International Seed Testing Association Secretariat, Zürichstrasse 50, CH-8303 Bassersdorf, Switzerland Phone: +41 44 838 60 00 Fax: +41 44 838 60 01 Email: [email protected] - http://www.seedtest.org
Document OGM17-03
Activity Report of the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) Committees 2016
This yearly Activity Report was prepared by the Technical Committees, the Executive Committee, and the Secretariat of the Association. The document contains the reports of the Executive Committee, the Technical Committees and of the Secretary General and includes the financial statements of the International Seed Testing Association for 2016, the budget for 2016 and preliminary budget for 2017. This document is submitted to all ISTA Designated Authorities, ISTA Members and ISTA Observer Organisations for information two months prior to the ISTA Ordinary General Meeting 2017. The Activity Report was endorsed by the Executive Committee for submission to the ISTA Ordinary General Meeting 2017, to be held June 22, 2017 in Denver, CO, USA, for acceptance by the nominated ISTA Designated Members voting on behalf of their respective Governments. It was approved by the Designated Members at the Ordinary General Meeting on.
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Contents A. Report of the Executive Committee (ECOM) 2016 5 1. Composition of the Executive Committee 5 2. Meetings of the Executive Committee 5 3. Activities of the Executive Committee Working Groups 6 3.1 Accreditation Working Group 6 3.2 The Articles and By-Laws of the Association Working Group 7 3.3 Designated Authorities Working Group 7 3.4 Events Working Group 7 3.5 International Relations Working Group 8 3.6 Management and Finances Working Group 8 3.7 Marketing Working Group 9 3.8 Publications Working Group 9 3.9 Technical Committee Working Group 9 B. Reports of the Secretary General, Proficiency Test Committee, Rules Committee, Editorial Board and Seed Science Advisory Group 10 1. ISTA Membership 10 1.1 Membership developments 10 1.1.1 Laboratory membership 10 1.1.2 Personal Membership 11 1.1.3 Associate Membership 11 1.1.4 Industry Membership 12 1.2 Honorary Members 12 2. Activity Report of the Rules Committee June 2016 to Feb 2017 12 2.1 Activities 13 2.3 Sales of the ISTA Rules 14 3. Accreditation Programme 17 Report of the Proficiency Test Committee 17 3.1 Proficiency tests 2016 17 3.2 Reporting of Proficiency test results 17 3.3 Rating of laboratory performance 18 3.4 Audit programme 21 3.5 Accreditation under the Performance- Based Approach 21 3.6 Accreditation administration 21 3.7 Document updates 21 3.8 Accreditation figures 22 3.9 New system auditor at ISTA Secretariat 27 3.10. Contracted auditors 27
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3.11 Sales of ISTA Certificates 27 4. ISTA Publications and Products 28 4.1 ISTA Handbooks and Proceedings 28 4.2 Calibration Samples 28 5. ISTA Training and Education Programmes 28 5.1 ISTA Workshop overview 28 6. Scientific Journal ‘Seed Science and Technology’: Report of the Editorial Board, 2016 29 6.1 Editorial figures for 2016 30 6.2 Additional activities: 30 6.3 Sales of ‘Seed Science and Technology’ 2012 - 2016 31 7. Report of the Seed Science Advisory Group 31 8. Report of the ISTA Secretariat 33 8.1 Secretariat staff 33 8.2 Secretariat work 33 8.3 Functions 34 8.3.1 Administration: 34 8.3.2 Human Resources: 34 8.3.3 Finance: 34 8.3.4 IT 34 8.3.5 Marketing: 34 8.3.6 Representation: 36 8.3.7 Event organization: 37 8.3.8 Publications: 37 8.3.9 TCOM Coordination 38 8.3.10 Accreditation: 38 9. Finances of the Association 40 C. Reports of the Technical Committees 46 1. ATC Advanced Technologies Committee 47 2. BSC Bulking and Sampling Committee 49 3.FSC Flower Seed Committee 53 4. FTS Forest Tree and Shrub Seed Committee 57 5. GER Germination Committee 60 6. GMO Committee 69 7. MOI Seed Moisture Committee 76 8. NOM Nomenclature Committee 79 9. PUR Purity Committee 81 Reporting of unidentified seeds on ISTA certificates, at the moment only possible to report to Genus level according the rules 83
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Addition of Striga to the methid for Orobanche 83 Revision of chapter 14: The X-ray test, possibe to use other machines to do this test 83 10. SHC Seed Health Committee 87 11.STA Statistics Committee 90 12. STO Storage Committee 93 13. TEZ Tetrazolium Committee 101 14. VAR Variety Committee 103 15. VIG Seed Vigour Committee 107
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A. Report of the Executive Committee (ECOM) 2016
1. Composition of the Executive Committee
This report has been prepared by members of the Executive Committee (ECOM) with specific input from Chairs of the ECOM Working Groups (WGs).
The Executive Committee 2016-2019 is composed of:
Officers: Craig McGill (President) New Zealand Steve Jones (Vice-President) Canada
Members-at-large: Joël Léchappé (Immediate Past President) France Ignacio Aranciaga Argentina Valerie Cockerell United Kingdom Berta Killermann Germany Keshavulu Kunusoth India Leena Pietilä Finland Masatoshi Sato Japan Mable Simwanza Zambia Rita Zecchinelli Italy
Ex-Officio member: Attilio Lovato (ISTA Honorary President) Italy
This report is the first from the 2016-2019 Executive Committee, elected at the Ordinary General Meeting in June 2016, Tallinn, Estonia. The work of the Executive Committee, including the implementation of the 2016- 2019 ISTA Strategy developed and voted on by the membership at the 31st ISTA Congress in Tallinn in June 2016, is achieved with input from a number of ECOM working groups. The role of the working groups is to propose solutions on specific topics and where appropriate develop policy for discussion and decision by the Executive Committee. The working groups established for the 2016-2019 triennium (working group Chair in brackets) are: Accreditation (Rita Zecchinelli), The Articles and By-Laws of the Association (Steve Jones), Designated Authority (Joël Léchappé), Events (Berta Killermann), International Relations (Joël Léchappé), Management and Finances (Steve Jones), Marketing (Berta Killermann), Publications (Valerie Cockerell / Steve Jones), Technical Committees (Valerie Cockerell). The ISTA President is a member of all working groups. Within the Accreditation working group are two sub-working groups. One sub-group, chaired by Leena Pietilä, is working on a new proposal for the ISTA sampling “certificate” to address the concerns raised by the membership at the ISTA Congress in Tallinn. The second, chaired by Rita Zecchinelli, is working on the question of the European Union recognition of the use of the word accreditation by ISTA.
2. Meetings of the Executive Committee
In the period June 2016 to May 2017 the Executive Committee held two meetings, one in Tallinn immediately after their election at the ISTA Congress in June 2016 and second in February 2017 in Zurich. In February 2017 the Executive Committee also held a joint meeting with the Technical Committee Chairs in Zurich.
During the post-Congress meeting in Tallinn the Executive Committee met with the Secretariat staff. The Secretariat staff gave an overview of their individual work within the Secretariat to the Executive Committee. This was helpful for all Executive Committee members but particularly those joining the Executive for the first time. The meeting reflects the important role that the Secretariat, under the leadership of the Secretary General, plays as the central administrative structure within the Association as well as in supporting the work of the Executive Committee in general and the Executive Committee working groups in particular.
The February ECOM meeting was aimed at the regulatory work to prepare for the Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado. This includes the approval of standard documents for distribution to the membership prior to the Ordinary Meeting and voting by the membership at the Ordinary Meeting. The main documents discussed and/or validated by the ECOM were: the report of the Executive Committee, the report of the Secretary General, the reports of the Technical Committees, the Rules proposals and the associated validation reports,
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Articles change proposals, the financial accounts of the Association for 2016 and the provisional budget for 2017 and 2018, and proposals for the 2018 membership fees.
The Technical Committee Chairs met 14-16 February with the 15-16 February being a joint meeting with the Executive Committee. This included a workshop on 15 February which had the aim of identifying ways in which the Technical Committees could work more effectively and what was needed to enable them to do so. As a result of this workshop the Executive Committee has established working groups, one, chaired by Valerie Cockerell, to look at the Method Validation Process and a second, chaired by Leena Pietilä to look at the functioning of the Technical Committees. Immediate decisions made at the end of the workshop were that (a) Technical Committee members who did not have access to the ISTA Rules as members of the Association or by belonging to an organisation that is a member of the Association will be able to access the Rules for their committee work and (b) all Technical Committee Members will be able to register for ISTA events for the member fee.
Other important topics covered in the February 2017 Executive Committee meeting was the work done by the Executive Committee working groups. These working groups along with the Secretary General and other Secretariat staff as appropriate have met regularly via web conferences. The minutes of the working group meetings are distributed to the ECOM and working groups report back to the ECOM during its February and June meetings and decisions made by the ECOM when required.
The main ongoing topics within the ECOM and working groups are: implementation of the strategy 2016- 2019, long-range planning for the Association, the EU question on recognition of ISTA accreditation and the issues surrounding changing from the name “accreditation” to “authorisation”, responding to the concerns raised by the membership on the proposal for an ISTA Seed Sampling Certificate including revision of the Articles, the 2017 and 2018 Annual Meeting and 2019 Congress, expanding ISTA’s marketing efforts, international representation and strengthening the relationship with the ISTA Designated Authorities and other seed sector organisations, the finances of the Association, and recruitment of a new Secretary General.
3. Activities of the Executive Committee Working Groups
The ECOM working groups have worked on the following:
3.1 Accreditation Working Group
Members: Rita Zecchinelli (Chair), Berta Killermann, Valerie Cockerell, Joel Lechappe, Craig McGill, Masatoshi Sato, Florina Palada
The main task of the ECOM Accreditation working group is to assist and support the ISTA Accreditation and Technical Department in the accreditation related issues. In this framework, the working group has been active in revising quality documents addressed to the staff of the ISTA Secretariat or to the ISTA auditors (Standard Operating Procedures) or intended as informative documents to be published on the ISTA website (e.g. “ISTA Internal policy to assign an auditor for a specific audit”). The working group has assisted the Accreditation Department in the preparation of decisions relating to the accreditation of laboratories and communication of information to laboratories for specific situations.
In the absence of a Secretary General, the Chair of the Accreditation working group has assessed the audit process and considered for approval the auditors’ recommendations for (re-)accreditation of audited laboratories.
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With external contribution from Ray Shilito and Michael Kruse the sub-working group on the “Seed Sampling Certificate” has been working on the response to the concerns raised by the membership on the proposal for an “ISTA Seed Sampling Certificate”.
The sub working group on European Union recognition of the use of the word accreditation has worked on the evaluation of the questionnaire sent to the ISTA membership concerning the EU recognition of ISTA accreditation and the possible replacement of the definition “accreditation” with the term “authorisation”.
3.2 The Articles and By-Laws of the Association Working Group
Members: Steve Jones (Chair), Craig McGill
With external contribution from Michael Kruse the Articles working group has created an Articles change proposal for vote on in June 2017 with external contribution. The proposal defines Member Entities for sampling only and empowers the ECOM to authorise and accredit member entities for sampling only.
3.3 Designated Authorities Working Group
Members: Joël Léchappé (Chair), Keshavulu Kunusoth, Craig McGill, Mable Simwanza, Grethe Tarp, Rita Zecchinelli
This working group was established in February 2017 to identify ways the relationship with the ISTA Designated Authorities can be strengthened. The working group is an outcome of the meeting held between the ISTA Designated Authorities and the ECOM during the ISTA Congress in Tallinn. The working group will organise a follow-up meeting with representatives of the ISTA Designated Authorities at the Annual Meeting in Denver.
3.4 Events Working Group
Members: Berta Killermann (chair), Ignacio Aranciaga, Laura Bowden, Keshavulu Kunusoth, Craig McGill, Olga Stöckli, Masatoshi Sato, Mable Simwanza.
The Events working group develops the events policy of the Association for discussion and approval by the ECOM and supports the Secretariat in the organisation of ISTA events, in particular Annual Meetings and Congresses.
The working group was involved in the organisation of: a. the 31st ISTA Congress in Tallinn including the seed symposium, discussion forum and meetings during the Congress with participants who are not ISTA members, the ISTA Designated Authorities and international seed organisations. b. the ISTA Annual Meeting 2017 in Denver, Colorado, including the elaboration of a common programme. This has required modification of the format for the TCOM presentations and development of proposals for joint seminars. c. finalisation of the location for the 2018 Annual Meeting. The location will be Sapporo in Japan. The 2018 Annual Meeting will be the first where the responsibility for the organisation and the financial liability will be with ISTA. d. finalisation of the location of the 32nd ISTA Congress in 2019. The location will be Hyderabad, India and the venue the Hyderabad International Convention Centre.
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3.5 International Relations Working Group
Members: Joël Léchappé (Chair), Keshavulu Kunusoth, Craig McGill, Florina Palada, Mable Simwanza, Olga Stöckli, Grethe Tarp, Rita Zecchinelli
The International Relations working group undertakes activities that contribute to the implementation of the ISTA strategy 2016-2019. The International Relations working group develops the International Relations policy for discussion and approval by the ECOM, coordinates the representation of ISTA in international fora and optimise ISTA’s contribution to these fora. Six areas of international collaboration have been identified where ISTA wants to be present and strengthen its participation: a. Regulatory Organisations including at the national level the Designated Authorities of member countries and international organisations such as OECD, FAO, UPOV, IPPC. The Designated Authorities and strengthening the relationship with them is a priority and has now become the subject of a new working group within the Executive Committee. b. Organisations related to the accreditation work of ISTA such as the International Laboratory Accreditation (ILAC) or the European Accreditation (EA). c. Scientific fora and collaboration with other associations such as ISSS (International Seed Science Society). d. Technical collaboration with other organisations to harmonise seed testing methods worldwide such as AOSA and SCST in the United States, ABRATES in Brazil, or ISHI through ISF. e. Collaboration and exchange of information with the seed trade and seed industry. At the international level this is ISF and at the regional level with organisations such as AFSTA, APSA, ASTA and ESA. f. The World Seed Partnership, a collaboration between ISF, ISTA, OECD and UPOV, within which will be a platform for key information on seeds and the role of each organisation in the partnership to the seed sector. The aim of the World Seed Partnership is the improvement of security of seed supply nationally and regionally. ISTA honorary life member Grethe Tarp represents ISTA in the World Seed Partnership.
The International Relations working group has identified the international fora at which ISTA should be represented in 2017 and, in discussion with the Marketing working group, whether these have a marketing aspect. The 2017 International representation has been approved by the ECOM.
3.6 Management and Finances Working Group
Members: Steve Jones (Chair), Valerie Cockerell, Berta Killermann, Joël Léchappé, Craig McGill, Florina Palada
The Management and Finances working group develops the management and finance policy for discussion and approval by the ECOM and supports the Secretariat in the area of management and finances as required.
This support has recently been with staffing changes at the Secretariat as a result of resignations and retirement, policy around the contracting of a marketing consultant, renewal of the ISTA trademark protection, finalisation of the 2016 budget and preparation of the 2017 and draft 2018 budget.
The Management and Finances working group has also managed the recruitment process of the Secretary General.
