memory the only practical way to Bilberry: strengthens the signals Avocado: ensures a healthy blood Asparagus: contains folic acid prevent ‘unhealth’. And between neurons circulation in the brain which speeds up the functioning of luckily doctors are still Olive oil: contains arachidonic acid, Green leafy vegetables: the iron the brain and keeps the spirit young allowed to do so.

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Prophyta 2013.indd 33 02-05-13 09:31 Naktuinbouw Accredited Laboratories 34 Reliable test results ensure seed quality

nal is an offi cial Naktuinbouw Accredited Laboratories (nal) the test according to either an internationally agreed accreditation system of was fi rst presented at the ﬁ s Congress at Oostende, protocol, Naktuinbouw’s own standard protocol or a Naktuinbouw, based Belgium, in 1994 and founded to facilitate interna- Naktuinbouw approved in-house company protocol. upon annual external tional seed trade. nal is the exclusive domain of seed In addition to the audits and review of protocols, ac- audits by or on behalf of companies. The 14 accredited companies together are credited laboratories have an obligation to participate Naktuinbouw. It has the responsible for the bulk in terms of value of mar- in nal profi ciency tests in relation to the tests for objective of accrediting keted/exported seeds of vegetable crops (see www. which they are accredited. Participation is not seen as seed companies and worldseed.org). a formal obligation. On the contrary, the participat- their laboratories The laboratories of these companies (or when ing laboratories welcome the results, because it gives for issuing quality/ outsourced other nal or asln accredited labora- them information about their performance. For 2013, health certifi cates tories) carry out quality and health tests on seeds Naktuinbouw has chosen the pathogens Pepino mo- giving adequate and and/or (parts of ) plants. More information about saic virus, Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michi- correct information the tests for which these companies are accredited ganensis, Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. phaseolicola, on marketed seeds. can be found on the website of Naktuinbouw (www. Pseudomonas syringae pv. porri, Xanthomonas naktuinbouw.com). hortorum pv. carotae, Acidovorax avenae subsp. Currently, the ‘nal Conditions 2013’ are in force. citrulli, Xanthomonas campestris pv. Vesicatoria Adrie Molenaar These conditions are an improved version of earlier and Peronospora valerianellae to be included in the issues of the nal Conditions (1994 and 2009) and profi ciency test programme, as well as germination, based upon three modules: quality management practical plant test, purity and thousand seed weight. system, sampling and An important issue is to realize broader international testing. acceptance of nal certifi cates by offi cial authorities Accredited laboratories (on varieties, on seed quality and health). Naktuin- Currently (with the year of fi rst accreditation) the Process oriented bouw is taking that challenge on board and is active following are accredited: Bejo Zaden b.v., nl (1995), An nal accredited in communicating its programme with national plant Syngenta Seeds b.v., nl (1996), Nunhems b.v., laboratory is allowed to protection organisations. nl (1997), Rijk Zwaan Production b.v., nl (1998), issue nal quality cer- Sakata Vegetables Europe s.a.s., f (2001), Monsanto tifi cates with test results Extensions Holland b.v., nl (De Ruiter Seeds (2002), Seminis from tests for which an Naktuinbouw is working on further extension of the Vegetable Seeds Holland (2003) and Western Seeds accreditation has been nal accreditation with other (optional) modules, (2005)), Enza Zaden Seed Operations b.v., nl (2003), granted. This is possible such as Accredited Sampler, Accredited Field Inspec- Incotec Europe b.v., nl (2006), Nickerson Zwaan at any time when seeds tion and Verifi cation Programme Varietal Identity. b.v., nl (2006), Vilmorin s.a., f (2006), Germains are going to be shipped, They will become active and available next year. Seed Technology, nl (2007), Nunhems usa Inc. because nal is a process (2010), Hazera Genetics Ltd., il (2011) and Takii oriented system. The Europe b.v., nl (2013). laboratory must carry out

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Prophyta 2013.indd 34 02-05-13 09:31 John van Ruiten

Naktuinbouw Elite is 35 a certifi cation system Naktuinbouw Elite Ornamentals Crops especially for vegetative propagated material from ornamental crops. Participation ‘Clean’ materials is on a voluntary base and requirements are in addition to within arm’s reach legal requirements.

The Naktuinbouw Elite system is based on quality management system and several times a year Participants the former Elite-certifi cation schemes of naks, Naktuinbouw will conduct a control sampling of the Accredited participants which have been running in the Netherlands since mother plants at the production locations. Those are: Anthura b.v. (nl), the 1960s. Due to globalization of the propaga- samples are tested in the Naktuinbouw Laboratory Beekenkamp Plants tion market, these certifi cation schemes have been and, when found to be free of pathogens, crops can (nl), Elsner Pac Jungp- internationalised and been running worldwide since be certifi ed. fl anzen (Ger), Florensis 2001. In total, 24 companies are accredited with 36 (nl, pt), Gedifl ora (be), production locations worldwide in Belgium, Co- Platform Grunewald Veredelings lumbia, Germany, Guatemala, Kenya, Macedonia, Naktuinbouw offers a platform for the participants b.v. (nl), Hilverda- Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain and usa. Ap- to discuss and further develop certifi cation schemes. Kooij b.v. (nl), Impe- proximately 250 genera of ornamental crops, which The board of Naktuinbouw is the body responsible rial Plants and Horti are tested for almost 60 pathogens, are included in for deciding about changes in the requirements in Products b.v. (nl), the certifi cation schemes. the certifi cation schemes. Once a year, a meeting for InnovaPlant GmbH & all participants is organised to discuss the progress Co kg (de), Iribov b.v. Clean material of the Elite system and the use of this quality mark, (nl. pl, mk), Könst One of the objectives of the programme is to give the fi nancial aspects, changes of protocols and develop- Alstoemeria (nl, co), companies the opportunity and support to produce ments in international legislation. Moerheim New Plant ‘clean’ (disease-free) propagation material. This is b.v. (nl), PanAmerican achieved by involvement of all participants as well as A recent example of this are the new requirements Seed Europe b.v. (nl), independent audits and sampling. Another objective for Potato Spindle Tuber Viroid (PSTVd), which Sakata Elite Propagation of Naktuinbouw Elite certifi cation is to obtain easier is a pathogen also on the agenda in the eu since (usa), Selecta Klemm access to international markets with high standard 2006, mainly because it could be a threat to the food GmbH & Co (be, es), propagation material. To achieve this, Naktuinbouw industry. Due to the occurrence of this pathogen in Stokman Rozen Kenya regularly informs several delegations of national ornamental crops, testing of relevant crops (mainly Ltd. (ke), Syngenta plant protection organisations about the Naktuin- Solanaceous plants) for this specifi c pathogen Seeds b.v. (nl, ke, gt), bouw Elite system. was implemented in the Naktuinbouw certifi ca- Van Zanten Plants (nl), A quality management system has to be installed in tion schemes in 2007. Since then, there has been vci Nederland b.v. (nl), order to be in control of the production of ornamen- a lot of discussion in the eu about the status of all Vitrocom Holland b.v. tals. In order to start with clean propagation mate- Pospiviroids (10). Naktuinbouw Laboratory is closely (nl), Vitrofl ora (pl) and rial, all new mother plants have to be tested accord- involved in developing a general test for all Pospi- Volmary (de). ing the certifi cation protocols. To keep the mother viroids. This test has now been implemented in the plants free of pathogens, the production facilities schemes since 2012 and is applicable to more crops. have to be up-to-date and hygiene protocols have to The approach of Naktuinbouw Elite is to prevent be installed. infections by using the very latest techniques instead At least once a year, Naktuinbouw will audit the of waiting for an outbreak of disease.