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3.7 Marketing Working Group
Members: Berta Killermann (Chair), Ignacio Aranciaga, Craig McGill, Pierrick Marcoux (until end of October), Florina Palada, Leena Pietila, Masatoshi Sato, Olga Stöckli (from February 2017)
The ECOM Marketing working group develops the marketing policy of the Association for discussion and approval by the ECOM and assists and supports the Secretariat with marketing initiatives.
Marketing initiatives in the area of social and digital media were undertaken. This includes LinkedIn and the ISTA website. The Marketing working group has been contributing the website upgrade project. Marketing is also through brochures and other publications. In the context of promoting the Accreditation programme, the Marketing working group has overseen the creation of the document “ISTA Accreditation Programme, the Passport to Higher Seed Quality”. The document is available both as a printed version, for distribution during annual meetings and congresses or for insertion into information packages and as a digital version (flipbook) for distribution by email.
The development of a new concept “Fresh in the Field” a column dedicated spotlighting the new generation of seed scientists has also been overseen by the Marketing working group.
The Marketing working group has worked with the International Relations working group to determine which events ISTA is attending that have a marketing aspect. Where a marketing aspect is identified the ISTA booth and a member of the Secretariat has attended or will attend the event. ISTA’s exposure during these events has been enhanced by the purchase and use of a new ISTA booth.
3.8 Publications Working Group
Members: Valerie Cockerell / Steve Jones (Co-Chairs), Craig McGill, Leena Pietilä, Jonathan Taylor
The Publications working group, in close collaboration with the Management and Finances working group, develops the publications policy for discussion and approval by the ECOM. The working group also supports the Secretariat in the area of publications, in particular, the annual publication of the ISTA Rules. The publications working group is overseeing the ISTA website project.
3.9 Technical Committee Working Group
Members: Valerie Cockerell (Chair), Craig McGill, Leena Pietilä, Nadine Ettel
This working group was established in 2016 to develop the policy relating to the ISTA Technical Committees for discussion and approval by the ECOM. The working group oversaw the joint ECOM-TCOM Chairs’ workshop in February 2017 as the first step to identifying ways in which the Technical Committees within ISTA can work more efficiently and the support needed to enable them to do so. As a result of the workshop initial areas to be focussed on have been identified. These are the functioning of the Technical Committees and the Method Validation process.
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B. Reports of the Secretary General, Proficiency Test Committee, Rules Committee, Editorial Board and Seed Science Advisory Group 1. ISTA Membership
1.1 Membership developments
1.1.1 Laboratory membership Number of Member Laboratories in 2016: 222. From 2008 to 2016, the number of laboratory members was as follows
Number of laboratory members
250 222 210 216 212 218 217 195 201 200 182
150
100
50
0 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
7% 16 in Africa 31% 67 in Asia/Pacific 10 in Australia/Oceania 30% 19 in USA/Canada 13 in South America 28 East Europe 13% 69 West Europe 4% 6% 9%
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1.1.2 Personal Membership Number of Personal Members in 2016: 34 From 2008 to 2016, the number of Personal Members were as follows:
Number of personal members
56 56 57 60 52 53 47 50 41 38 40 34
30
20
10
0 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
1.1.3 Associate Membership Number of Associate Members in 2016: 58 From 2008 to 2016, the number of Associate Members were as follows:
Number of associate members
70 62 58 60 55 48 50 48 50 42 40 33 27 30
20
10
0 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
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1.1.4 Industry Membership ISTA Industry Members in 2016: 1. Du Pont Pioneer 2. Dow Agro Science 3. Monsanto SAS 4. Bayer 5. Hem Zadem
1.2 Honorary Members According to section III., Article 4 (h) of the Articles of the ISTA: “An Honorary Life Member is a person who in the opinion of the Association has made an outstanding contribution to the Association, and has been honoured by election to the status.” The elected Honorary Life Members until 2016 are: Grethe Tarp (2016) Alison A. Powell (2013) Julianna Bányai (2010) [ 2013] Ronald Don (2008) Norbert Leist (2007) Furthermore, Attilio Lovato was elected Honorary President at the Congress 2001.
2. Activity Report of the Rules Committee June 2016 to Feb 2017 The Rules Committee is composed of the Honorary President and the Chairpersons of the Technical Committees and the Editorial Board. As part of joint initiatives with AOSA, the AOSA and SCST Rules Committee Chairs are ex-officio members of the ISTA Rules Committee, and the ISTA Rules Chair is an ex- officio member of the AOSA Rules Committee. The Chair and Vice-chair of the Rules Committee are appointed by the ISTA Executive Committee (ECOM). In the past the Rules Chair was also been an ex- officio member of the ECOM, but since 2010 Steve Jones was elected onto the ECOM as a voting member of the ECOM as a Member-at-Large representing North America and from 2016 as ISTA Vice-President. Ernest Allen from the USDA has joined the Rules Committee as Vice-chair with the aim of becoming ISTA Rules Chair from 2019 to 2021 when Steve Jones becomes ISTA President. The Rules Committee members are: Chair: Steve Jones Canada Vice- Ernest Allen United States chair: Member Gerarda de Boer - Raatgever (PUR) Netherlands s: Cheryl Dollard (GMO) Canada Sylvie Ducournau (GER) France Eddie Goldschagg (BSC) South Africa Fabio Gorian (FTS) Italy Valerie Grimault (SHC) France Fiona Hay (EDI) Philippines
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Stefanie Krämer (TEZ) Germany Jean-Louis Laffont (STA) France Attilio Lovato (Honorary President) Italy Günter Müller (PTC) Germany Jette Nydam (MOI) Sweden Alison A. Powell (VIG) United Kingdom Hugh W. Pritchard (STO) United Kingdom Bert van Duijn (ATC) Netherlands Ana Laura Vicario (VAR) Argentina John H. Wiersema (NOM) United States Rita Zecchinelli (FSC) Italy Ex- Michael G. Stahr (AOSA) United States officio: Susan Alvarez (SCST) United States
2.1 Activities The Rules Committee is responsible for reviewing the annual Rules Proposals and ensuring that the proposals are technically consistent between the different Chapters. Rules proposals can come from anyone but are usually made by the various Technical Committees. The procedures for submitting proposals and adding new species to the ISTA Rules are outlined in the Introduction to the Rules. The Rules Chair is responsible for editing the Rules and presenting the proposals for vote at the Ordinary Meeting on behalf of the Executive and Rules Committees. Staff at the ISTA Secretariat collate the Rules Proposals from the Technical Committees and help prepare the Rules Proposal document. Following the results of the voting meeting, they also ensure that the amended Rules are edited correctly, reprinted and distributed to the membership. The revised electronic version of the 2017 ISTA Rules were not available to download until after 1st January 2017 although the “effective from date” was 1st January 2017, ways to avoid this delay are being looked at for the future. For details on how to download the electronic version see the Publications section of the ISTA website. With the move to the electronic version the ISTA Rules are no longer available in hard copy but the electronic version which contains the English, French and German versions of the Rules is printable. There is now also a Spanish language edition of the ISTA Rules available on request from the ISTA Secretariat. It is worth remembering that if there is any doubt about the interpretation of the ISTA Rules the English version is the official reference version. The Rules Chair regularly receives enquiries on a range of issues relating to the interpretation of the Rules, often as the result of accreditation audits. These queries are very useful, and can lead to changes to the Rules and new proposals to help improve the implementation and understanding of the Rules.
2.2 Rules Amendments 2016 The following amendments to the ISTA Rules were approved at the 2015 Ordinary General Meeting in Montevideo. For this year’s editorial changes, all cross-references within the Rules to other chapters and sections were systematically checked, and any errors were corrected. It was also clearly stated on the title page and in the Preface that the English version was to take precedence over any other language version.
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At the session of the Rules Committee on the previous day, quite a number of proposals were amended. However, with regard to the proposed change to Chapter 10, no consensus could be reached, and the proposal was withdrawn. Thus, the changes to the ISTA Rules for 2016 are as follows. General: – Cross-references checked and updated – ‘ISTA International Seed Analysis Certificate’ changed to ‘ISTA Certificate’ Title page: English version is official version Preface: English version is official version Chapter 1: 1.2, 1.3, 1.4: Clarification about issuance of certificates and other details related to duplicate and provisional ISTA Certificates 1.4.2: Clarification what should be entered under ‘Seal of lot’ 1.5.2.19: Removal of ‘herbage’, where differentiation between ‘herbage’ and ‘amenity’ (turf) is no longer appropriate Chapter 2: 2.5.4.2.1: Lolium ×boucheanum corrected to Lolium ×hybridum 2.8: Changes in Table 2A for lot size and sample sizes 2.5.4.1, 2.5.4.2, Fig. 2.1: Removal of ‘herbage’, where differentiation between ‘herbage’ and ‘amenity’ (turf) is no longer appropriate Chapter 3: PSD 4: Revision re: Helianthus seeds with fused pericarps 3.5.2: Retention of separated components (other seeds only) Chapter 4: 4.2, 4.5.1: Amendment of definitions for Other seeds determinations Chapter 5: 5.6.1: Germination tests allowed with only 200 seeds, but only for Blue International Seed Sample Certificates; clarifications on required actions when counting errors occur 5.6.3.4: Clarification on reporting germination when disinfection is applied 5.6.4: Omitting the first count when germination tests are carried out in Organic Growing Media 5.7, 5.9: Amendment to the process for retesting Table 5A: Corymbis corrected to Corymbia; Pinus peuce entry changed from (20<=>30) to 20<=>30; dash added for Lonnas annua Chapter 7: 7-007: Correction to text 7-022: Changes to 5. Examination; replacement of images 7-026: Additional grow-out method for existing seed health method 7-001a, b; 7-004; 7-010; 7-011; 7-012: Replacement and/or addition of photographs Chapter 9: 9.1.5.2, 9.1.5.5: Changes to methods for cutting seeds 9.1.5.5: Changes to methods for cutting large tree seeds for moisture testing Chapter 11: 11.5.6.3, 11.5.6.5, 11.5.7, 11.5.8: Clarification of procedures for seed pellets Chapter 17: 17.6, 17.7: Removal of ‘herbage’, where differentiation between ‘herbage’ and ‘amenity’ (turf) is no longer appropriate
2.3 Sales of the ISTA Rules As of 2014, the International Rules for Seed Testing ceased to be published on paper and is now published solely in electronic format, with a number of accompanying changes for ISTA Members and other users. These changes have had a profound effect on the sales of the ISTA Rules: • Member Laboratories have full online Rules access for all laboratory staff, and Personal Members may keep copies of the Rules on various devices. Thus, these user groups no longer need to purchase extra Rules copies. • The French and German editions are now amalgamated with the English edition, i.e. they are no longer produced and sold separately. • Since there is no paper edition, there is no longer any advantage in producing Rules Amendments and they are no longer sold. • The validated seed health testing methods of Rules Chapter 7 (previously Annexe to Chapter 7) are freely available for download from the ISTA web site, and are no longer sold. • The complete International Rules for Seed Testing can be purchased online.
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• Individual Rules chapters can also be purchased online separately. • Non-member labs and other institutions can purchase multiple-user access for all staff at a flat rate. As a result of these changes, Rules sales for 2014 and 2015 cannot be compared with previous years.
Sales of ISTA Rules (sets and amendments) for the period 2008–2013
Edition 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
ISTA Rules Sets 187 166 161 192 110 110
ISTA Rules (French) – 99 37 28 15 19
ISTA Rules Sets (German) 22 – – – 38 12
ISTA Rules Amendments 216 325 262 263 300 309
ISTA Rules Amendments (German) 19 – – – – 10
ISTA Rules Amendments (French) – – 18 30 40 33
ISTA Annexe to Chapter 7 2 8 9 14 1 4
Income 75 123 78 654 94 239 79 242 84 447 62 692
Sales of online ISTA Rules for 2014 and 2016 2014 2015 2016 Income Income Item Sold (CHF) Sold (CHF) Sold Income (CHF)
Royalties from direct download Full Rules issues 52 21'060.00 45 20'708.00 28 12‘520.00 sales (remitted in USD) Single chapters 28 2'142.00 20 1'738.00 23 1’942.00 Multiple-user access (e.g. non- 15 20'860.00 17 23'660.00 17 CHF 23'800.00 member labs) Sales via Secretariat (CHF) Single-user access (Associate 44 9'000.00 92 19'800.00 92 CHF 20'400.00 Members; TCOM Members) Total CHF CHF 139 174 160 CHF 58‘662.00 53'062.00 65'906.00
Sales of single Rules chapters 2016 2016 Chapter sold Chapter 5: The germination test 14 Chapter 8: Species and variety testing 1 Chapter 9: Determination of moisture content 3 Chapter 11: Testing coated seeds 1 Chapter 15: Seed vigour testing 1
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Chapter 18: Testing seed mixtures 1 Chapter 19: Testing for seeds of genetically modified organisms 2 Total 23
Note: Introduction & Chapters 1, 2, 7 are available for free
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3. Accreditation Programme Report of the Proficiency Test Committee
3.1 Proficiency tests 2016 In 2015, samples of four basic proficiency test (PT) rounds were dispatched to laboratories according to the 2014–2016 Programme Plan (see Table B.3.1).
Table B.3.1. List of species and test types for 2016
Dispatch Species Test type Number of participants February Helianthus G, P, OSD 177 2016 annuus July 2016 Brachiaria G, P, OSD, M, TZ, OIC 133 brizantha August 2016 Allium cepa G 171 P = purity, OSD = other seeds determination, G = germination, M = moisture determination, TZ = tetrazolium test, V = vigour, OIC = reporting on an ISTA Certificate, MIX = mixture of additional other seeds for seed identification
3.2 Reporting of Proficiency test results In 2015 and 2016, the proficiency test reports listed in Table B.3.2 were sent to the participants.
Table B.3.2. Final PT results reported in 2016 PT round Test type Final results Oryza sativa P, OSD, G, MIX March 2016 Helianthus annuus G, P, OSD June 2016 Brachiaria brizantha G, P, OSD, M, TZ, December 2016 OIC P = purity, OSD = other seeds determination, G = germination, M = moisture determination, TZ = tetrazolium test, V = vigour, OIC = reporting on an ISTA Certificate, MIX = mixture of additional other seeds for seed identification
Seed Health Proficiency Test The results for the seed health proficiency test on Cucurbits viruses have been analyst and reports are in preparation.
GMO Proficiency Test
Round Species Event Status
21 Maize NK603, Results are under evaluation MON88017
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3.3 Rating of laboratory performance The Figures B.3.1–B.3.5 present the overall ratings of accredited laboratories after participation in six obligatory test rounds. The accredited laboratories that have not yet participated in six obligatory test rounds are not presented in the figures.
Germination - overall rating 100% 2 2 2 4 10
80% 35 32 32 BMP 60% C B A 40% 62 60 62 20%
0% 2014 2015 2016 Figure B.3.1. Overall PT performance of accredited laboratories that were obligatory to participate in germination testing
Other seed determination - overall rating 100% 1 1 1 1 5 6
27 80% 40 43
BMP 60% C B A 40% 69 51 63 20%
0% 2014 2015 2016 Figure B.3.2. Overall PT performance of accredited laboratories that were obligatory to participate in other seed determination
Purity - overall rating 100%
98%
96% 10 94% 11 12 BMP 92% C B 90% A
88%
86% 89 88 99 84%
82% 2014 2015 2016
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Figure B.3.3. Overall PT performance of accredited laboratories that were obligatory to participate in purity testing
Moisture - overall rating
100% 1 3 3 90% 18 17 80% 21
70% BMP 60% C 50% B A 40% 52 54 56 30%
20%
10%
0% 2014 2015 2016 Figure B.3.4. Overall PT performance of accredited laboratories that were obligatory to participate in moisture testing
Viability - overall rating
100% 1 4 2 90% 12 80% 10 14
70% BMP 60% C 50% B A 40% 31 29 30% 31
20%
10%
0% 2014 2015 2016 Figure B.3.5. Overall PT performance of accredited laboratories that were obligatory to participate in viability testing
In Figures B.3.6 to B.3.13, the overall ratings are given for the last three test rounds for germination, other seed determination and purity, moisture determination and tetrazolium testing, comparing performance of laboratories accredited for the corresponding test versus non-accredited laboratories.
Germination Germination ACCREDITED NON-ACCREDITED 100% 100% 80% 80% BMP 60% 60% C B 40% BMP 40% A C 20% 20% B 0% A 0% 15-3 O.sat 16-1 H.ann 16-2 B.bri 15-3 O.sat 16-1 H.ann 16-2 B.bri Test rounds Test rounds
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Figure B.3.6 and B3.7. Comparison of overall PT performance in germination testing
Purity Purity ACCREDITED NON-ACCREDITED 100% 100%
80% 80% BMP 60% 60% C B 40% BMP 40% A C 20% 20% B
0% A 0% 15-3 O.sat 16-1 H.ann 16-2 B.bri 15-3 O.sat 16-1 H.ann 16-2 B.bri Test rounds Test rounds
Figure B.3.8 and B3.9. Comparison of overall PT performance in purity testing
Other seed determination Other seed determination ACCREDITED NON-ACCREDITED 100% 100%
80% 80% BMP 60% 60% C B 40% BMP 40% A C 20% 20% B
0% A 0% 15-3 O.sat 16-1 H.ann 16-2 B.bri 15-3 O.sat 16-1 H.ann 16-2 B.bri Test rounds Test rounds Figure B.3.10 and B3.11. Comparison of overall PT performance in other seed determination
Moisture Moisture ACCREDITED NON-ACCREDITED 100% 100%
80% 80% BMP 60% 60% C B 40% BMP 40% A C 20% 20% B
0% A 0% 15-1 F.syl 15-1 G.max 16-2 B.bri 15-1 F.syl 15-1 G.max 16-2 B.bri Test rounds Test rounds
Figure B 3.12 and B3.13 Comparison of overall PT performance in moisture testing
Viability Viability ACCREDITED NON-ACCREDITED 100% 100%
80% 80% BMP 60% 60% C B 40% BMP 40% A C 20% 20% B
0% A 0% 15-1 F.syl 15-2 T.pra 16-2 B.bri 15-1 F.syl 15-2 T.pra 16-2 B.bri Test rounds Test rounds
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Figure B.3.14 and B3.15. Comparison of overall PT performance in viability testing
3.4 Audit programme During the ISTA Congress, as in previous years, the ISTA auditors held a meeting on June 16th, 2016. A summary meeting report is published in Seed Testing International 152 providig details about the items that were discussed among the ISTA auditors.
3.5 Accreditation under the Performance- Based Approach The accreditation scheme for laboratories testing for specified traits was implemented in 2006. By the end of 2016,13 laboratories were accredited under the principles of the Performance-Based Approach:
Table B.3.3., Laboratories accredited under the principles of Performance-Based Approach
Country/Distinct economy ISTA code
AR ARGENTINA AR01 AT AUSTRIA AT03 FR FRANCE FR03 DE GERMANY DE04 and DE18 HU HUNGARY HU01 IT ITALY IT01 and IT03 JP JAPAN JP01, JP03 and JP07 RS SERBIA RS02 UY URUGUAY UY02
3.6 Accreditation administration The ISTA Accreditation and Technical Department and ISTA TCOM Coordinator in conjunction with the Estonian Seed Testing Laboartory organised in June 2016 an ISTA Quality Assurance workshop for advanced laboratories in the premise of the Agricultural Research Centre, Saku, Estonia. Presentations were given by Ronald Don and Florina Palada.
3.7 Document updates The following is a list of ISTA accreditation documents relevant for member laboratories, including version number and year of last change (documents in bold were updated in 2016): Acc-P-06-How to become ISTA Accredited Laboratory – version 2.8, 2015 Acc-P-08-How to develop Quality Documentation- version 1.4, 2015 Acc-P-09 How to Respond to Audit Findings, version 2.5, 2014 ISTA Accreditation Standard for seed Testing and Seed Sampling, version 6.0, 2015 Acc-D-01 Termination – Suspension – Withdrawal, version 2.4, 2011 Acc-D-08-ISTA internal policy to assign an auditor for a specific audit, version 1.0, 2016 Admin-P-05-Appeals and Complaint procedure, version 1.0, 2016 Admin-F-27-Complaints and Appeals form, version 1.0, 2016 Acc-D-07 ISTA Accreditation and Scope of Accreditation Policy, version 2.0, 2014 Acc-D-04 Accreditation under the performance based approach, version 2.1, 2006 Acc-D-05 Performance Data Evaluation_1, version 2.1, 2006 Acc-D-05 Performance Data Evaluation_2, version 1.1, 2006 Acc-D-02 Conditions for making reference to a laboratory’s membership and/or accreditation and the use of the ISTA Logo, version 1.1, 2013 Acc-D-06 Accreditation of laboratories with facilities on multiple sites, version 1.0, 2006
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PT-P-01-ISTA Proficiency Test Programme, version 3.5, 2016
3.8 Accreditation figures In 2016, 50 accreditation audit visits were carried out (see Table B.3.4). For one laboratory, it was its first accreditation audit and for four laboratories it was the seventh audit. A complete list of accredited ISTA laboratories is shown in Table B.3.4. The regional distribution of the accredited laboratories is given in Figure B.3.15.
Table B.3.4. Audits performed in 2016
Audit type Country/Distinct economy ISTA code
First audit ZA SOUTH AFRICA ZA03 Number of audits 1
Second audit CN CHINA CN01 IT ITALY IT09 NL NETHERLANDS NL08 NP NEPAL NP02 NZ NEW ZEALAND NZ05 RU RUSSIAN FEDERATION RU07 US UNITED STATES US09 Number of audits 7
Third audit BR BRAZIL BR07 KR SOUTH KOREA KR02 MD MOLDOVA MD01 RU RUSSIAN RU03 FEDERATION RU RUSSIAN FEDERATION RU01 Number of audits 5
Fourth audit BR BRAZIL BR08 FR FRANCE FR07 HU HUNGARY HU02 SE SWEDEN SE09 Number of audits 4
Fifth audit BO BOLIVIA BO01 IN INDIA IN05 Number of audits 2
Audit type Country/Distinct economy ISTA code Sixth audit
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CL CHILE CL02 DE GERMANY DE13 DE GERMANY DE17 DE GERMANY DE10 DE GERMANY DE15 EG EGYPT EG01 ES SPAIN ES01 FR FRANCE FR02 IE IRELAND IE01 IL ISRAEL IL01 JP JAPAN JP01 LT LITHUANIA LT01 MW MALAWI MW01 NL NETHERLANDS NL02 NL NETHERLANDS NL03 NO NORWAY NO01 PT PORTUGAL PT01 RO ROMANIA RO05 SE SWEDEN SE07
SE SWEDEN SE02 SI SLOVENIA SI01 TR TURKEY TR01 TW SCT of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu TW01 UY URUGUAY UY02 ZA SOUTH AFRICA ZA01 ZM ZAMBIA ZM01 ZW ZIMBABWE ZW01 Number of audits 27
Seventh audit CA CANADA CA04 CA CANADA CA08 GB UNITED KINGDOM GB04 HU HUNGARY HU01 Number of audits 4 Total number of audits 50
Table B.3.5. Complete list of laboratories accredited by 31.12.2016
Country/Distinct economy ISTA code
AR ARGENTINA AR01 AT AUSTRIA AT03 AT04 AU AUSTRALIA AU01 AU02 AU06 AU07 Country/Distinct economy ISTA code AU09 BE BELGIUM BE02
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BE03 BG BULGARIA BG01 BO BOLIVIA BO01 BR BRAZIL BR07 BR08 CA CANADA CA04 CA08 CA10 CH SWITZERLAND CH01 CL CHILE CL02 CN CHINA CN01 CN04 CZ CZECH REPUBLIC CZ03 DE GERMANY DE03 DE04 DE05 DE06 DE07 DE09 DE10 DE13 DE15 DE16 DE17 DE18 DK DENMARK DK01 DK03 DK04 DK06 DK08 DK09 EE ESTONIA EE01 EG EGYPT EG01 ES SPAIN ES01 FI FINLAND FI01 FR FRANCE FR02 FR03 FR06 FR07 FR08 FR09 GB UNITED KINGDOM GB01 GB04 GB06 GR GREECE GR01 GR02 HR CROATIA HR03 HU HUNGARY HU01 HU02 ID INDONESIA ID01 ID02 IE IRELAND IE01 IL ISRAEL IL01 IN INDIA IN05 IN06 IN07 IN12 Country/Distinct economy ISTA code IN14 IN16 IT ITALY IT01
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IT03 IT06 IT07 IT09 JP JAPAN JP01 JP03 JP05 JP06 JP07 KE KENYA KE01 KG KYRGYZSTAN KG01 KR SOUTH KOREA KR02 LT LITHUANIA LT01 LU LUXEMBOURG LU01 LV LATVIA LV01 MD MOLDOVA MD01 MW MALAWI MW01 MX MEXICO MX01 NL NETHERLANDS NL02 NL03 NL05 NL08 NO NORWAY NO01 NP NEPAL NP02 NZ NEW ZEALAND NZ01 NZ02 NZ03 NZ05 PH PHILIPPINES PH03 PL POLAND PL05 PL07 PT PORTUGAL PT01 RO ROMANIA RO05 RO06 RS SERBIA RS01 RS02 RS03 RU RUSSIAN FEDERATION RU01 RU03 RU04 RU05 RU06 RU07 SE SWEDEN SE02 SE07 SE09 SI SLOVENIA SI01 SK SLOVAKIA SK01 SK02 TH THAILAND TH03 TH04 TR TURKEY TR01 TW SCT of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu TW01 UA UKRAINE UA01 UG UGUANDA UG02 US UNITED STATES US01 Country/Distinct economy ISTA code US UNITED STATES US04 US05 US06
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US07 US09 UY URUGUAY UY02 ZA SOUTH AFRICA ZA01 ZM ZAMBIA ZM01 ZW ZIMBABWE ZW01 Total number of accredited labs 134
There were 61 countries/distinct economies with at least one ISTA-accredited laboratory.
Africa; 7
Asia; 23
West Europe; 50 Australia/Oceania; 9 East Europe; 29
South America; 6 North America; 10
5% Africa 17% Asia 37% Australia/Oceania
7% East Europe North America South America
5% 22% West Europe 7%
Figure B.3.16 a and b. Regional distribution of the 134 ISTA accredited laboratories
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160
135 137 134 140 127 120 123 120 114 103 106 98 102 102 100 92 92 83 80
60
40
number of of number laboratories accredited 20
0 Years 2002-2016
Figure B.3.17 Number of ISTA accredited laboratories since 2002
3.9 New system auditor at ISTA Secretariat The recruitment process for a new system auditor at ISTA Secretariat has been finalised.
3.10. Contracted auditors In 2016 the Accredittation and Technical Department has continued to recruit new contracted system and technical auditors to perform ISTA audits. At the end of 2016 three new contracted system auditors and three new contracted technical auditors were approved to perform ISTA audits.
3.11 Sales of ISTA Certificates The number of ISTA Certificates sold decreased in 2016. A total of 166‘500 certificates were sold by the end of the year (Table B.3.8).
Table B.3.8. Sales of ISTA Certificates 2008–2016
Type 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Oran 110 51 110 70 132 20 129 172 150 190 160'30 158’000 ge 7 0 0 050 100 700 600 0 Blue 6 050 5 400 6 450 5 700 10 400 7 400 6 300 10'700 8’500 Total 116 56 116 10 138 65 134 182 158 196 171'00 166‘50 7 0 0 750 500 100 900 0 0
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4. ISTA Publications and Products
4.1 ISTA Handbooks and Proceedings In 2016, total sales of publications amounted to 180, excluding copies of the International Rules for Seed Testing and subscriptions for Seed Science and Technology.
. Table B.4.1. Total sales of ISTA publications 2012–2016
Type/year 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Handbook on Seed Sampling 33 43 17 11 19 Handbook on Seedling Evaluation 50 44 28 30 46 Handbook on Pure Seed Definitions 39 26 7 13 16 Handbook on Moisture Determination 19 16 6 10 15 Handbook on Flower Seed Testing 14 5 7 2 4 ISTA Working Sheets on Tetrazolium Testing Vol. I 12 25 13 6 8 ISTA Working Sheets on Tetrazolium Testing Vol. II 8 11 6 2 6 Various Handbooks/Publications 119 181 74 71 66
Total Publications sold 294 351 158 145 180
4.2 Calibration Samples The Secretariat offers calibration samples of the grass species Dactylis glomerata (3.0 g) and Poa pratensis (1.0 g) for General Seed Blowers. In 2016, 2 samples of Poa pratensis and 3 of Dactylis glomerata were sold.
5. ISTA Training and Education Programmes
5.1 ISTA Workshop overview In 2016, 6 workshops were held on various seed testing subjects (Table B.5.1).
Table B.5.1. ISTA workshops and seminars held in 2016 Country/Distinct Date ISTA Event Economy India December ISTA Workshop on Seed Sampling, Purity and Germination Netherlands November ISTA SHC Workshop: Molecular Methods in Seed Health Testing
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Switzerland October ISTA Statistic Training for Method Validation Studies New Zealand September ISTA Workshop on Seed Sampling Estonia June ISTA Germination Workshop in Seed Testing Estonia June ISTA Quality Assurance Workshop
6. Scientific Journal ‘Seed Science and Technology’: Report of the Editorial Board, 2016
Chief Editor: Fiona R. Hay (The Philippines)
Associate Editors: Christophe Bailly (France) Dormancy, ageing, cell signalling, oxidative stress, markers of seed vigour Laura Bowden (United Kingdom) Seed quality, priming, storage Matthew Daws (Australia) Seed germination, dormancy especially relating to restoration Steven P.C. Groot (Netherlands) (new member since 2015) Novel techniques in testing, conditioning and sorting seed quality, particularly: computerized image analysis, X-ray inspection, spectrometry and fluorescence, nano-molecules and plasma technology, magnetic fields Fabio Gresta (Italy) Legume germination, hard seed coat, seed dormancy and dormancy breaking, scarification, seed treatment, weed germination, temperature, light Valerie Grimault (France) Seed Health Brigitte Hamman (Switzerland) Seed germination, seed quality, seed vigour testing, seed enhancement, chemical seed treatments, seed biochemistry and physiology, dormancy, longevity (storage) Julio Marcos-Filho (Brazil) Seed physiology and seed quality control, as seed vigour (relationship with seed performance; testing), germination, priming, storage, .. David Mycock (South Africa) Seed storage (orthodox and the range to Recalcitrant) in particular Cryostorage; Germplasm conservation; plant cell, tissue and organ culture; plant cell biology Daniel Perry (Canada) Variety identification, molecular or DNA markers, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), microsatellite, simple- sequence-repeat, single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) Alison A Powell (United Kingdom) Vigour (tests, causes of etc), physiology of ageing, also molecular aspects of ageing within limits (on the whole SST papers stay within these!), priming. Moctar Sacandé (United Kingdom) Tropical tree seed physiology, seed storage longevity, desiccation tolerance and seed conservation, biophysics of seed storage, tropical dry land species, silviculture of tropical trees
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Norm W. Schaad (United States) Bacterial diseases Uma Rani Sinniah (Malaysia) Tropical crops germination, storage, bacterial diseases Michael Sussman (United States) Biomolecular techniques and principles pertaining to biotechnology and molecular biology Alan Taylor (United States) (appointed 2013) Seed treatment and coating technologies; Seed water activity/moisture content; Seed quality related to germination/viability Christopher Wood (United Kingdom) low temperature storage, dormancy and orchid/palm related papers Andrea Mondoni (Italy) Seed germination and seedling recruitments, seed longevity, seed conservation, climate change, field experiments, ecophysiology, alpine plants. Shyam S. Phartyal (India) Seed maturation, germination, dormancy, storage physiology, soil seed bank ecology and other related functional traits of wild plants for their restoration, conservation, and to use them as a tool for climate change research and environmental education.