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Prophyta 2013.indd 35 02-05-13 09:31 Naktuinbouw Elite Soft Fruit New system promises high quality berries

John van Ruiten

36 The quality of plant A standard quality and phytosanitary inspection also to Rubus (raspberries and blackberries) as well. material is of great establishes if the material meets the minimum stan- The new regulations are reconstructed and updated importance, especially dards set for varietal trueness, varietal purity, health to the latest global requirements. One of the new in cultivation when the and quality. These standards are based on European topics is the certifi cation possibility for varieties production of young legislation. With the standard quality inspection, propagated from tissue culture (and have proven to plants is requiring the producer is responsible for the quality of the be stable and propagated without abnormalities). several years. The propagating material supplied. In each eu country The new Elite Soft Fruit system is operating since quality-plus system this is monitored by authorities periodically inspect- 2013. In the Netherlands 48 propagators participate Naktuinbouw Elite ing the companies. Deliveries are made accompanied in the Naktuinbouw Elite Soft Fruit system. Soft Fruit assures by good supplier’s documents and a plant passport. The Elite system gives an extra guaranty above the the quality of the Producers of propagating material who appreciate standard phytosanitary inspections that make part propagation material being rewarded for all the extra care and attention of national regulations in every eu member state. to soft fruit producers. they devote to their crops can choose for quality-plus Choosing for participation in Elite is on a voluntary Since January 2013, systems that demonstrate the added value or superior basis for propagators. Every individual company this quality-plus quality and health of their young plants. Propagat- decides whether they join or not. The regulations system obtains besides ing material that meets the stringent high standards of this Elite system are composed by Naktuinbouw strawberries also may be marketed with a Naktuinbouw quality brand specialist and representatives of the propagators. The raspberries and . (Naktuinbouw Elite®) and/or certifi cate. standards are formally set by the Board of Naktuin- bouw. In the Netherlands over 95% of the strawberry More assurance plants produced are in one of the Elite grades. The production systems of strawberries en raspberries change rapidly at the main production areas Certifi ed mother plants of Europe and elsewhere. One of these changes is Naktuinbouw provides services at the Test Center for related to the increasing demands of quality soft the breeders and propagators as they want to com- fruits in the supermarkets. Such a retail and consum- merce with their new advanced or acquired breeding ers demand needs high investments in farm facilities, product. A candidate plant, selected by the breeder, knowledge and not at least a high quality of planting enters the system in February. These individual plants materials growers starting. Consumers expecting to will be tested on a relevant (‘Full’) traditional (but receive the same quality around the year and nowa- surely not outdated!) way of indexing on indicator days they also like to be informed who has produced plants is also an important part of the program. the berries they just bought. During the process of testing (that needs normally The change in new varieties get the impulses of these one growing season) the candidate plant is able to demands. New varieties once introduced have a produce young runner plants. These plants are both much shorter life cycle. In de last years the amount of the starting material for nurseries to speed up the fresh raspberries sold is growing in the market and quantities at their nurseries and also these plants the propagating system is changing from open fi eld are to be maintained as the prebasic material to start propagation to greenhouses in substrate. further propagation next years). Since many years an excellent operating quality Now the status has become Super Extra Elite (see). If system is available for strawberry plant nurseries a new variety becomes to be successful, propagators in the Netherlands. Those Dutch nurseries use this require new see mother material every following independent Naktuinbouw monitored system to year. The ‘improvement’ for the breeding programs improve health and trueness to material and varieties. is to have their varieties under an approved system Labeling and traceability is an essential instrument to from the beginning, in this case the breeders has the give more assurance to soft fruit producers. Planting control in supply of all plant material. Naktuinbouw materials identifi ed by Elite labeling and certifi cates Test Center in Horst offers this testing facility and make the distinction in the market. makes an agreement with the breeder for additional Recently the Elite system for strawberries is widened services. More and more breeding programs in

prophyta annual 2013

Prophyta 2013.indd 36 02-05-13 09:31 Pyramid of plant propagation

Candidate plant C Individual plants to be tested for relevant pathogens (EPPO) Identity check according to the va riety description Checking the fruit for crumbliness High standards of hygiene in Candidate plant screenhouses

SEE Super Extra Elite Annual testing for relevant pathogens (EPPO) Checking the fruit for crumbliness Identity check for ‘off types’ High standards of hygiene in SEE screenhouses

SE Super Elite Certified Plants originate from SEE High standards of hygiene in SE screenhouses Intensive inspections Sampling when relevant

EE Extra Elite sto ck Plants originate from SE Plants grown on separate fields Intensive inspections 37 E Elite Plants origina te from EE Plants grown on fields with certified stock only Intensive inspections