The task of the editorial board is to edit the ISTA scientific journal „Seed Science and Technology“. Seed Science and Technology (SST) is one of the leading international journals featuring original papers and review articles in all areas of seed quality and physiology as related to seed production, harvest, processing, sampling, storage, genetic conservation, habitat regeneration, distribution and testing. SST is published in three issues per volume and year with approximately 600 pages.
6.1 Editorial figures for 2016 Papers received: 231 Papers accepted for publication: 63 Papers rejected: 160 Papers published in 3 issues: 21 + 18 + 18 = 57 Full papers in 3 issues: 16 + 13 + 13 = 42 Research Notes in 3 issues: 5 + 5 + 5 = 15 Pages published in 3 issues (excl. content lists etc.): 232 + 202 + 207 = 641 Average number of pages per paper (excl. content lists etc): 11.2 Issues published: 3 (April, August, December)
6.2 Additional activities: In March 2015, we started using Editorial Manager for handling submissions. This automates much of the workflow and makes it easy for authors to track where their manuscript is in the editing and reviewing process. We are also now uploading papers to our host, ingenta connect, before they are printed, so authors can see (and share) their work online ahead of print. In 2016, 250 copies were printed for each Volumes 44/1-2-3. In addition, all ISTA Personal Members and staff of ISTA Member Laboratories are entitled to free online subscriptions. 17 individual subscriptions to Associate Editors of the journal were released.
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6.3 Sales of ‘Seed Science and Technology’ 2012 - 2016
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
SST Print 209 177 149 144 125 SST Online Single 12 14 10 7 7 SST Print+ Online single 11 11 9 3 4 SST Print+ Online Multiple 8 8 8 8 6 SST OnlineMuliptle 14 23 23 26 32 SST Back Issues 20 11 5 3 3 SST Dowload of Individual Chapters 14 23 Total SST 274 244 204 205 177
7. Report of the Seed Science Advisory Group
MEMBERSHIP LIST change comments 1 CHAIR: Alison Powell United Kingdom 2 VICE CHAIR: Brigitte Switzerland Hamman 3 Beni Kaufamn Switzerland Until June 2016 4 Fiona Hay The Philippines 5 Laura Bowden United Kingdom 6 Birte Boelt Denmark 7 Francoise Corbineau France 8 Stan Matthews United Kingdom 10 Alan Taylor United States 11 Jane Thomas United Kngdom Ex officio: Joel France Until June 2016 Lechappe ECOM liaison: Canada Until June 2016 Steve Jones ECOM liaison: Joel France From June 2016 Lechappe
Activities, based on Terms of Reference (TORs): TOR 2: Appraisal of evidence for techniques/equipment available for use in seed testing laboratories The SSAG was asked by Astec Global to review the evidence in support of the use of the Q2 analyser which is being sold as equipment that can predict germination and vigour on the basis of oxygen depletion by single seeds. Published research papers, data provided by the developers of the Q2 analyser and claims for the analyser made in advertising material were made available to all the SSAG members. Three members of the SSAG independently prepared a review of all the information available and prepared a combined report which was approved by all the SSAG and subsequently by the ECOM. The combined report was published
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in Seed Testing International and this, plus the three independent reviews are available on the SSAG page of the ISTA website. TOR 2: Respond to requests from ECOM and TCOM Chairs for advice related to scientific issues The Moisture Committee notified the SSAG that they are working on the application of eRH for determining seed moisture content. The SSAG Chair responded to an enquiry from the Germination Committee regarding an investigation into problems associated with germination and possibly vigour of clover seed.
Other activities: SSAG prize: A new prize was introduced to the Seed Symposium to be awarded to an oral or poster paper submitted to the ISTA Seed Symposium that shows: ‘Achievement in taking research towards practical application in seed quality evaluation’. All abstracts submitted to the Seed Symposium were reviewed by all the SSAG members and 10 papers identified for further scrutiny during the symposium. These included both oral and poster papers. The SSAG members attending the Symposium agreed that the prize should be awarded to the poster: Detection and identification of invasive plants and weed seeds using next generation sequencing (NGS), by Marie-Jose Cote, Steve Jones, Eliane Guillemette, Guillaume Bilodeau and Cheryl Dollard, from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. ISSS triennial conference 2017: Alan Taylor as a member of both the SSAG and the Scientific Committee for the ISSS conference is leading the organisation of an ISTA Session as part of the meeting. Discussions have taken place with the International Relations WG of the ECOM, the SSAG Chair and the ISSS Scientific Committee regarding invited speakers and organisation of the session
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8. Report of the ISTA Secretariat
8.1 Secretariat staff This report chronicles the activities and changes in the Secretariat during 2016 calendar year. During this period the Secretariat went through a number of personnel changes: • The Membership administartion has left ISTA in May 2016; the responsibilities were shared between Olga Stöckli and Agnes Hegedüs. • The ISTA Secretary General has left the Secretariat at September 30, 2016 • The Marketing specialist has left the Secretariat at November 31, 2016 • The Publicaton specialist has been retired at December 31, 2016 • Patricia Muschick, Head of Administration is on personal leave since May 2014 • Nadine Ettel will be in maternity leave from February 2017 • A new TCOM assistant, Andreea Militaru, has been temporary employed to perform the administrative tasks related to the TCOMs activity; her temporary employment starts in January 2017 • Ronal Don has agreed to replace Nadine for some specific tasks, where technical expertise is necessary and cannot be covered by Andreea Militaru; he will start his tasks in February 2017 • Branislava Opra has been nominated in January 2016 as ISTA Secretariat Quality manager • Florina Palada, the Head of the Accreditation and Technical Department, is deputising the ISTA Secretary General. The appointment as deputy is effective from October 1, 2016 and will continue until a new ISTA Secretary General begins employment with the ISTA Secretariat. • Christine Herzog, the new system auditor has been selected and she will start her work at Secretariat in January 2017 • The marketing activities are outsouced; a contract with Pierrick Marcoux has been agreed and he will start to administrate the ISTA marketing/communication aspects as an external consultant in January 2017. Thus, at the end of the year 2016 the Secretariat numerates the following 6 people that are employed as 5.6 full time equivalent employees:
Role Name %FTE Secretary General Vacant 1 Publication Specialist Vacant 1 TCOM Coordinator Nadine Ettel 1 Head of Accreditation and Technical Florina Palada 1 Department / Acting Secretary General System Auditor/Quality manager Branislava Opra 1 Head of Administration Department Patricia Muschick 1 Sales and Office Administrator Agnes Hegedüs 1 Audits Administrator Sejal Patel 0.6 Administrator, Events, Documentation, Olga Stöckli and Membership 1
8.2 Secretariat work Partially office reorganization: in 2016 the ISTA Secretariat office space has been partially reorganised to enhance work efficiency and create a more pleasant work environment. The Secretary General office has been reorganised and its destination has neen changed in a meeting room with an appropriate video conference device.
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For the office of the Secretary General another room has been assigned.
8.3 Functions The following is the division of responsibilities and labour amongst the Secretariat members and/or external service providers at the end of 2016:
8.3.1 Administration: Lead by Secretary General. The Administration team includes Agnes Hegedus and Olga Stockli. The main tasks of Agnes are the financial administration, invoicing, settling all incoming and outgoing payments, ISTA publications and products sales administration, general office, TCOM and Workshop administration. Agnes is also reponsible for monthly reporting of staff time registration and Membership administration - financial aspects. Olga is responsible for the Events organization and Membership administration; she is in charge of communication with the local organizers and provides them support. She leads the documentation and preparation of the contractual agreements needed upfront ISTA events. Olga is responsible to the registration process. Membership administration includes receiving and responding to membership queries; managing the membership database; handling all communication with members regarding their membership and payments, and coordinating the assignment of designated authorities and voting nominations.
8.3.2 Human Resources: RSM Switzerland AG (RSM) was requested to assist ISTA with the review and completion of the Employee Handbook (EH). A revision of the Secretariat employment contracts has been done. This work is continuing.
8.3.3 Finance: The Secretary General oversees the finances of the Association. All of the booking is divided between an external accounting firm Hugo Buff Treuhand AG, and Agnes Hegedus.
8.3.4 IT • Computing hardware, connectivity and software is outsourced to Prisma • Website hosted by MySign AG, maintenance of the website contents by the secretariat staff • Web conferencing provided through Arkadin
8.3.5 Marketing: Results & Achievements: Social media and digital At the end of 2016, the ISTA page on LinkedIn already counts +950 Followers Continuous posting on LinkedIn is done several times per month (in average, 2 to 4 posts per month depending on relevance) and a monthly key performance indicators report is shared within the working group Marketing ISTA website: marketing has made best effort to clarify the situation with the external supplier appointed to conduct the renewal of the ISTA website. Comprehensive written reports and suggestions were shared with the deputising Secretary General and the ISTA ECOM officers to take this project forward.
Marekting brochures & publications In the context of promoting the Accreditation programme, the following document has been created: “ISTA ACCREDITATION PROGRAMME, THE PASSPORT TO HIGHER SEED QUALITY”
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This document is printed in an A5 format, to be distributed during congresses or inserted into information packages. A digital version (flipbook) has been created as well so that the same information can be shared by email. As a member of the Editorial Board, active contribution to issue 151 and 152 of STI. Contribution includes redaction of several reports and articles, including the magazine “editorial”. Contribution also includes recommendation of improvements. Conception and redaction of a new communication tool “FRESH IN THE FIELD” – a column dedicated to the new generation of seed scientists. In the first article, the spotlight was on Monika Grundler, a 28-year-old PhD student and research assistant who received the ISTA Seed Symposium Award 2016.
Events In order to provide ISTA with a larger exposure during events, a new booth has been delivered. About the new booth: - ISTA will be using this booth at its Annual Meetings and Congresses - And also during other Seed events such as APSA, AFSTA, ISF etc...
An ISTA GUESTBOOK has been produced and presented for the first time during the ISTA annual meeting in Tallinn, June 2016. The Guestbook provides an opportunity to all ISTA enthusiasts to leave a personal note - enhancing the feeling of belonging to a community.
As a follow up of ISTA’s congress in Tallinn, the following initiatives were taken:
A thank you note has been sent to all Exhibitors
- 1:1 follow up has been made by email with all companies/laboratories/individuals that have shown interest in ISTA Membership and/or ISTA Accreditation
- Direct follow up with all non-members who attended the non-members meeting in Tallinn on June 16
- A press release was sent to media to announce election of the new ECOM 2016-2019
As a follow-up of the African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA) congress, emails were sent to all Delegates met by ISTA representative during the Congress and who had shown interest in ISTA membership and/or in ISTA Accreditation programme
In preparation of the forthcoming events in 2016, direct communication has been established with the following seed associations:
- European Seed Association (ESA) / Congress in Rome, Italy, October 2016 - Asia Pacific Seed Association (APSA) / Congress in Incheon, Korea, November 2016 - American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) / Congress in Chicago, US, December 2016
Discussions within the ECOM working group International Relations took place in order to define who should represent ISTA at these events.
Communucations & PR Main Media clippings about ISTA are being recorded and regularly shared with ECOM and TCOM members by email. To highlight some of the achievements:
- An article about “Fresh In The Field”, in SeedQuest, July 2016 - An article about “ISTA Accreditation Programme”, in SeedNews, July 2016 - An article in Seed Times, the magazine of the National Seed Association of India (NSAI), July 2016 - Several news about the new ECOM 2016-2019 were published in Seed World, SeedQuest, June 2016
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A comprehensive tracker of Media and PR coverage for 2016 has been documented. More than 40 Media coverage (Print, Online) of ISTA were identified and gathered. This does not include all possible likes/forward/comments that are being shared from the ISTA page on LinkedIn.
The database of PR/MEDIA/PUBLICATIONS contacts (initiated in 2015) has been continuously updated
Industry Membership A summary of actions taken and benefits offered to the Industry Members has been prepared and shared with the Industry Members Best efforts were made to implement a reoccurring Seed Industry Advisory Group meeting (web conference) and to maintain an active professional communication with Industry Members ISTA now counts a new Industry Member: Hem Zaden BV (the Netherlands)
World Seed Partnership
The World Seed Partnership (WSP) is a joint initiative by five international organizations:
- International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) - International Seed Federation (ISF) - Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) - Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) - International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV)
The mission of the World Seed Partnership is to provide a focal point for information on internationally harmonized seed systems and to communicate their role in supporting sustainable agriculture The WSP has commissioned the development of a website. Several meetings and web conferences took place in order to move this project forward
Branding – ISTA trademark Important work has been conducted in conjunction with ISTA lawyer to secure the ISTA trademarks (including ISTA logo and ISTA motto ”Uniformity in Seed Testing”) which had expired for both Swiss and International registrations
Swiss registration has been formally renewed for 10 years, until 2026
International registration, several steps have been completed to achieve renewal. Final renewal must be completed by ISTA secretariat until March 2017
Marekting/Communication at ISTA – the way forward Head of Marketing resigned from his position and left the ISTA Secretariat by end of October 2016. While resigning, Head of Marketing offered his services as external Marketing Consultant in order to continue the Marketing/Communication efforts that were initiated.