Certified plants

European member states and from the usa as well bly Fruit can have several causes, for example infec- fi nd their way to this Test Center Facility. tion with the raspberry bushy dwarf virus (rbdv), Most of the bigger propagation nurseries have their less optimal pollination, infestation by gall mites or a own insect free screen houses. see mother plants spontaneous genetic mutation in plants. starts runner production under high hygienic condi- Testing for viruses is a permanent part of the tions and under control of a Naktuinbouw inspector. program the Test Centre carries out on raspberry and In this year the grade of the produced daughter plants blackberry varieties. For certifi cation, this material become one level lower at Super Elite (se). The Elite has the see-status. A specifi c test is aimed at fruit system allows to make an extra propagation step abnormalities caused by mutation. Spontaneous (generation) at this se level as long as the condition mutation in a mother plant can lead to the spread compares to the regulation. After a maximum of two of mutated descendants that produce crumbly fruit. year se (se1 and se2) propagation in greenhouses, Susceptibility for Crumbly Fruit mutation can already plants move outside in the ‘open’ fi elds to be propa- be genetically determined in a parent plant of a gated as Extra Elite (ee) mother plants. To give an variety used for crossing. indication of quantities a variety arrives on a number Some varieties are known to be more susceptible to of several 100,000 plants, started from one candidate Crumbly Fruit than others. On an international level, plant at the beginning three years ago. The end of growers are confronted each year with quality losses the propagation cycle, the ‘lowest’ category, is the E caused by Crumbly Fruit in production plantations. grade Elite (E) that, of which the plants are sold to Plant propagators therefore require greater assur- the farms for fruit production. ances about the absence of Crumbly Fruit in propagating material. Focus on health Strawberries and raspberries are very susceptible to Naktuinbouw Test Center many diseases. With the increasing international Naktuinbouw has test facilities for health of fruit trade of plants, diseases don’t have the specifi c crops (soft fruit, stone fruit, pome fruit) since the late origin anymore. Diseases move with plants around 1980’s. This Test Center serves programs for testing, the world. Changes of climate circumstances and heat treatment and maintenance of varieties or new increasing greenhouse productions are factors of breeding products that are allowed for certifi cation. consequence of these diseases in many countries Candidate program’s has different time schedules, and continents. The Elite Soft Fruit system focus on from one year for strawberries and up to four to fi ve risks assessments on the nurseries, hygiene is the key years for a pear variety. Tests for pvr applications for word in this frame. Naktuinbouw trains nursery men cpvo trials are also part of the services. The facility on awareness of the risks taken on their farms. This has the license 2008/61eg that makes it possible for helps to improve the knowledge for making daily making importations for trial purposes from third decisions easily. countries in cases the health status doesn’t comply Crumbly Fruit is the name of an important disorder with the eu requirements. The Test Center provides caused by incomplete drupelets setting and very often their services to international customers that have the seen in raspberries and blackberries. This results in intention to introduce their new varieties on a high fruit that consist of 30% to 50% less well developed health level, trueness to variety according to their duplets than normal fruits of the same variety. Crum- time frame.

prophyta annual 2013

Prophyta 2013.indd 37 02-05-13 09:31 The software for the seed industry

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prophyta annual 2013 www.agrosolutions.nl Agro Business Solutions, Het Voert 9, 1613 KL Grootebroek, the Netherlands

Prophyta 2013.indd 38 02-05-13 09:31 Director of Naktuinbouw Retired

Farewell to Nico Koomen

Monique Krinkels

After a period of Succeeding former director Grooters, Nico professional audits and profi ciency testing as more than 38 years of Koomen became director of nakg, the inspection benefi ts. service in nakg and service for vegetable and fl ower seeds, in 1976. Nico Koomen can also be seen as the founding father Naktuinbouw, Nico In the period up to 2012, the inspection service of ecas, the European Certifi cation body for the Koomen stepped down grew considerably. The merger with nakb in 2000 agricultural sector. During the mid-1990s, the use last year as director of created an organisation working in the whole of quality management systems as an instrument to the Inspection Service fi eld of horticulture, in quality and phytosanitary safeguard product quality was also seen by Nico as an for Horticulture in inspection, as well as variety registration and testing important tool for improvement. the Netherlands as he for plant breeders’ rights and also offered a broad Last but not least, his role as secretary of the reached retirement age. range of laboratory services to companies globally. Prophyta Foundation should be mentioned. For Today, John van Ruiten is Managing Director of over 25 years, he promoted the journal, contributed Naktuinbouw. He has already worked as director of articles, initiated interviews and played a vital part inspections of the organisation for many years. in developing the journal into the international magazine it is today. Contribution During the farewell gathering that was organised Well-equipped to thank Nico Koomen at the premises of So, after his retirement, Nico Koomen leaves behind Naktuinbouw in Roelofarendsveen, his an organisation that now serves as a well-equipped contributions to the seed sector were remembered. and very professional inspection agency, a leading Amongst many initiatives, particularly the dus testing station for plant breeders’ rights and international nal system, created in the mid-1990s, a service laboratory developing and using state-of- can be mentioned. With this system of accreditation the-art protocols. In the coming years, Nico Koomen of vegetable seed companies and their laboratories, will continue his activities as chairman of the the foundation was created for using the laboratory Netherlands Horticultural Council, the organiser of test results of private companies to value them in the Floriade and of the annual Netherlands Growers’ an offi cial capacity. In addition, the nal system Award. offered participating companies periodical

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Prophyta 2013.indd 39 02-05-13 09:31 Genetic Modifi cation Farmers long for drought tolerant maize

Marianne Heselmans

40 In the United States, Last summer, the Midwest of the United States was strength, resistance to stem rot and starch content, a new drought tolerant dryer than it had been in fi fty years. For hours one but not on drought tolerance, he explains. The claim maize variety has could drive past maize that was brown, wilted and that a variety is drought tolerant is in fact diffi cult for been introduced on much too small. Because of the continuous heat and farmers to verify. Every small plot reacts differently the market. Critics of the lack of rain, many farmers were only allowed to to drought. He advises Dutch farmers to provide genetic modifi cation, irrigate every second day. The damage was estimated additional vegetation on drought-sensitive plots, so however, favour at 18 billion us dollars. No wonder farmers are that the roots can conserve water. And to grow winter smarter irrigation desperate for drought tolerant maize varieties. maize instead of fodder maize, because these already and fertilizing. start to ripen in July. But Dutch farmers have little Brand new experience of drought; the plots are small enough to There is now such maize. Starting in February 2013, spray every day and water is (still) cheap. farmers in Kansas, Colorado and Arkansas can buy Dick Inze is more optimistic about the new gm a new maize variety from Monsanto and basf. It maize. He is Professor in Plant Biotechnology at the is called DroughtGard and was tested last spring University of Gent and founder of CropDesign, the and summer. On the 250 trials fi elds, it produced plant biotechnology company that basf took over in on average 8% more kilos of grain per hectare than 2006 for more than 10 million euros. Inze’s group conventionally bred maize, according to the website is not performing tests with maize farmers, but he of DroughtGard (www.genuity.com). has seen the harvest fi gures on the website. And he DroughtGard is the fi rst genetically modifi ed crop, is surprised that this maize variety is outperform- in a long line of stress resistant gm grains, expected ing the conventionally bred drought tolerant variety to arrive on the market during the next few years. AuqaMax, from competitor Dupont, by almost 10%. Grains that will tolerate higher temperatures, lack of “But we still have to see how good the variety will be water and fungi. The us company Monsanto and the in the market,” he says. “DroughtGard is obviously German company basf have been working together performing well in controlled fi eld trials where maize on it since 2007 and have earmarked a total of 2.5 was given water at set times. In ‘normal’ farming billion dollars for gm maize, soy bean, rice, rape- situations, rainfall is much more unpredictable.” seed, cotton and wheat. DroughtGard is their fi rst joint product. Amongst others, also the American- Chaperone based Dupont and the Swiss Syngenta are developing This fi rst DroughtGard variety is still straightfor- similar grains. These big investors are targeting the ward. Only a little synthetically-made dna has been American, Asian and Latin-American seed markets. incorporated in the maize dna. It contains a bacteria They are avoiding Europe as they consider the Euro- gene, derived from Bacillus subtilis, and some extra pean admission criteria to be too strict. dna that ensures that all maize cells have a continuous, ample supply of this bacteria protein. This Doubts ‘alien’ bacteria protein protects the maize against one Last summer, at the peak of the drought, the of its reactions to drought, namely the misfolding of American press was already discussing DroughtGard crucial hereditary mrna molecules, after which the and its possible successors. Are these varieties the production of protein is messed up. That disturbs solution for the anticipated droughts? The Union several processes, for instance growth. The Bacillus- of Concerned Scientists in Washington expressed gene encodes for a so-called chaperone protein that scepticism about the incorporation of dna cas- covers the mrna and protects it. The chaperone- settes. “That technique is going to make a very small protein of the bacteria allows the plant to grow better contribution against very high costs”, predicted the even in dry circumstances, the inventors claim. organisation in its June 2012 report, ‘High and Dry’. But the continuous and overall production of bacteria Gert Veldhorst, project manager at consultancy fi rm proteins costs energy, which in ordinary years can dlv Plant at Wageningen, also has his doubts. In the reduce the production of maize grains. But, accord- Netherlands, farmers select their maize to include ing to Inze, both companies have worked together

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Prophyta 2013.indd 40 02-05-13 09:31 41

Kernel maize is very to develop more subtle varieties, in which the genes Conventional solutions susceptible to drought are only active at certain times of the year or only in Critics such as the Union of Concerned Scientists certain parts of the plant. Maize is especially sensitive fear that gene technology will make the grain seeds to drought in the week that pollen is produced. It very expensive. What all should be incorporated into would therefore be more energy-effi cient to have the a plant? Sometimes short periods of drought are protective bacteria gene only active just before pollen interspersed with torrential rain, sometimes there production starts and only in the organs that are are weeks of water shortage or periods in which high involved. This is already possible. temperatures cause stress. Different dna cassettes All multinationals are already working on the next will be needed against different types of stress to phase. The maize of 2020 or 2030 will contain mainly give farmers some security. The organisation would synthetic dna, based upon the knowledge of the rather see more investment in cheaper conventional natural maize genes – of hundreds of genes and their breeding. It appeals for breeding programmes in interactions. With that knowledge they produce for crops that need only a small amount of water, such as example a so-called dna-cassette which ensures that amaranth, sorghum or alfalfa. the stomata remain closed for longer during drought, Inze recognizes that the development of each new so that more water is retained. About forty to fi fty gm maize variety will indeed cost approximately 100 genes that are involved in this process have already million euro (120 million us$). But he expects that been identifi ed. Another cassette-in-the-making it will become much cheaper. According to Gurian- provides additional amino acid like proline, and/or a Sherman, agronomist at the rather worried Research- sugar like raffi nose; two substances that attract water ers’ Association, gm varieties will however remain into cells. A third cassette produces more or longer expensive for the next twenty years – he does not roots, also a process in which dozens of genes are want to give any predictions for the period after 2032. involved. Larry Wagner, agronomist at the South Dakota State Inze’s group has recently granted licences to basf University, also showed concern, in the Washington to develop yet another cassette, namely one that Post on 15 August last year, about the huge invest- actively maintains the growth buds. Grains naturally ments multinationals now make in drought-tolerant stop mitosis in the growth buds already in mildly dry grains. “I sometimes worry that we place too much conditions to prevent the new leaves or ears from emphasis on genetics”, he wrote. “Signifi cant prog- withering. But a farmer will always give some water, ress has also been made in growing techniques.” is the reasoning of the researcher. Therefore such a According to the Iowa State University, the tolerance precaution is not necessary in the fi elds. The ‘Bel- of American maize against drought is improving by gian’ cassette thus contains synthetic pieces of dna 1% each year thanks to improved growing techniques which stimulate cells in the growth buds to maintain and conventional breeding. The question is whether growth in mildly dry conditions. that little is enough to keep up with the expected increasing droughts in the Midwest of the usa.

prophyta annual 2013

Prophyta 2013.indd 41 02-05-13 09:31 Seeds & Customised Services Detection and Identifi cation Technologies Learning from forensic research

42 VANDIJKE SEMO BV is a dynamic Dutch Michel Ebskamp and Hedwich Teunissen enterprise, founded in 1914, with almost a century New techniques are becoming available for rapid of experience in sowing seeds and currently one detection and identifi cation purposes in the sector of the largest Dutch enterprises in production, of seeds and plants - not only for pathogens in plants, but also for systems (e.g. hygiene breeding and processing of seeds, presents measures) and tracking and tracing. Currently, in a broad range of products and services. the Netherlands, some new projects are ongoing to apply this technology in the seeds sector.