8.3.6 Representation: During 2016, ISTA was represented by the Secretary General at the following events:
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• The International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), Geneva, Switzerland • World Seed Congress, Punta del Este,Uruguay • World Seed Project, Rome, Italy
8.3.7 Event organization: 31st ISTA Congress 2016 took place in Tallinn, Estonia, with the following 242 participants from 52 countries. Meeting was closed with profit 24 550 EUR. Number of participants in ISTA Congress 2016:
165 180 160 140 120 100 80 52 60 40 8 11 20 0 Members Non members Invited guest Students
2% 5% Africa
16% Australia/Oceania Asia/Pacific South America 52% 11% USA/Canada East Europe 9% West Europe 5%
8.3.8 Publications: ISTA Rules The updating, formatting, coordination and integration of the different translations and other required maintenance of the source files carried out by Jonathan Taylor with support from the ECOM Publication WG. Production of handbooks/other publications - Jonathan Taylor. Seed Testing International (STI):
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An editorial team made of Florina Palada, Pierrick Marcoux and Jonathan Taylor met regularly to complete STI editorial work. For the production of first issue of 2016, the Secretary General Beni Kauffman has been involved as well. Mailing lists and distribution is organised by Agnes Hegedus. Two STI issues ( no.151 and no. 152) were successfully produced and distributed. Seed Science and Technology Communication and management of publishing the journal in hard copy and on line managed by Jonathan Taylor. Uploading of Fasttrack articles and registration of digital object identifiers (DOIs) is implemented by Jonathan Taylor. Uploading of the final articles and amending the DOI registrations is implemented, as before, by our SST typesetter Lucie Eng. Distribution and subscriptions managed by Agnes Hegedus. Web site Different people maintain those parts of the website relevant to their role. A project towards the redesign and construction of a new ISTA web site with a new look and enhanced functionalities is in progress. Newsletters Prepared by different staff members depending on the subject
8.3.9 TCOM Coordination Executed by Nadine Ettel, this includes: The on-going coordination and management of the TCOMs annual cycle including various reports and studies, information updating of the TCOM web sites. Administration and coordination of the Method Validation Programme. Providing support for workshop organization, registration and management; in the passing year we have re- write, and refined the instructions to workshop local organizers Leading the organization of the GMO Proficiency Test rounds communication with laboratories data entry and management. Supporting the organization of the Seed Health Proficiency Test, registration, communication with laboratories.
8.3.10 Accreditation: Managed by Florina Palada, the Head of the Accreditation and Technical Department. Auditing, provided by Florina Palada and Branislava Opra, and a team of contracted system and technical auditors around the world. Activities include: • Pre-accreditation and pre-audit activities related to the interested laboratories/sampling entities • Initial and re-accreditation audits of applicants and existing accredited laboratories/sampling entities • Following up of corrective actions
The Audits administration is provided by Sejal Patel. Sejal is providing administrative support to the Accreditation and Technical Department, this include coordinating with the laboratories and the auditors the Audit schedule. Assisting with materials and documentation in preparation for audits. Making travel arrangements for the Auditors. Organizing and conducting a Proficiency Test Programme as well as the Mini-Proficiency Test Programme executed by Branislava Opra. Work includes:
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• Obtaining seed for some Proficiency Test rounds • Managing registration • Obtaining relevant documents for shipment • Shipment • Data entry and analysis • Reporting
Other activities of the Accreditation department • Organisation of Quality Assurance Workshops • Training of the new system auditor at ISTA Secretariat • Recruiting and training of contracted system and technical auditors • Optimisation of the database
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9. Finances of the Association In January 2016, the ISTA accounts were audited by financial auditors BDO AG, who found them to be in order. The report of the financial auditors is included after the presentation of the financial figures. The turnover stayed very similar to last year with the exception of audit fees which decreased due to the new process of splitting the amount due into three installments. The process will be finished by 2018. Therefore the turnover has been reduced to a total of 2,515,031 CHF for the year 2016, which was also in line of the total income predicted in the 2016 budget (2,474,154 CHF). The financial result shown for the year 2016 is positive, with a balance of 22,605 CHF. Some areas to highlight include: Subscription: Overall, we have experienced a little increase of around 29,000 CHF in ISTA’s income from Subscription. The growth is mainly due to higher income from 2016 Congress in Estonia which compensated the decrease of income for the workshops of 2016, wich were again less, in terms of actually executed workshops, than in the years before. Service centres: ISTA Rules sales: Switching to rules on-line now has stabalized the income from Rules around 60,000 CHF per year. Accreditation: The change in the procedure for invoicing the audit fees in three installments led to the expected drop in income within this section. However, the decline has been less than shown in the budget, which is mainly due to the fact that some laloratories still paid the full amount of 13,000 CHF instead of the installment of 4,330. Seed Science and Technology subscriptions: Overall the outcome is almost identical as in the previous years. Technical Publications: The turnover of 2016 climbed back to the level of 2014. This increase is owed to a higher demand of handbooks in general than the previous year, since there are still no new handbooks or updates published. ISTA Certificates sale: In 2016 the total sales of ISTA certificates was another 3% lower than the previous year but around 20,000 CHF higher than budgeted. All together the Service centers, without the accreditation fees, yielded around the same level than the previous year. Operating costs: The office costs had a major increase of 118,313 CHF compared to 2015, together with the marketing and website expenses, it led to a rise in expenses in this area of roughly 129,000 CHF. The additional expense is mostly atributed to higher IT-costs regarding the update for the Navision software program as well as a higher rent and last but not least higher costs for remodelling the website, for which the process is still ongoing. This year, mainly due to the above mentioned circumstances in the accreditation and operating costs areas, will be a significantly lower provision of 247,500 CHF set aside to build up the Association’s reserves. The detailed overview of the accounts is presented in the following pages and gives figures for the profit and loss for the years 2016, 2015 and 2014 and the budgets for 2017 and 2018 as approved by the Executive Committee.
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ISTA draft Budget 2017 2015 2016 Proposed 2017 Proposed 2018 INCOME Subscriptions Annual Membership Subscription 1'257'819.06 1'304'252.97 1'222'830.00 1'220'000.00 Accreditation Subscription 167'688.00 160'608.67 164'016.00 160'000.00 Annual Meetings 5'889.30 35'140.96 7'590.00 10'000.00 Technical Committees WS 89'752.76 45'348.69 68'000.00 65'000.00 STI Advertisement 0.00 0.00 1'000.00 1'000.00 1'521'149.12 1'545'351.29 1'463'436.00 1'456'000.00 Service Centres ISTA Rules 61'533.64 60'659.56 55'000.00 50'000.00 Accreditation Audits 598'000.00 311'860.00 359'400.00 519'000.00 Proficiency Test incl. GMO 12'911.50 13'670.00 14'000.00 10'000.00 QA Workshops 0.00 9'684.72 10'000.00 10'000.00 Seed Science and Technology 118'606.80 117'557.46 120'000.00 120'000.00 Technical Publications and calibration samples 22'441.50 31'379.89 30'500.00 30'000.00 Certificates 556'718.09 540'737.05 520'000.00 520'000.00 Website 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1'370'211.53 1'085'548.68 1'108'900.00 1'259'000.00 Losses in receivables -58'716.97 -115'868.75 -52'140.00 -50'000.00 Total Income 2'832'643.68 2'515'031.22 2'520'196.00 2'665'000.00 EXPENDITURE Direct Costs Annual Meetings & Congresses -60'396.63 -36'337.84 -37'000.00 -90'000.00 Executive Committee+President -10'926.95 -16'390.42 -40'000.00 -20'000.00 Technical Committees WS and 3K grants -59'919.27 -102'401.77 -126'600.00 -117'000.00 Seed Testing International -26'296.40 -27'696.94 -37'000.00 -35'000.00 -157'539.25 -182'826.97 -240'600.00 -262'000.00 Service Centres ISTA Rules 0.00 -7'896.63 -10'250.00 -10'000.00 Accreditation Audits -167'132.22 -266'731.44 -208'000.00 -220'000.00 Proficiency Test incl. GMO -15'668.27 -43'022.45 -53'000.00 -35'000.00 QA Workshops 0.00 -6'907.39 -7'500.00 -7'500.00 Seed Science and Technology -68'080.11 -77'898.61 -75'000.00 -75'000.00 Technical Publications and calibration samples -6'000.00 -3'091.80 -14'500.00 -14'000.00 Certificates -33'179.31 -31'618.57 -35'000.00 -35'000.00 Provisions for fluctuations -843'500.00 -247'500.00 0.00 0.00 -1'133'559.91 -684'666.89 -403'250.00 -396'500.00 Personnel expenses Salaries -979'883.25 -954'943.25 -970'767.65 -1'050'000.00 Social Security and insurances -212'867.90 -218'395.55 -285'230.30 -345'000.00 Other personel expenses incl. Recruitments -9'467.13 -8'973.77 -10'000.00 -10'000.00 Staff Training -4'297.20 -1'937.84 -30'000.00 -30'000.00 Prov. for recruitment and relocation costs SG -554.33 -14'956.17 -40'000.00 0.00 -1'207'069.81 -1'199'206.58 -1'315'997.95 -1'535'000.00 Operating Costs Office Costs -209'298.55 -327'611.63 -273'000.00 -270'000.00 Travel Costs (International Representation) -30'422.13 -32'397.23 -30'000.00 -30'000.00 Marketing Costs -32'497.17 -10'210.50 -20'000.00 -20'000.00
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Website -12'543.47 -43'579.89 -50'000.00 -50'000.00 Projects 0.00 0.00 -126'000.00 -90'000.00 -284'761.32 -413'799.25 -529'000.00 -460'000.00
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets -3'500.19 -4'957.82 -2'300.00 -2'300.00
Financial costs -30'927.09 -10'725.45 -5'000.00 -5'000.00 Financial income 6'467.02 5'483.62 10'000.00 10'000.00
Prior-period costs -10'755.49 -9'821.41 0.00 0.00 Prior-period income 41'885.11 8'094.33 0.00 0.00
Total Expenses -2'779'760.93 -2'492'426.42 -2'486'147.95 -2'650'800.00 Result 52'882.75 22'604.80 -34'048.06 14'200.00
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2016 YEAR END CLOSING ACCOUNT 2014 ACCOUNT 2015 ACCOUNT 2016
ASSETS
Currents Assets Cash Petty Cash (Accounts 1000,1001,1002) 3'793.37 1'923.92 5'117.89 Postal account (Accounts 1010,1011,1015,1016) 992'552.74 979'669.26 967'545.16 Zürcher Kantonalbank, current account (Account 1020) 3'159'309.28 4'046'065.86 4'451'100.04 Zürcher Kantonalbank, deposit account (Account 1021) 49'691.31 70'143.21 144'333.41 Zürcher Kantonalbank, USD account (Account 1025) 48'989.49 34'916.36 15'446.10 Zürcher Kantonalbank, EUR account (Account 1026) 137'178.04 94'100.57 27'682.07 Zürcher Kantonalbank, EUR account Congrss (Account 1030) 40'484.70 36'590.22 33'112.58 Zürcher Kantonalbank, GBP account Congrss (Account 1031) 6'749.89 6'512.11 18'619.17 4'438'748.82 5'269'921.51 5'662'956.42
Trade receivables Membership subscriptions, certificates and publications (Accounts 1100,1111,1112,1113 ) 40'405.41 37'283.87 53'011.79 Allowance on doubtful accounts (Account 1120) -4'000.00 -3'720.00 -5'300.00 36'405.41 33'563.87 47'711.79
Other accounts receivable Other accounts receivable (Account 1110,2320) 1'372.50 349.76 16'338.10 Withholding tax (Account 1150) 1'345.65 822.75 858.15 Value added Tax (Account 1155,1156,1157,2055,2057) 8'839.94 11'828.73 15'561.74 11'558.09 13'001.24 32'757.99
Accrued income and prepaid expenses Prepaid expenses (Accounts 1300) 63'049.09 69'795.06 30'874.05 63'049.09 69'795.06 30'874.05
Fixed assets Financial assets (Account 1400) 140'407.00 136'093.00 136'202.00 Tangible fixed assets (Accounts 1500,1520) 10'590.00 7'350.00 9'390.00 150'997.00 143'443.00 145'592.00
4'700'758.41 5'529'724.68 5'919'892.25
LIABILITIES + EQUITY
Short-term liabilities Trade creditors (Account 2000,2001,2002,2005,2006) -75'963.55 -87'441.60 -39'093.54 Other accounts payable (Accounts 2200,2220,2250,2260,2270,2280,2321) 3'955.40 -18'181.95 -65'794.40 Advance payments (Accounts 2100,2101,2102,2103,2104,2106,2107,2108,2109,2110,2112) -1'013'632.22 -913'110.95 -1'059'253.95 Accrued expenses (Accounts 2120,2121,2122,2123,2124,2125,2300,2310,2350,2355,2360,2366,2367,2370.2371,) -128'518.80 -148'008.19 -122'663.57 -1'214'159.17 -1'166'742.69 -1'286'805.46
Long-term liabilities
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Provisions (Account 2910) -2'709'000.00 -3'532'500.00 -3'780'000.00 -2'709'000.00 -3'532'500.00 -3'780'000.00
Equity Equity (Account 2800) -758'151.18 -777'599.24 -830'481.99 Profit/Loss (Account 2998) -19'448.06 -52'882.75 -22'604.80 -777'599.24 -830'481.99 -853'086.79
-4'700'758.41 -5'529'724.68 -5'919'892.25
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C. Reports of the Technical Committees
You will find on the following pages the reports of the Technical Committees for the calendar year 2016. These reports give an indication of progress towards achievement of the working programmes approved by the TCOM. Activity Working Programmes arranged in alphabetical order of Committee: ATC Advanced Technologies Committee BSC Bulking and Sampling Committee FSC Flower Seed Committee FTS Forest Tree and Shrub Seed Committee GER Germination Committee GMO GMO Committee MOI Moisture Committee NOM Nomenclature Committee PUR Purity Committee SHC Seed Health Committee STA Statistics Committee STO Storage Committee TEZ Tetrazolium Committee VAR Variety Committee VIG Vigour Committee
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1. ATC Advanced Technologies Committee
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP LIST change comments 1 CHAIR: Bert van Duijn Netherlands 2 VICE-CHAIR: Brigitte South Africa Moved from Switserland to South Africa end 2016 Hamman 3 Birte Boelt Denmark 4 Kent Bradford United States 5 Mailén Ariela Martinez Argentina Joined end 2016 6 Henry Bruggink Netherlands Offical member in 2016 7 Harry Nijenstein Netherlands 8 Devaraja Achar India Joined end 2016 10 Zhujun Zhu China 11 Ghasem Tohidloo Iran 12 Mieczyslaw Grzesik Poland 13 Karima Boudehri France 14 Sebastian Bobber Germany Joined end 2016 15 Francisco G. Gomes Jr. Brazil Joined end 2016
B. PUBLICATIONS B1. Publications to accompany the Rules B3. Scientific information publications
remarks Publication title proposed collaboration update finalisation progress 1 ATC Web-pages Content to be added continuously 2 Article on X-ray images February Working group established, draft to be completed in seeds (STI) 2017 3 Overview of all image June 2017 Presented (partly) at different meetings. In prep for web forming technologies publication. and their application to seeds 4 Info paper on June 2017 Working group established. nanotechnology
C. WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS C1. Training and education workshops
remarks workshop subject proposed collaboration update location finalisation progress 1 Workshop on Seed Autumn Workshopped planned Multispectral Image 2017 Analysis (Denmark) 2 Specific technology 2017/2018 workshop (to be discussed) C2 Seminars
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remarks Seminar subject proposed collaboration update location finalisation progress 1
F. SPECIAL PROJECTS project title / subject remarks collaborating proposed collaboration update committees finalisation progress 1 Chlorophyll Finalised SSAG To be started in 2016; SSAG opinion received and valued. fluorescence and Autumn Based on this next actions will be considered/discussed germinating seeds: 2017 gaps to be filled? 2 Overview of image June 2017 forming technologies and their application to seeds 3 Nanotechnology for Feb 2017 Working group established seeds; a first exploration 4 Finding new continuous technologies
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2. BSC Bulking and Sampling Committee
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP LIST change comments
1 CHAIR: Eddie Goldschagg South Africa 2 VICE-CHAIR: Leena Pietilä Finland 3 Lotta Claesson Sweden 4 Marie Duter New Zealand 5 Fabio Gorian Italy 6 Gerry Hall United Kingdom 7 Steve Jones Canada 8 Michael Kruse Germany 9 David Johnston United States Joined 2016 10 José Maurício Pereira Brazil 11 Mable Simwanza Zambia 12 Jean-Claude Stephan France 13 Ad Toussaint Netherlands 14 Dot Vittrup Pedersen Denmark 15 Ignacio Aranciaga Argentina Joined 2016
A. RULES DEVELOPMENT A1. Introduction of New Methods
remarks
Method name proposed collaboration update subject finalisation progress
1 Seed Sampling methods for 2019 TESTA, Seed Health Waiting for proposal from TESTA Seed Health testing Committee 2 Validation of the tube trier 2019 Working group established 3 Sampling of Orobanche & Striga 2017 PUR In progress, Working Group 4 Sampling of seed mixtures 2017 In progress, Working Group 5 Use of drum-type mixers before 2019 Under discussion dividing A2. Introduction of New Species
remarks
Species and test proposed collaboration update finalisation progress
1 Papaya carica 2016 PUR & GER Proposal approved at 2016 Annual Meeting 2 Brassica carinata 2017 PUR & GER Accepted by BSC, submitted for approval at 2017 Annual Meeting 3 Chenopodium quinoa 2017 PUR & GER Accepted by BSC, submitted for approval at 2017 Annual Meeting 4 Salvia hispanica 2017 PUR & GER Accepted by BSC, submitted for approval at 2017 Annual Meeting 5 Sorghum species (Hybrids) 2019 PUR Collection of data in progress A3. Introduction of Rules Changes
remarks
Subject proposed collaboration update finalisation progress
1 Amendment of 1.3 – Conditions 2016 Rule change approved at 2016 Annual for issuance ISTA Certificates Meeting 2 Amendment of 1.4.2 – Orange 2016 Rule change approved at 2016 Annual International Seed Lot Certificate Meeting - containers 3 Amendment of 2.2.2 – sub-lot 2016 Rule change approved at 2016 Annual definition Meeting
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4 Amendment of 2.2.10 – label 2016 Rule change approved at 2016 Annual security Meeting 5 Amendment of 2.5.1.2 – 2016 Rule change approved at 2016 Annual Minimum inside diameters of Meeting Nobbe trier and sampling stick 6 Amendment of 2.5.1.2 – 2016 Rule change approved at 2016 Annual Sampling intensity Meeting 7 Amendment of 2.5.1.3 – Taking 2016 Rule change approved at 2016 Annual primary samples Meeting 8 Amendment of 2.5.1.5 – 2016 Rule change approved at 2016 Annual Obtaining the submitted sample Meeting 9 Amendment of 2.5.2.2 – Sample 2016 Proposal withdrawn by BSC for further reduction methods discussion 10 Amendment of 2.5.2.2.1 – 2016 Rule change approved at 2016 Annual Approved dividers Meeting 11 Amendment of 2.5.2.2,1 - 2016 Rule change approved at 2016 Annual Revision of Mechanical Divider Meeting methods (channel width) 12 Amendment of 2.5.4.3 – 2016 Rule change approved at 2016 Annual Verifying of marking of Meeting containers 13 Amendment of 2.5.4.4 – making 2016 Rule change approved at 2016 Annual Protocol for approval of Meeting automatic samplers obligatory 14 Amendment of 2.5.4.5 - 2016 GER, PUR Rule change approved at 2016 Annual minimum size of submitted Meeting samples and 2.5.4.7 - storage of submitted samples after testing 15 Amendment of 2.9.1.3 – weight 2016 Rule change approved at 2016 Annual of working sample for Meeting heterogeneity testing 16 Amendment of Table 2G Part 1 2016 Rule change approved at 2016 Annual and 2, provision for other seed Meeting count higher than 138 17 Necessity to use both H-values 2017 Under discussion and R-Values for heterogeneity testing 18 Amendment of 2.5.2.2. – 2017 Rule change NOT approved by BSC, Mechanical dividing of fragile withdrawn seeds 19 Amendment of 2.5.2.2. c) - 2017 Rule change NOT approved by BSC, Centrifugal dividers not for withdrawn mixtures 20 Amendment of 2.5.4.1.b) – Seed 2017 Rule change approved by BSC and lot size – encrusted seed submitted for voting at 2017 Annual Meeting 21 Amendment of Table 2A – 2017 PUR Rule change approved by BSC and different sample sizes for mono submitted for voting at 2017 Annual & multi germ Beta vulgaris Meeting 22 Amendment of 11.2.5.4.1 – Seed 2017 Rule change approved by BSC and lot size – encrusted seed submitted for voting at 2017 Annual Meeting 23 Amendment of Chapter 18: 2017 PUR, GERM Rule change approved by BSC and Testing Seed Mixtures – new submitted for voting at 2017 Annual revised Chapter Meeting
B. PUBLICATIONS
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B1. Publications to accompany the Rules
remarks
Publication title proposed collaboration update . finalisation progress
1 ISTA Handbook on Seed 2017 ISTA Accreditation Editorial refinement in progress, ready to Sampling Department submit to ISTA for printing B2. Training publications on specific seed testing topics
remarks
Publication title proposed collaboration update finalisation progress
1 Supporting material for ‘Train the 2019 Discussion will start after finalisation of trainers’ Handbook 2 Supporting material for ‘Train the 2019 In process, Workshop held, first clips trainers’ – video clips taken, follow-up Workshop planned for March 2017 B3. Scientific information publications
remarks
Publication title proposed collaboration update finalisation progress
1
C. WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS C1. Training and education workshops
remarks
workshop subject proposed collaboration update location finalisation progress
1 Workshop on Sampling and Sept 2016 AsureQuality Successfully concluded, 27 participants Quality Assurance in Seed Sampling, Ashburton, New Zealand 2 Combined Workshop on Seed Dec 2016 TSSOSA, GERM, Successfully concluded, 27 participants Sampling, Purity and PUR Germination, Hyderabad, India 3 Workshop on Sampling and To be Jordbruksverket Under consideration Quality Assurance in Seed decided Sampling, focus on Automatic sampling, Sweden 4 Workshop on Sampling and To be State Inspectorate of Under discussion Quality Assurance in Seed decided Agriculture of Ukraine Sampling, Ukraine 5 Combined Workshop on Seed To be GERM, PUR Under consideration Sampling, Purity and decided Germination, TBA
F. SPECIAL PROJECTS project title / subject remarks
collaborating committees proposed collaboration update finalisation progress
1 Seed mixtures 2016 PUR, GER New Chapter 18 submitted as Rules Proposal for voting 2017 2 Sampling of small seed lots 2016 STAT Rules change proposal accepted 2016 3 Monitoring of sampling 2017 ISTA Accreditation Under discussion in the Committee Department 4 TESTA project on Seed Health 2018 TESTA, Seed Health Waiting for TESTA (sampling) Committee 5 Sampling for Orobanche / Striga 2017 PUR Working group established, in progress 6 Aligning ISTA Handbook on 2019 RUL Continuous Seed Sampling and Chapter 2 of
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ISTA Rules 7 Validation procedures for 2019 ECOM, STAT Working group established Sampling 8 Collaboration with auditors 2019 Accreditation Dept Meeting held June 2016, follow-up meeting in 2017 under concideration 9 Use of drum-type mixers before 2019 David Johnston Working group established dividing 10 Effect of samples submitted in 2016 Lotta Claesson Experiment concluded, Data being plastic bags on germination analysed 11 Supporting material for ‘Train the 2019 ECOM In process – Workshop held in Oct 2016, trainers’ – video clips first video clips taken, follow-up Workshop planned for March 2017 12 Q & A Webpage 2017 SEC In progress, waiting for Secretariat
E. QUESTIONS TO THE COMMITTEE subject of question from
country
1 Sampling of Coated Seeds Argentina 2 Sampling of Treated Seed ISTA Accreditation Department 3 Use of plastic bags for submitted samples – antistatic Germany 4 Automatic Sampler types Canada 5 Automatic Sampling ISTA Accreditation Department 6 Automatic Sampler approval ISTA Accreditation Department 7 Small Seed Lots Korea 8 Repacking of seed lots USA 9 Nobbe trier dimensions Iran 10 Seed lot size categories New Zealand 11 Coated Seeds seed lot sizes Argentina 12 Use of Sampling Units for small packages Argentina 13 Sampling of Tobacco ISTA Accreditation Department 14 Seed lot sizes Argentina 15 H-value used for heterogeneity testing Iran 16 Sampling intensity charts – small seed lots USA 17 Sampling of small packets Japan 18 Repacking of sub-lots The Netherlands 19 Repacking of sub-lots USA 20 Container sizes Lithuania 21 Treated seed definitions Argentina 22 Indication of weight of seed lots on OIC USA 23 Sealing of containers China via ISTA Accreditation Department
24 Use of mechanical dividers for reduction of fragile seeds ISTA Accreditation Department
New project New proposed finalisation date
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3.FSC Flower Seed Committee COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP LIST Country change comments 1 CHAIR: Rita Zecchinelli Italy 2 VICE-CHAIR: Sharon Davidson United States 3 United Rachel Davies Kingdom 4 Miriam Dekalo Keren Israel 5 Alice Di Sacco Italia 6 Sylvie Ducournau France 7 Kumiko Jinno Japan 8 Stefanie Kraemer Germany 9 Lucile Pretorius South Africa 10 United Maria Marin Kingdom 11 Zita Ripka Hungary 12 Soo-Young KIM South Korea 13 Jorge Juan Vicedo Spain Cecile Herzog Switzerland Resigned 14 15 A. RULES DEVELOPMENT A1. Introduction of New Methods Method name proposed collaboration remarks update subject finalisation progress 1 2 A2. Introduction of New Species Species and test proposed collaboration remarks update finalisation progress Felicia heterophylla - Germination, Purity FSC 73. Tests concluded. 1 2017 Waiting for statistical evaluation Eustoma spp. - Germination, Purity FSC 74. Tests concluded. 2 2017 Waiting for statistical evaluation GER GER XX. Study 3 Introduction of a germination method for Salvia hispanica 2017 not yet started. A3. Introduction of Rules Changes Subject proposed collaboration remarks update finalisation progress
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BSC Data collection in 1 Sample size for flower species (Table 2A part 3) 2019 progress. Not easy. 2 3 B. PUBLICATIONS B1. Publications to accompany the Rules Publication title proposed collaboration remarks update finalisation progress Working sheets for the ISTA Handbook on In progress Flower Seed Testing: Asparagus, 1 Consolida, Digitalis, Linaria, Myosotis, 2017 GER, PUR, TEZ Nicotiana, Nigella, Phlox, Saponaria, Scabiosa, Silene Working sheets for the ISTA Handbook on In progress Flower Seed Testing: Echium, Helipterum, 2 Kalanchoe, Mimulus, Nemesia, 2018 GER, PUR, TEZ Nemophila, Penstemon, Senecio, Solanum, Tripleurospermum, Verbascum Working sheets for the ISTA Handbook on In progress Flower Seed Testing: Angelica, Arthemisia, Cnicus, Datura, Echinacea, GER, PUR, TEZ 3 Hyssopus, Lavandula, Marrubium, 2019 Matricaria, Melissa, Mentha, Perilla, Pimpinella, Reseda, Ruta, Thymus, Sylibum, Valeriana Information: 31 new sheets intended to be published as supplement of the ISTA Handbook on Flower Seed Testing are ready at available at the Secretariat. A plan for the publication was agreed in 2015. Basing on that plan all 31 sheets should have been published by the end of 20165. No one has been published. B2. Training publications on specific seed testing topics Publication title proposed collaboration remarks update finalisation progress 1 2 3 B3. Scientific information publications Publication title proposed collaboration remarks update finalisation progress 1 2 3 C. WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS C1. Training and education workshops workshop subject proposed collaboration remarks update location finalisation progress ISTA/AOSA Flower Seed Committees joint In progress 1 2017 AOSA WORKSHOP (Colorado, USA 2017). TBC 2
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3 C2. Seminars Seminar subject proposed collaboration remarks update location finalisation progress 1 2 3 D. Proficiency Tests Proficiency Test Subject proposed collaboration remarks update finalisation progress 1 ISTA PT 17-3 Gypsophila elegans (GER) 2017 PTC In progress 2 3 F. SPECIAL PROJECTS project title / subject proposed collaboration remarks update collaborating committees finalisation progress Collection of information about seed Project not yet started. testing for: spice, herb and medicinal 1 species (inclusion of new working sheets 2019 GER, PUR, TEZ in the ISTA Handbook on Flower Seed Testing – to be decided) Dormancy breaking treatments in Project not yet started. Passiflora (Passiflora is not included in the 2 ISTA Rules; before any study aimed to its 2018 GER inclusion, it is necessary to define suitable treatments for dormancy breaking) Wild flower species (as part of a larger Project not yet started. ISTA project on wild species, organized in 3 2017 co-operation with other Association/Institutions) Questionnaire to the ISTA labs and Project not yet started. 4 stakeholders about flower seed testing 2017 activities
E. QUESTIONS TO THE COMMITTEE
subject of question from
Country
Thevetia nerifolia, Dodonaea viscosa February 2016 India 1 & Caesalpinia pulcherrima: are they listed in the ISTA Rules? Nigella sativa: is the species included in May 2016 Unknown (through ISTA) 2 the group of flower species? 2 GER methods for Platycodon grandiflorum July 2016 South Africa
New project
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New proposed finalisation date
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4. FTS Forest Tree and Shrub Seed Committee
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP LIST Remarks
1 CHAIR: Fabio Gorian Italy 2 VICE-CHAIR: Elisa Vieira Brazil New vice-chair (June 2016) 3 Lena Bezdeckova Czech Republic New FTS member (2016) 4 Valérie Blouin France 5 Heidi Røsok Bye Norway 6 Isolde Ferraz Brazil 7 Robert Karrfalt United States 8 Dave Kolotelo Canada 9 Czeslaw Koziol Poland 10 Steffi Kraemer Germany 11 Beti Piotto Italy 12 Hugh Pritchard United Kingdom 13 Dale Simpson Canada 14 Marija Gradecki-Postenjak Croatia 15 Edoardo Vincenti UK New FTS member (2016) 16
A. RULES DEVELOPMENT A1. Introduction of New Methods
remarks
Method name proposed collaboration update subject finalisation progress
1 Alternative germination 2016 GER, STO, FSC, The work, led by the FTS Committee substrates (i.e. agar)-for Kew, AOSA with the contribution of David Johnston conservation programs (seed on Pinus sylvestris (WG12) banks)-small seed lots and other tests A test plan with 3 different lots is in progress and with 8 participant laboratories and could lead to the future use of Agar substrate for seed germination in ISTA Rules. But it seems that David Johnston will not continue with this project 2 Alternative germination 2016 Uniud, CNBF Peri No news substrates A2. Introduction of New Species
remarks
Species and test proposed collaboration update finalisation progress
1 Validation of germination 2018 GER (Kew) Germination tests will be planned for 5 methods for species; working group leader tropical/subtropical tree appointed (WG5). H.Pritchard is species exploring the way to do it
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2 Validation of germination for 2017 TEZ (we changed Working group organized (WG6): Juglans spp. the analysis from Andrea Jonitz is going to contribute to Ger to Tez) this working group together with Steffi Kraemer 3 Validation of germination for 2017 GER Working group re-organized (WG4): Jatropha curcas Elisa Vieira is going to contribute to this working group. A3. Introduction of Rules Changes
remarks
Subject proposed collaboration update finalisation progress
1 Revision of PSD 47 and 51 2018 PUR (ISTA Rules 3.2.1.1.2 and 3.2.3)
B. PUBLICATIONS B1. Publications to accompany the Rules
remarks
Publication title proposed collaboration update finalisation progress
1 Tree and shrub seed 2019 GER, TEZ See F4 Handbook (revision) B2. Training publications on specific seed testing topics
remarks
Publication title proposed collaboration update finalisation progress
1 Guia de propágulos e 2017 Kew Volume I, written in Portuguese, Plantulas da Amazônia, describes 50 species. A revised and volume 1: to publish in English, expanded version with a total of 75 Edited by Isolde D.K.Ferraz species is in progress. 2 Handbook on seedling 2019 GER Working group organized (WG11) evaluation: Improvement of tree and shrub photos of seedlings B3. Scientific information publications
remarks
Publication title proposed collaboration update
finalisation progress
1 FTS web-page 2017 to be updated
C. WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS C1. Training and education workshops
remarks
workshop subject proposed collaboration update location finalisation progress
1 No workshops planned in the 2019 FTS members are informed that a coming period proposal was raised by D.Kolotelo to organize in Canada a workshop: under discussion
D. PROFICIENCY TESTS Proficiency test subject proposed collaboration update location finalisation progress
1 PT Abies alba PT 2017/04 Ger 2017 GER, PT This proficiency test will be done next 2017
F. SPECIAL PROJECT Project title/subject remarks
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Proposed Collaborating committees collaboration Update progress finalisation OECD (Organization for FTS chair attended the Technical 1 Economic Cooperation and 2016 ISTA ECOM Working Group meeting and Annual Development) General Meeting (Hungary and Paris) ISF (International Seed FTS chair attended the Annual Tree 2 2016 ISTA ECOM Federation) and Shrub ISF Meeting (Hungary) ISKC (International Seed Kiln FTS chair attended the International 3 2016 ISTA ECOM Conference) Seed Kiln Conference in Malmoe (S) OECD (Organization for Data base and images on tree and 4 Economic Cooperation and 2016 ISTA ECOM shrub species Development) FTS chair attended the FAO Forest 5 FAO 2016 ISTA ECOM Genetic Resources meeting (biennial) FTS chair attended the first meeting of 6 EUFORGEN 2016 ISTA ECOM the EUFORGEN GenTree TWG New project New proposed finalisation date
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5. GER Germination Committee
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP LIST change comments
1 CHAIR: Sylvie France Ducournau 2 VICE-CHAIR: Gillian United Kingdom McLaren 3 Pernilla Andersson Sweden Joined the committee in June 2016 4 Ignacio Aranciaga Argentina 5 Sarah Dammen United States 6 Meriam Dekalo Keren Israël Joined the committee in June 2016 Ronald Don United Kingdom Left the committee in June 2016 7 Lesly Gonzalez Galaz Chile Joined the committee in November 2016 8 Fabio Gorian Italy 9 Aidin Hamidi Iran Joined the committee in June 2016 10 David Johnston United States 11 Andrea Jonitz Germany 12 Augusto Martinelli Argentina Lea Mazor Israel Left the committee in June 2016 13 Harry Nijenstein Netherlands Takayuki Okuda Japan Left the committee in June 2016 14 Rita Zecchinelli Italy Jin Wook Kim South Korea Left the committee in June 2016 15 Christine Herzog Switzerland Is leaving the committee in December 2016
A. RULES DEVELOPMENT A1. Introduction of New Methods
remarks
Method name proposed collaboration update subject finalisation progress
1 Validation study for a 2015 STA The work is led by Margriet van Eekelen revised method of the (Netherlands) germination of Dactylis glomerata and Festuca The objective was to reduce the duration for arundinacea germination of these species. The duration proposed for the germination test was 14 days for Dactylis glomerata and 10 days for Festuca arundinacea. Because of the sometimes big differences between the two last counts in both species, it was suggested to keep the duration for the germination tests at the present level in the ISTA Rules. A validation report was published and a presentation of the results obtained was done during the Uruguay meeting. 2 Use of soaking 2015 STA The work is led by Yu Sung (Taiwan). treatment for Momordica charantia seed The objective was to use a soaking treatment germination at 60°C for 10 minutes in order to improve the germination of these seeds. The results showed that seed infection caused problems in one laboratory. Moreover the results obtained for seed lot 2 were very variable and the soaking method gave variable results even if it improves germination of poor quality seed lot. The soaking treatment could not be included in the ISTA Rules for this species.