Our main activities are • Seed production on contract of grass seeds, spinach, rape seed and all other arable crops in the Netherlands During the last 10 years, dna-based techniques • Seed cleaning with specialist unique (pcr) have been introduced for the detection of many equipment for cleaning all kinds of seeds pathogens. For big scale routine testing, the use of elisa as a sound and robust technique to assess the • Breeding of catch and green manure crops, like fodder health of batches of seeds/plants/mothercrops (from radish with high levels of resistance, white mustard, a cost price background) is still appropriate. But as soon as the testing of individual plants (or plantlets) brown mustard and amongst others Avena Strigosa to be used for further selection and propagation is • Specialising in combating soil-borne diseases required, the focus is generally on pcr. Primers and Domestic sales of forage grasses, amenity grasses, protocols are widely available. Real-time pcr assays • are used with TaqMan probes to further increase maize, cereals and green manure crops specifi city. • Seed processing by adding value through Last year, Naktuinbouw invested a lot of effort into using dna-based genotyping to identify different seed cleaning, seed coating or pelleting isolates/pathovars/forma specialis. Knowing the • Also full services are offered in logistics and packaging unique dna fi ngerprint of the isolate responsible for an outbreak or an infested crop provides new opportunities to fi nd the source of infection (the origin) in propagation systems, as well as in seedlots Please contact us at the ISF conference for more details. and batches of marketed plants. Clear examples are available in pathogens such as Clavibacter Vandijke Semo BV michiganensis (tomato) and Xanthomonas P.O. Box 2, 9679 ZG Scheemda campestris (cabbage), in which this approach has The Netherlands already been proven to be successful. Phone +31 (0)597 59 1233 Further scanning of isolates and infected material Fax +31 (0) 597 59 3030 will extend the current database with specifi ed Mail [email protected] information that will be helpful for both inspection URL www.vandijkesemo.nl agencies and companies.

Luminex The Luminex technology is a multiplex detection system that uses colour-coded paramagnetic

prophyta annual 2013

Prophyta 2013.indd 42 02-05-13 09:31

VanDijkeSemo.indd 1 29-03-13 14:36 Detection and Identifi cation Technologies Learning from forensic research

The percentage of microspheres. Specifi c antibodies are bound plant - a diagnostician will evaluate their deuterium in the natural to these paramagnetic microspheres and viral relevance and come to a diagnosis (for example water varies and that or bacterial plant pathogens will bind to these in testing pospiviroids). might help determining labelled beads. This technology is already widely the origins of a plant used in hospitals and can also be used for Isotopes animal and plant pathogens. The advantage is A promising technique for identifying and separating that multiple pathogens can be detected in one various origins (production locations/regions) of sample. The Luminex technology can also be plant material lies within the use of stable isotope used to detect multiple dna fragments - research ratios. Currently, a research project on the use of is being done to further develop this technology. isotope ratios has started to see if this technology Unraveling the human dna sequence took will be helpful to investigate questions regarding more than ten years and cost over a billion both homogeneity and also origin of plant and seed dollars. With Next Generation Sequencing material that is marketed. For this purpose, the technologies it is now possible to obtain the isotopes present in water (hydrogen and oxygen) are whole dna sequence of a complete organism investigated. (such as bacteria) for less than 1,000 euros. The basic principle of the technique is that the Every year we can obtain more data for less amount (%) of deuterium in the natural water supply money. This development opens up many varies all over the world (as is also the case with possibilities and applications. For example: isotopes of nitrogen and oxygen). Testing material sequence the complete genomes of Clavibacter in cases of uncertainty and when there are questions michiganensis strains and related bacteria about traceability will most likely lead to information that are non-pathogenic on tomato to discover that will be helpful. It is expected that the technique the dna responsible for disease and design (already in use in forensic research/customs pro- a very specifi c detection test. Or discover the grammes) will be widely available within a few years unknown pathogen in a sympomatic plant doing for business purposes and for inspection agencies. diagnostics by sequencing. Use dna sequences to discover infringements on Plant Breeders’ Seed and plant companies interested in Rights and use this data as evidence in a court information and development (in their products/ case. crops) of techniques as mentioned in this Another application for deep sequencing is article are kindly invited to contact the r&d being developed for diagnostics, based on the department of Naktuinbouw, the Netherlands, at sequences of pathogens found in a diseased [email protected]

prophyta annual 2013

Prophyta 2013.indd 43 02-05-13 09:31 ICT specialists in Seed Business

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prophyta annual 2013

Prophyta 2013.indd 44 02-05-13 09:31 ICT specialists in Seed Business

• Combination of innovation and no-nonsense • Flexible tailor made solutions • Global market leader in Breeding Software Lantmännen sw Seed, Using High Pressure Sodium Lights as Combining Valoya leds with High Pressure Sodium 45 an international seed supplementary lighting produces weak plants Lights improved plant growth signifi cantly to produce company with its with elongated hypocotyls compact and strong plants head offi ce in Svalöv, Sweden, has been Valoya Case Study able to signifi cantly improve the greenhouse cultivation of oilseed LED lights improve rape (Brassica napus) Agri Information Partners supports your business using Valoya led lights. The light solution is canola quality a hybrid use of both Agri Information Partners B.V. PO box 251, 6700 AG Wageningen, The Netherlands traditional High Lars Aikala and Werner Horn Pressure Sodium Lights P: +31 (0)317 - 47 13 00, F: +31 (0)317 - 47 13 01, E: [email protected], internet: www.agripartner.com (hps) and leds. Oilseed rape is a very important crop and oilseed rape seedlings. They found that the use of valued for its oil for food and fuel. The development Valoya leds together with the existing hps lamps in of new oilseed rape varieties is driven by higher pro- the trial greenhouse improved plant quality to a level ductivity demands and also by more specialized end similar to the high quality of plants grown outdoors products, for example for biofuels production. during the summer, i.e. strong, compact and with E-Brida; top of the Bill Breeding Software In the breeding process of new oilseed rape variet- very short hypocotyls. Light intensity is not different ies, the young plants are cultivated, typically during compared with hps alone and, when both lamps are the winter in greenhouses, using supplementary combined, the positive growth effect is due to the lighting to improve or enable growth. Tradition- spectrum of the Valoya led lights. ally, High Pressure Sodium Lights (hps) have been Improving the quality of plants without slowing used for illumination. Plant quality has deteriorated down the production time is very valuable for seed during winter months due to the poor quality of the companies, as development programmes for new • Save time in your working process hps light spectrum. The poor quality of the oilseed plant varieties are costly and can take as much as rape plants appears as elongated hypocotyls. These 15-18 years. Each plant in the breeding programme • Breeding information on location hypocotyls make transplantation of the plants into receives signifi cant care and analysis during this the fi eld more diffi cult, causing damage to the plants time, which leads to a high cost. Thus, a strong plant and thus compromising their survival through the equals high survival rates and, therefore, protection • Secured breeding knowledge breeding programme. The plants should be compact, of the investment therein. strong and have short hypocotyls. Plant quality can The oilseed rape seeds were sown on 10 December be partly improved by lowering greenhouse tempera- 2012 and grown until 7 January 2013 in the green- • Improves your team effectiveness ture, but this leads to a longer production time. house at a temperature of 10°C. When they matured Lantmännen sw Seed has been working with Valoya to ‘6 leaf stage’, they were placed into vernalization at • Accelerate your variety introduction lights both in Sweden and in Germany. The Lantmän- 2°-3°C for a minimum of 6 weeks at low light inten- nen sw Seed team in Germany tested the effect of sity. The plants were then transplanted to the fi eld in different light sources to improve the quality of the early March 2013.