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3 Use of GA3 for Panicum Cancelled STA The working group leader is Augusto Martinelli maximum and Panicum (Argentina). coloratum seed germination test This study is cancelled due to the difficulty in having contact with the Argentinean team working on this topic.
4 Use of KNO3 for lettuce 2016 STA The working group leader is Pierre Soufflet seed germination test (France). This study has not yet started. 5 Alternative germination Postponed FTS The work is led by the FTS Committee with substrates (i.e. agar) for (no deadline the contribution of David Johnston on Pinus. conservation programs, at the seed banks, small seed moment) But: lots. 1) the costs of shipping the samples to the participating laboratories (around 4500 €); 2) D.Johnston changed company and it seems that he is no more able to be the test leader of this project; 3) no other people are at the moment able and interested in take the leadership of the project. It is better to postpone the project to the next triennium programme for Pinus and the use of agar will be tested for the germination of grass species. 6 Adding “O” as a primary 2017 STA The working group leader is David Johnston. substrate for Phaseolus spp., Pisum sativum and Phaseolus has been chosen as the first Zea mays. species for this study. The work is postponed to the next triennium for Phaseolus and Glycine max and it will be carried out by Philippe Garreau (GEVES, France) 7 Including BP substrate 2017 The work is led by Harry Nijenstein. for the germination method of some grass The objective is to develop a testing method, seeds compatible with the possibility of acquiring images during seed germination. Alternative substrate that may be included: agar. A2. Introduction of New Species
remarks
Species and test proposed collaboration update finalisation progress
1 Cleome gynandra: 2017 STA, BSC, The working group leaders are Lea Mazor and Introduction of PUR Meriam Dekalo-Keren. germination method
Prior to the study a survey will be sent the ISTA African countries to check the necessity of introducing it into ISTA Rules. 2 Chenopodium quinoa: 2016 STA, BSC, The working group leaders are Lesly Introduction of PUR Gonzalez Galaz (Chile) and Ignacio Aranciaga germination method (Argentina). The study is completed and the validation report is nearly completed. A rules proposal has been prepared for the vote in 2017. The methods proposed are TP, BP ; 20°C ; 4 – 7 days ; Prechill 3 Germination method for 2016 STA, BSC, The working group leader is Maggie Lin Carica papaya PUR (Taiwan).
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The germination method “S; 2030; 12 – 28 days; soak in water for 16 hours, soak in GA3 0.05% for 16 hours” was proposed for the vote in 2016 and was approved. It will come into the ISTA Rules in January 2017. 4 Brassica carinata: 2016 STA, BSC, The working group leader is Rita Zecchinelli. Introduction of a PUR germination method This study is completed and the validation report nearly completed. A rules proposal has been prepared for the vote in 2017. The methods proposed are : TP, BP ; 20, 20<=>30°C ; 4 – 7 days. 5 Diplotaxis tenuifolia. 2016 STA, BSC, The working group leader is Sarah Dammen. Introduction of PUR agermination method This study is cancelled. 6 Salvia hispanica. 2017 STA, BSC, The working group leader is Sarah Dammen. Introduction of PUR agermination method This study has not yet started. Participants are needed for the comparative test. 7 Juglans spp. 2016 FTS Andrea is going to contribute to this working Introduction of a group in connection with the FTS committee. germination method. This study is cancelled because, according with the test leader, it was decided to set up a tetrazolium test instead of germination. A3. Introduction of Rules Changes
remarks
Subject proposed collaboration update finalisation progress
1 AOSA / ISTA 2017 RUL Results obtained by AOSA laboratories were harmonisation: "leaf sent by David Johnston in June 2013 before extending less than the Congress in Antalya. halfway up into the coleoptile" During the side meeting, it was agreed not to conduct new study but try to use AOSA study to validate the change. The ISTA Statistics Committee has suggested that the validation report should be written according to the ISTA format of validation report including calculations about repeatability and reproducibility of the results. 2 Revised 5.6.3 2016 RUL Make it clear in the introduction of this part of Procedures for the ISTA Rules that all the procedures listed in promoting germination 5.6.3. can be used when dormancy is of dormant seed suspected, even if there is no recommendation indicated in column 6 of Table 5A. The proposal was accepted. 3 Revised 5.6.5.2, 5.8 and 2016 RUL Harmonize the sentences where reference is 5.9 regarding the made to reporting results in Chapter 5. At the reporting of multigerm moment, there are four different contradictory seeds recommendations: “5.6.5.2. Multigerm seed units” states to report the number out of 100; “5.8 Calculation and expression of results” states to report the percentage or number and “5.9 Reporting results” states to report the number. The proposal was accepted. 4 Revised 5.11 – 2016 RUL Re-introduction of tolerance tables for Tolerance tables comparing germination results on 400 seeds between laboratories. A reference is made to
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the ISTA Website for the other cases. The proposal was accepted. 5 Revision of specific 2017 RUL Specific seedling abnormalities have been abnormalities discussed (00/02 fractured; 00/07 spindly; 00/09 decayed; 00/11 unbalanced; 21/01 too short and thick) within the committee. Changes will be proposed in 2017: removal of 00/02 and 00/07; and 21/01 will move to short and/or thick.
B2. Training publications on specific seed testing topics
remarks
Publication title proposed collaboration update finalisation progress
1 Handbook on Seedling 2017 The working group is led by Ignacio Aranciaga Evaluation: Guidance on assessment of Glycine A guide was presented at the meeting in max Antalya in 2013. Questions have been sent to the members of the working group. The answers will be summarized and sent to the committee members for discussion. A meeting was organized during the ISTA meeting in Uruguay and the members of the GERCOM proposed decisions on seedling evaluation. Amendments have been prepared to be included in the new amendments of the Handbook for Seedling evaluation. A condensed guideline will be proposed for a inclusion in the ISTA Website and a rules proposal on root system evaluation is proposed for the vote in the Rules in 2017. 2 Assessment of fused To be Augusto Martinelli is going to work on seedlings and terminal reported to Helianthus annuus and select some pictures bud defect on sunflower the next to illustrate special cases of interest for HSE seedling evaluation (E.g. terminal bud and amendments surrounding tissue is intact or up to 50% not functioning normally to describe normal seedlings) 3 The hypocotyls is bent 2016 Augusto Martinelli over or forms a loop in seedling group A-2-1-2- The work is done and the proposal is added to 2 the various amendments to the ISTA Handbook for Seedling Evaluation. 4 Handbook on Seedling To be FTS A working group has been set up in the FTS Evaluation: reported to Committee. Improvement of tree and the next shrubs photos of HSE The work is in progress. seedlings amendments The proposal is also to include more pictures in the Tree and shrub ehandbook 5 Harmonisation of 2016 BSC Sylvie Ducournau sampling guidance for germination testing The work is done and the proposal is added to between the ISTA the various amendments to the ISTA Handbook for Sampling Handbook for Seedling Evaluation. and the ISTA Handbook for Seedling Evaluation
6 Handbook on Seedling 2015 FSC Sylvie / Rita Evaluation: seedling The work is done and the proposal is added to
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group change for Salvia the various amendments to the ISTA spp. and addition of Handbook for Seedling Evaluation. notes for seedling evaluation of Lupinus flower species
7 Extending the 2015 Augusto / Sylvie abnormalities of primary root to seminal roots: The work is done and the proposal is added to Addition of photos the various amendments to the ISTA illustrating the different Handbook for Seedling Evaluation. abnormalities of the seminal roots
8 New amendments for 2016 GER The objective is to gather all the above the ISTA Handbook for proposals for new amendments of the ISTA Seedling Evaluation Handbook. The proposals were reviewed by the committee members and the amendments were sent to ISTA Secretariat for publication.
C. WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS C1. Training and education workshops
remarks
workshop subject proposed collaboration update location finalisation progress
1 ISTA Workshop on 2016 ISTA A Germination Workshop was carried out in Germination Secretariat June 2016 in Estonia, prior the ISTA Congress. The lecturers were Christine Estonian Herzog, Sylvie Ducournau, Ronnie Don and Seed Testing Florina Palada. Laboratory 35 participants from 22 countries attended. The programme covered the principles of the germination test, seedling evaluation, results calculation and reporting, and quality management in germination testing. Practical sessions focused on grasses, clovers, protein species, sunflower, brassica, and carrot. 2 ISTA Workshop on 2016 ISTA A Germination Workshop was carried out in Sampling, Purity and Secretariat December 2016 in India, in combination with Germination sampling and purity. The lecturer was Sylvie Telangana Ducournau. state seed and organic 28 participants from 7 countries attended. certification authority The programme covered the principles of the germination test, seedling evaluation, results calculation and reporting, and quality management in germination testing. Practical sessions focused on Oryza sativa, Zea mays, Sorghum, Triticum, Helianthus annuus, Solanum, Capsicum, Gossypium, Glycine max, Vigna, Cajanus cajan and Cicer. 3 International Seminar on 2016 Korea Seed The main objectives and test conditions Seed Quality Assurance & Variety prescribed in ISTA Rules for germination in Germination Service testing were presented and explained, and a (KSVS) specific focus was made on species interesting Asian countries (agricultural and ISTA vegetable species). Additional presentations Secretariat were about the calculations and report of the results and about the main aspects of quality assurance related to germination testing. Two presentations were specifically dedicated to ISTA activities, including a presentation of
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ISTA and the ISTA accreditation programme and a presentation of the current and future activities of the ISTA Germination Committee. 113 persons attended the Seminar, 33 from KSVS, 37 from the Government office, 21 from Seed companies, 5 from University, 16 ASIDT trainees 16 and 1 from ISTA.
D. PROFICIENCY TESTS Proficiency test subject proposed collaboration update location finalisation progress
1 16-1 Helianthus annuus 2016 PTC Completed 2 16-2 Brachiaria 2016 PTC Completed brizantha 3 16-3 Allium cepa 2016 PTC In progress
F. SPECIAL PROJECTS project title / subject remarks
collaborating proposed collaboration update committees finalisation progress
1 Work with Advanced 2016 The work is carried out by the ATC in Technology Committee: conjunction with Harry Nijenstein from the O2 consumption GER Committee. measurements This item has been evaluated by the SSAG and the overall conclusions are the following: “On the basis of the evidence provided by those involved with the Q2, and the evidence available in the public domain, the claims made for use of the Q2 in seed testing to predict germination and vigour of commercial seed lots are not supported.” 2 E-learning documents 2016 The work was proposed by Christine Herzog. for germination training of seed analysts The first part of the work consists in collecting all the digital material concerning basic germination/seed knowledge (seed/plant physiology, botanical basics, nomenclature). The work is now cancelled as Christine leaves the Germination committee. 3 Extending the list of 2016 Many laboratories in some area cannot obtain sensitive species for the species mentioned in the ISTA handbook checking the innocuity of for checking the innocuity of substrate. germination media The GERCOM sent a questionnaire to ISTA laboratories to know about the availability of sensitive species currently listed in the Handbook and to know what other sensitive species could be included in the Handbook. A proposal of species already listed in AOSA Rules and Brazilian Rules was done (Allium cepa, Apium graveolens, Beta vulgaris, Brassica sp., Cichorium intybus, Lactuca sativa, Phaseolus vulgaris, , Pisum sativum, Sesamum indicum, Solanum lycopersicum, Sorghum bicolor, Trifolium sp., Triticum eastivum, Zea mays), to be included in the next amendments of the Handbook. 4 Storability of KNO3 and 2016 The question was raised by an ISTA GA3 solutions laboratory before an audit. Practices differ depending on laboratories regarding storage temperature, storage in
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darkness or light, and the storage duration of solutions The committee found difficult to start experiments to test the storability of the solutions and a proposal based on the AOSA proposal combined with committee members’ experience is ready to be included in the new amendments of the HSE: . “The KNO3 solution should be stored in closed containers and kept in dark, at room temperature and should be used within 3 months from preparation.” . “The GA3 solution should be stored in closed containers, kept in the dark, at a maximum of 5°C, and should be used within a week from preparation.”