About Lantmännen SW Seed Lantmännen sw Seed is an About Valoya Valoya is a provider of energy-efﬁ cient LED grow international plant breeding and seed company. The core business lights for professional use. Valoya led-lights have been developed is the development and marketing of new plant varieties and the using Valoya’s proprietary led technology and extensive plant Join the next generation breeding! production of seed. Cereals, oil seeds and forage grasses and photobiology research. Valoya’s customer base includes numerous legumes are the main crops. It is part of Lantmännen, a cooperative greenhouses and research institutions all over the world. More Agri Information Partners B.V. PO box 251, 6700 AG Wageningen, The Netherlands which is owned by 33,500 Swedish farmers. It has more than 10,000 information: www.valoya.com employees, operates in 19 countries and has a turnover of sek 36 P: +31 (0)317 - 47 13 00, F: +31 (0)317 - 47 13 01, E: [email protected], internet: www.ebrida.com billion. More information: www.swseed.com

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Prophyta 2013.indd 45 02-05-13 09:31 Rooting in Vitro Unexpected effects of deficient gas exchange

Geert-Jan de Klerk

46 With conventional Rooting of conventional cuttings and microcuttings, an airy cuttings (cuttings produced in tissue culture) is an substrate is beneficial obligatory step in vegetative propagation of most for the development crops. In a previous issue of Prophyta, the back- of a vigorous rooting grounds of adventitious rooting were discussed and system. When rooted in also the choice between in vitro and ex vitro rooting vitro, the microcuttings was dealt with. For rooting in vitro, microcuttings are stuck into a are cultured for several weeks on a solidified nutrient solidified nutrient medium to which a low amount of auxin is added. medium that is poor in Ex vitro rooting is similar to rooting of conventional oxygen and that allows cuttings in which a high dose of auxin is added as a much less diffusion of pulse when the cuttings are planted in soil. Each of Figure 1 Shoots rooted at a very high concentration gases. This article deals these methods has its advantages and disadvantages of iba (1 µM is optimal). Note that sts, an inhibitor of with the striking effects and it depends of the crop which prevails. ethylene action, increases the number of roots and of this reduced gas When microcuttings are rooted in vitro, not only reduces callus. diffusion on rooting. does the level and the duration of auxin treatment differ from ex vitro rooting, but also the rate of gas (0.3 µM) or a high (10 µM) concentration of the exchange by the section of the stem in which the auxin naphthaleneacetic acid (naa) and increasing new roots are formed. The diffusion of gases in air is concentrations of sts were added. At 10 µM naa, sts 10,000 times faster than in water. We examined the promoted rooting. At this high auxin concentration effect of poor diffusion on the formation of the new apparently so much ethylene was produced that it adventitious roots for ethylene and oxygen. We com- became inhibitory. At 0.3 µM naa, the concentration pared microcuttings that are stuck into the medium of ethylene in the shoots was adequate and sts was with 1-mm stem slices cut from the stem of microcut- inhibitory at high concentrations. tings and cultured on top of the medium. There are We did a similar experiment with slices. Much to evidently more differences between shoots and slices our surprise, we were unable to replicate the ef- than the rate of gas exchange, most notably possible fect of sts (Figure 3). With the ethylene synthesis interactions of the root forming stem tissue with inhibitor aminovinyl glycine (avg), we obtained the other organs (e.g., apex, young leaves). same results (promotion with shoots, no effect with slices). We also examined the effect of the addition Ethylene of ethylene. As ethylene is a gas, it is complicated Ethylene has a vast effect on root and shoot regen- to administer it to tissues that are submerged in the eration. Its effect is, however, complex and difficult medium. Therefore we added 1-aminocyclopropane- to unravel. A complicating factor is that auxin, the 1-carboxylic acid (acc), a direct precursor of ethylene hormone that induces adventitious root formation, in its biosynthetic pathway. acc can be added via the strongly increases ethylene synthesis. For apple medium and is rapidly metabolized to ethylene after explants, the amount of ethylene that was released uptake by the tissue. acc promoted rooting in slices into the headspace of a tissue culture container was and inhibited rooting in shoots. This indicates again increased several fold when auxin was administered. that in shoots there was too much ethylene in the Figure 1 shows the effect of silverthiosulphate (sts) tissue where the roots regenerated, whereas there on apple shoots rooted at a high concentration of was too little in slices. Added hormones are rapidly auxin. sts is a potent inhibitor of ethylene action. sts deactivated after uptake by plant tissues, either by increased the number of roots, reduced callus growth oxidation or by conjugation (with a carbohydrate and allowed more growth of leaves. or an amino acid). Ethylene is an exception. Plants An increase of ethylene synthesis at a high concen- regulate its level by letting it diffuse out of the tissue. tration of auxin can also be deduced from Figure 2. This explains the results summarised above. Ethylene In this experiment, shoots were rooted with a low accumulates in tissues that are stuck into the medium

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Prophyta 2013.indd 46 02-05-13 09:31 Figure 3 Figure 4 slices shoots 8 8 12 IAA + FA

IAA 10 6 6

8 no STS 4 10 µM STS 4 6

-1 4 -1 2 2 2 IAA + FA IAA

roots per shoot/slice 0 roots slice 0 roots shoot 0 0 1 10 100 400 0 1 10 100 1000 47 shoots slices IAA (µM) IAA (µM) Figure 3 Effect of sts because it cannot easily escape. Therefore its en- we used an auxin that is not oxidized, naa, there with shoots and slices dogenous concentration gets too high and ethylene was still an effect of ferulic acid but much less. The at a high concentration inhibitors (sts and avg) become promotive and acc second effect is related to an overall protection of the of naa. inhibitory. In slices, ethylene can easily escape from tissue by which is can regenerate more roots. This the tissue and the effects of sts, avg and acc are just overall protection was the cause of increased rooting Figure 4 Effect of ferulic the opposite way round from shoots. with naa. acid with slices (left) and We examined the antioxidative capacity of ferulic shoots (right). Ferulic Oxygen and oxidative stress acid by measuring its effect on iaa oxidation using acid only acts with slices. The promotion of rooting by auxin was discovered 14C-labeled iaa. When iaa with a 14C-atom in the in the 1930s. It was the first commercial application carboxyl group of the molecule is oxidized, 14co2 of plant hormones. There has been much research is released. 14co2 can be trapped in a koh solution to find new substances that promote rooting and and measured. We found that oxidation of iaa was various have been discovered. Phenolic compounds almost completely inhibited by ferulic acid. are the most promising. It should be noted first that The experiment with 14C-labeled iaa was also their action depends upon the chemical structure and carried out with shoots. The oxidation of iaa was at some may even be inhibitory. We first examined a least 20 times lower than in slices. This was caused range of phenolics with slices and found that ferulic by the anaerobic conditions at the site of the wound. acid (a methylated diphenol) gave the best results In shoots, protection was not necessary. Accordingly, closely followed by phloroglucinol (a triphenol). ferulic acid promoted rooting of shoots only slightly Promotion by phloroglucinol has been reported (Figure 4b). before by several researchers. The optimum concen- As noted before, many authors report that another tration of ferulic acid was 0.3 mM. The high concen- phenolic compound, phloroglucinol, strongly tration indicates that it does not act as a hormone promotes rooting of shoots. The different effec- because hormones usually operate in the µM range tiveness of ferulic acid and phloroglucinol may be (0.1-30 µM). brought about by differences in pKa values. The pKa A laborious but very informative method to gain more determines at which pH compounds are positively insight into the interaction between a compound and or negatively charged or noncharged. A noncharged a hormone is to determine its effect on the dose- molecule can penetrate membranes much more eas- response curve of the hormone. iaa shows a typical ily and therefore may enter cells. Because of its pKa, bell-shaped dose response curve when added alone: phloroglucinol penetrates more easily into the cells at low and high concentration there was no or little than ferulic acid. The wounding-related oxidative effect, but at intermediate concentrations there was a stress is localized in the apoplast and in the medium. large effect (Figure 4a). When a dose-response curve Other oxidative stresses are located within the cells was made in the presence of 300 µM ferulic acid, two among others oxidative stress due to anaerobiosis. main effects become clear. Ferulic acid promoted, The promotion by phloroglucinol may be related to but only at the low and intermediate concentrations its beneficial effect on these stresses. of iaa. Second, the maximum number of roots increased. To jump immediately to the conclusion, Conclusion both effects were due to alleviation of an oxidative We did not foresee the differences in response of burst brought about by wounding when cutting the slices and shoots to ethylene and ferulic acid at all. slices. By this oxidative burst, the auxin we used, They show that the physiology of plants should indoleacetic acid (iaa), was oxidized. Therefore, be scrutinized and that especially the differences ferulic acid worked especially at low iaa concentra- with the ex vitro environment should be taken into tions and not at supraoptimal concentrations. When account.

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Prophyta 2013.indd 47 02-05-13 09:31 The Key to Hyperhydricity Intercellular spaces are filled up with water

Geert-Jan de Klerk, Frans Krens and Niels van den Dries

48 When leaves of aquatic The importance of internal air spaces is also deposition of epicuticular wax. Hyperhydric stems plants are cut off demonstrated by the way plants adapt to waterlog- exhibit reduced lignification, hypertrophy of paren- under water, they ging of the soil. The plants that do survive waterlog- chyma tissue, large apoplastic spaces and abnormal immediately float up to ging have the ability to modify their roots and have organization of vascular bundles. the water surface. This created air channels by programmed cell death of On the physiological, biochemical and molecular is caused by the large long strands of cells. levels, hyperhydric plants also displayed marked quantities of air in the The primary importance of air spaces is that they characteristics: a low chlorophyll content, reduced intercellular spaces. enable rapid diffusion of gases like O2, CO2 and photosynthesis, decreased lignin synthesis, less The abundance of air in ethylene within the plant. Diffusion of gases in air lignin and cellulose, and high levels of ethylene. aquatic plants indicates is 10,000 times faster than in water. Fast diffusion More recent research showed the occurrence of a crucial function of the of gases is severely hampered when the gas-filled reactive oxygen species (ros) and enzymes related to internal air spaces in the intercellular spaces are filled up with water. Here anoxia. In hyperhydric tissue, stress specific proteins physiology of plants. we show that hyperhydricity is caused by the filling (Binding Protein, BiP) have been found. of the intercellular spaces with water instead of air. Hyperhydricity, also called vitrification or glassiness, Excess of water is a physiological disorder that is frequently observed Numerous articles deal with hyperhydricity in tissue in tissue culture and is often devastating in applica- culture, an estimated five hundred to one thousand. tions of tissue culture. Many are about the effect of tissue culture conditions on the occurrence and severity of hyperhydricity, al- Extreme conditions ways judged by visual assessment. In addition, there For plants, the in-vitro conditions are very unusual are many articles on anatomical and biochemical and extreme. The constantly high relative humidity characteristics as discussed in the previous section. (rh) (99.5%) is one of the major abnormalities. It The profusion of hyperhydric characteristics has has a marked effect on leaves and leads to various actually obscured the key factor, the excess of water aberrations. Well-known are the nonfunctioning sto- within the plant tissue, even though this has given mata. In tissue culture, the stomata are always open the disorder its name (Greek: prefix hyper = too and they stay open after planting in soil leading to much; hudoor = water). Water is the key factor be- extensive wilting during acclimatization. Originally, cause hyperhydricity disappears when the availability it was believed that this wilting was caused by water of water is reduced by adding more solidifier (agar loss because of limited wax deposition on the exterior or gelrite) or when the rh is lowered by ventilation of the epidermis (epicuticular wax). or by bottom cooling. How extra water causes the However, later experiments showed that the nonhyperhydric symptoms has almost never been criti- functioning of the stomata is the most important cally examined. factor in water loss. The wax deposited on the inside The water content of hyperhydric tissue has been of the epidermis (intracuticular wax) is apparently measured by only few authors, for example, as sufficient to prevent evaporation via the non-stomatal percentage of the total fresh weight but the increase pathway. It was also found that the stomata from in was only little. We found in apple shoots an increase vitro plants did not respond to the plant hormone of 85.2%-86.0%. For proper quantification, the local- abscisic acid (aba). aba is the main signal for plants ization of the extra water must be taken into account. to close their stomata when they experience drought. The localization has been studied critically only by Another abnormality caused by the high rh is Karleen Gribble from Sydney. Using nmr imaging hyperhydricity. Hyperhydric leaves are brittle, curled, and an environmental scanning electron microscope, translucent and glassy. Microscopic investigations she showed that hyperhydric plants have an excess of revealed large intercellular spaces in the mesophyll water in the apoplast. and a reduction of the palisade layer. The surface of It is surprising that the amounts of water and air in hyperhydric leaves is often characterized by a thin the apoplast of hyperhydric leaves have never been epidermis with perforations, and scattered or no quantified. Apoplastic water can be measured easily

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Figure 1 Normal (A) and hyperhydric (B) arabidopsis seedlings Figure 2 Behaviour of normal and hyperhydric seedlings upon immersion in water. Normal seedlings ﬂoat and stay on the surface. In contrast, hyperhydric seedlings sink to the bottom

by centrifuging water out of the tissue at a low speed flooding is hypoxia. With quantitative real-time pcr (20 min 3000g) and weighing. Apoplastic air is we examined the expression of genes known to be assessed using a pycnometer weighing the weight- induced in Arabidopsis subjected to hypoxic condi- increase of the pycnometer with tissue before and tions. Expression levels of eight of the nine examined after air in the tissue has been replaced by water genes increased more than two times. But apart from using vacuum infiltration. We examined this in hypoxia, there are likely to be many more effects. hyperhydric Arabidopsis seedlings as a model (Fig. 1) Obviously, CO2 accumulates in the cells but also sig- and in various genuine crops. The results were always nalling molecules like ethylene and methyljasmonate similar. In hyperhydric tissues, the air in the apoplast cannot easily get out of the cells. was replaced partly or almost entirely by water (Table 1). As a result of this replacement, the tissues became Causes heavier. The overall specific density of the plants was Because hyperhydric tissues are located 0.1 cm-3 cm higher than 1 and the seedlings sank immediately above the level of the nutrient medium, there must be when immersed in water (Fig. 2). a force that moves the water upwards to the apoplast. The effect of the flooding of the apoplast on plant There are several possibilities, viz., root pressure quality is very pronounced. The ultimate consequence in the xylem (or a similar phenomenon when roots was very severe: 20 days after transfer of seedlings are not present), the water flow in the phloem, and to Gelrite medium, they died off after acquiring the physical mechanisms like capillary action. Water hyperhydric phenotype. One of the obvious effects of translocation brought about by evaporation - which

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hyperhydicity symptoms Figure 4 Scheme of the 80 backgrounds of hyperhydricity

hyperhydicity 60 non-hyperhydicity inhibition of gas exchange 40 by individual cells

20 high RH in the Gelrite; water fills the intercellular headspace,

water content (% of at start) 0 less solidifier spaces and air is driven out closure of stomata 0 60 120 180 240 300 period of drying (min) 50 Figure 3 Epidermal is the main force for water movement under ex vitro dric ones, virtually all air had disappeared from the prints of normal (A) and conditions - is not involved in the fl ooding of the apoplast and more water was found to be present. We hyperhydric (B) leaves. apoplast simply because all the water that is trans- believe this is the key to the hyperhydric disorder. Be- Note that the stomata in located in this way evaporates from the leaves. The cause the diffusion of gases in water is 10,000 times hyperhydric leaves are apoplast may be rich in solutes and attract water by slower than in air, gases accumulate in the individual much more closed. This its osmotic value but our measurements did not show cells in hyperhydric plants and O2 cannot enter. This leads to slower wilting indications of high concentrations of osmolytes. leads to the hyperhydric symptoms (Fig. 4). when the leaves are cut Easy water availability is a very important factor as As curing treatment, the stress of poor gas exchange off as shown by a slower shown by a strong increase of hyperhydricity in liquid may be alleviated e.g. by application of stress loss of water (c). The medium, when Gelrite is used as solidifi er instead protectants such as antioxidants. However, the characteristic shown in of agar or when the concentration of solidifi er is fl ooding can be so severe that successful treatment

c is referred to as water reduced. The mystery of the driving force still needs of the symptoms is no longer possible. The main C retention capacity (wrc) to be solved. way of coping with the phenomenon would therefore In addition to an increase of supply, a decrease of be to prevent water accumulation in the apoplast M removal of water may also lead to fl ooding. Normally, by decreasing the supply to and/or increasing the Y

removal of water from the apoplast is brought about drainage of the apoplast. As a matter of fact, this is CM by evaporation. As mentioned before, hyperhydricity the procedure of existing successful cures but they MY is indeed reduced when evaporation is increased by usually also decrease the propagation rate. Therefore lowering the rh in the headspace of containers. We novel methods? should be developed and some new CY

examined whether the water retention capacity (wrc) leads have been identifi ed recently on which we will CMY was different in hyperhydric and nonhyperhydric report soon. K leaves. It is often claimed that hyperhydric plants wilt even faster than normal vitro plants because their stomata are open more. Much to our surprise when Non-hyperhydric Hyperhydric tested, the wrc of hyperhydric plants was a little (Grown on agar) (Grown on gelrite) better and epidermal prints showed that the stomata arabidopsis 81% 15% are closed more (Fig. 3). The wrc was only slightly increased but perhaps just enough to cause accumu- statice 48% 2% lation of water. The wrc of hyperhydric leaves was crambe 6% still much smaller than the wrc of ex vitro formed leaves. These leaves had lost only 10% of their water after 90 min, the hyperhydric leaves 85% and the Table 1 The estimated volume of air in the apoplast of nonhyperhydric ones 97%. The differences are prob- leaves is shown as a percentage of the volume of the ably due to differential closure of the stomata. apoplast. The remainder of the apoplastic space is occupied by water. The apoplast itself takes up 25%- Conclusion 40% of the leaf volume and consists for the greater Hyperhydricity is a physiological disorder that often part of large intercellular spaces troubles tissue culturalists. Literature is abundant but at the same time confusing, because it focuses on the morphological, anatomical and physiological symptoms, and on curing, but hardly deals with the underlying causes. Although some researchers recognize that water in the apoplast is relevant - occa- sionally apoplastic air is mentioned - the volumes of apoplastic air and water have never been quantifi ed. We found an unexpectedly large difference between hyperhydric and nonhyperhydric plants: in hyperhy-

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CMY

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