5 Development of seed To be Presentation of the request of the Young Plant tests based on “usable decided by sector during the Side meeting of the seedlings” for Young ECOM GERCOM in Uruguay. Plant Production Sector Discussion between members of the committee about the objectives, the role of the germination committee and the work that could be done. The ISTA Vegetable Seed Working Group created in 2016 could include this topic in its programme. 6 Study of the evaluation 2017 Dutch seed companies have worked recently of the root system of to reduce the discrepancies existing between Spinach seedlings laboratories about germination results on spinach. It seemed that differences were due to root system evaluation. 3 successive ring tests have been organized involving 10 Dutch laboratories. Based on the results of these 3 ring tests, new criteria of root assessment could be proposed for this species. This new criteria could be introduced as a guidance in the Handbook. The work is now included in the programme of the GERCOM and is led by Lucile Daron from Enza Zaden. 3 successive comparative tests were organized with different ISTA laboratories. The objective is to produce the study report in 2017 and include the new criteria for root system evaluation in the HSE. 7 Study on germination 2015 Two ISTA laboratories (French and German) and tetrazolium results repeated the germination and viability tests on from different Danish the same seed samples already tested by four laboratories on rye seed different Danish laboratories. samples The results highlighted mainly differences in seed viability evaluation, probably due to seed cutting damages. 8 Study on germination 2017 Results obtained by the Swedish station, and results of Raphanus confirmed by a study done by Christine sativus seeds Herzog on the same samples, show that the depending on temperature 20 ° C seems to be less optimal temperature than 2030 ° C for Raphanus sativus. It has been proposed that the two laboratories from Sweden and Swiss start a peer validation study to compare the results obtained with the two temperature regimes for this species.
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9 Study on the 2017 The objective of the study is to reduce germination of differences in germination results for confection sunflower confection sunflower seed lots by testing the seeds influence of some germination conditions (substrate, duration, prechilling treatment). A comparative trial has been initiated in order to analyze the influence of some test conditions on germination results for some confection sunflower seed samples. ISTA and AOSA laboratories participate to this ring test. The objective is to have all the results to be discussed in the Ordinary meeting in Denver in 2017.
E. QUESTIONS TO THE COMMITTEE
subject of question from
Country
1 Germination results on January Germany Matricaria chamomilla. 2016 Test method and seedling evaluation 2 Request for a January Sweden germination method for 2016 Chenopodium quinoa 3 Comparison of TZ and January Denmark germination results on 2016 rye seeds 4 Verification of photos of January Ukraine soybean seedlings 2016 5 Quality of water used for January Italy pH measurement. 2016 Reference is made to the necessity of having a water with a conductivity less than 0.2 mS/m. 6 Interpretation of ISTA February South Africa Rules. Conditions for 2016 using dormancy breaking treatments on Sunflower seed lots. 7 Onion root seedling March 2016 France evaluation 8 Ending the germination March 2016 France, question from an audit test before the prescribed duration in ISTA Rules for Sorghum and Sunflower 9 Request for a list of April 2016 Mexico paper suppliers for germination tests 10 Clarification of the April 2016 Germany wording of 5.6.4 in case of a prolongation of the germination test for certain species 11 Germination substrates April 2016 Italy for the germination of coated seeds
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12 Modified hand halving April 2016 Unknown, question from an audit method for Lolium perenne used for counting replicates for germination 13 Differences in the June 2016 United States germination results on confectionary sunflower germination with both AOSA and ISTA labs in the US 14 Status of the June 2016 Taiwan germination method for Papaya seeds. 15 Need to improve the June 2016 Germany germination method of Rosmarinus officinalis 16 Root system evaluation June 2016 Austria of corn seedling. 17 Prewashing of pelleted July 2016 New Zealand seeds before germination Germination August 2016 Canada 18 procedure for Zizania palustris 19 Sensitive species August 2016 Indonesia available in Indonesia for germination media quality control 20 Germination test August 2016 The Netherlands Fragaria spp 21 Retesting for October Iran germination and use of 2016 tolerance tables 22 Origin of empty achenes October Italy of Cannabis sativa 2016 23 Germination method of October Turkey Chenopodium quinoa 2016 24 Suppliers for October Poland germination boxes 2016 25 Is primary root essential November Brazil for the evaluation of 2016 citrus seedlings?
New project New proposed finalisation date
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6. GMO Committee COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP LIST
Country Active since 1 CHAIR: Cheryl Dollard Canada 2007 2 VICE-CHAIR: René Mathis France 3 Christoph Haldemann Switzerland 4 Elizabeth Bates Belgium 5 Sofia Ben Tahar France 6 Tajinder Grewal Canada 7 Lutz Grohmann Germany 8 Andrea Jonitz Germany 9 Jean-Louis Laffont France 10 Enrico Noli Italy 11 Elena Perri Italy 12 Kirk Remund United States 13 Marco Mazzara Italy 2015 14 Ana Laura Vicario Argentina 2007 15 Bruno Zaccomer France 16 Dabing Zhang China 17 Ray Shillito United States 2013 A. RULES DEVELOPMENT - Update, December 2015
A3. Introduction of Rules Changes
Subject proposed collaboration finalisation 1 December 2013: (René Mathis, Lead) Typos corrected and submitted to 2013 Committee Steve Jones, November 2013; 2 December 2013: Question posed within group regarding section 19.6.2 2014 Committee and whether it requires clarification. 3 December 2014: No rules changes for this year 2015 Committee 4 December 2015: No rules changes for this year 2016 Committee 5 December 2016: No rules changes for this year 2017 Committee B. PUBLICATIONS
B1. Publications to accompany the Rules
Publication title proposed collaboration finalisation 1 GMO Testing Handbook: 2014-15 STA; ECOM December 2013: (E. Noli and R. Mathis WG Co-Leads) The handbook Rep; sections have been divided among the committee for faster progress. Secretariat See Section 1.8 in the attached table for description of the sections and subproject sections. A meeting was held in Toulouse in October 2013 Hosted by J.-L. Laffont/Pioneer (attendees: C. Haldeman, J-L. Laffont, E. Noli, E. Perry, B. Zaccomer) to work on developing a harmonized approach to evaluate/validate methods and to discuss the rating system for the PTs. A meeting was scheduled for other sub-project members early December for further discussions/writing, but had to be cancelled due to conflicting schedules for participants. Conference calls are
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planned in various chapters/sections for early 2014. 2 December 2014: During the year there were several informal discussions 2015 (16) STA; ECOM among members of the WG regarding several aspect of the work; on Rep; June 11th there was a preliminary meeting in Tavazzano between E. Secretariat Perri and E. Noli in which two discussion documents (on Method validation and Validation parameters) were prepared in view of the session to be held during the A.M. in Edinburgh. This took place along three days among the meetings of the other Committees with the participation of R. Mathis, E. Noli, E. Perri, C. Haldemann, L. Bates, J.L. Laffont, B. Zaccomer, K. Remund and C. Dollard (did I forget anybody???). There was a thorough discussion on the documents regarding the structure of the current accreditation system for GMO testing within ISTA and how it should be described in its detailed in the HB. The working documents were further modified following the discussion and an advanced version was circulated by R. Mathis at the end of the session. A meeting is planned in early 2015 for making further progress and possibly finalizing those documents which represent the very core issue of the HB.
3 December 2015: the structure of the document has been revised to 2016 STA; ECOM focus on the main objective of the handbook (which is to explain the Rep; technical process to get an accreditation on GMO testing). A big step Secretariat was taken at the occasion of the ISTA meeting at Montevideo has to explain the different requirements related to the methods used and also clarifying the status of the considered methods. In addition to the regular phone conference organised during the year, a face to face meeting of the working group was organised in November at the university of Bologna (Italy) to work on remaining questions and to continue the writing of all the sections of the handbook. Eight members of the working group were able to come (plus one connection to USA) for more than three full days of work (E. Noli, E. Perri, C. Haldemann, L. Bates, J.L. Laffont, B. Zaccomer, R. Shillito, C. Dollard and R. Mathis). The outcome of this meeting was a big progress in the document which confirmed the objective of having a draft ready by march 2016. 4 December 2016: (R. Mathis and E. Noli WG leads) 2017 STA, VAR, The document continues to be developed. Updated sections made to Audit team at Chapter 6 and in DNA extraction. Chapter 6 has been shared with Audit Secretariat group at Secretariat for comments. The group is planning the next working schedule and expected to deliver the first full draft in 2017
B2. Training publications on specific seed testing topics
Publication title proposed collaboration finalisation 1 GMO Testing Handbook: 2014-15 STA; ECOM December 2013: Please see point 1 under section B1 above Rep; Secretariat 2 December 2014: Please see point 2under section B1 above 2016 STA; ECOM Rep; Secretariat 3 December 2015: Please see point 3 under section B1 above 2016 STA; ECOM Rep; Secretariat 4 December 2016: Please see point 4 under section B1 above 2017 STA; ECOM Rep; Secretariat B3. Scientific information publications
Publication title proposed collaboration finalisation 1 Publish articles on activity of the committee for STI: (B. Zaccomer WG Ongoing Lead) December 2013: No change 2 December 2015: Have solicited articles for upcoming articles for STI, Ongoing report on Handbook Meeting from November 2015 in preparation
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3 December 2016: (B. Zaccomer WG Lead): No update Ongoing C. WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS
C1. Training and education workshops
workshop subject proposed collaboration Location finalisation 1 As Requested: Interest has been expressed in Russia, Africa Ongoing STA 2 December 2013: (C. Dollard WG Temp Lead) Possible collaborative Ongoing ILSI; STA workshop with ILSI in South America in spring 2014. 3 December 2014: (C.Dollard WG Temp Lead): Planning in progress for Ongoing STA;VAR Seminar to be held in conjunction with 2015 Annual Meeting in Uruguay December 2014: Meetings Attended: 2014 Secretariat, STA, 1 - ENGL 21st plenary meeting 4-5 June 2014, Barza, Italy – E.Noli on behalf of the ISTA Secretary General – this was an important opportunity to stay updated on the activities of this organization as well as to bring there the view of ISTA on GMO testing, and to promote future collaborations. Following this, Joachim Kreysa, chairman of the ENGL, participated to the ISTA A.M. In Edinburgh.
2 -AEIC Fall Meeting, 15-16 October, 2014 New Orleans, Louisana, US – C. Dollard on behalf of the ISTA Secretary General – ISTA was invited to present an overview of ISTA and the GMO PT program. Information was also provided on improvement to the evaluation system for ratings, and the new GMO Chapter and handbook in development, all which was very well received. Note - Tim Perez from STA also attended and presented background on the statistical aspects of the GMO PT program.
4 December 2015: Request for possible workshop in India in September 2016 STA;VAR 2016 under discussion
- 2nd International Workshop of GMO-analysis Network – JRC, 21-23 July, 2015, Varese Italy – Enrico Noli on behalf of the ISTA Secretary General – ISTA was invited to present its perspective on GMO testing in seeds. PT program. The workshop was intended by the JRC to establish international collaborations and capacity building in EU and Third Countries (Eastern Europe, South America, Africa and Asia). The meeting was very interesting and ISTA‘s participation was appreciated in the framework of this collaboration (workshop agenda and link to presentations http://gmo- crl.jrc.ec.europa.eu/capacitybuilding/docsworkshops/Agenda-Ispra-2015- 2nd-Workshop.html).
5 December 2016: (Temporary WG lead: C. Dollard) Workshop was 2017 STA discussed at ISTA annual meeting in Estonia (June 2016) with B. Zaccomer, JL Laffont, C. Dollard and local host – Kesuavulu Kunusoth. At that time, it was felt the proposed date was too early and was pushed to Spring 2016. Discussions to date included: raft workshop outline, announcement and number of participants. Still needing some specific information on location and available infrastructure to determine final numbers and program. Due to delays, schedule will have to be pushed back to later in 2017
Identification of lead: No lead for this WG has been identified/volunteered yet.
D. Proficiency Tests -
Proficiency Test Subject proposed collaboration finalisation
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1 PT21 – Corn: 2016 STA, December 2015: seeds are about to be delivered at sample preparing Secretariat lab. 2 December 2016: PT21 – Corn: 2017 STA, In progress, samples prepared and have been shipped to participants; Secretariat results are being received. Round to be finalised beginning of 2017. E. Questions to the Committee - Since date of last report
Question subject Date From (Country) 1 GMO Free Wheat 2013 Unknown (Via Secretariat) 2 Spiking levels in GMO PT 2013 Germany 3 Question about Rules section 19.6.2 2013 Switzerland 4 Question about availablity of PT for Trait Purity 2013 Argentina 5 Participation in the PT when can only test for 1 of 2 Events in the PT 2013 Unknown (Via Secretariat) 6 December 2014: 2014 Peru Question regarding specific testing methods for the GMO PT program Published methods for GMO testing 2014 Pakistan Advice on interpretation of checklist 2014 Secretariat Specific protocols for 35S/TNOS 2014 USA 7 December 2015: 2015 Canada Question regarding threshold levels for GMOs in Europe Question during audit regarding subsampling and disposal of material 2015 Unknown (via Auditor) Question on EU legislation on AP/LLP 2015 Germany Question regarding use of PCR for GMO detection 2015 Turkey 8 December 2016: 2016 Canada How to testing for GMO in canola oil Looking for source of reference material for GM alfalfa 2016 Germany How to set up new GMO testing lab 2016 Canada Use of CRM from AOCS 2016 Switzerland F. SPECIAL PROJECTS
project title / subject proposed collaboration collaborating committees finalisation 1 GMO Proficiency Test: Resource Procurement: Ongoing Secretariat December 2013: (Ray Shilito WG Lead): Contacts for supply of seed have been identified at the major technology providers; A one-time donation of $30,000 has been obtained from CropLife International to provide funding for proficiency tests; Arrangements being made to transfer funds to the Secretariat,
December 2014: A donation of $3000 has been obtained from CropLife Ongoing Secretariat International to provide funding for proficiency tests; Arrangements being made to transfer funds to the Secretariat ; PT21: Non-GM material is in process of being secured. December 2015: Contacts for procurement of seed have been identified Ongoing Secretariat from Monsanto, Bayer, Syngenta, Pioneer, and Dow. Monsanto is supplying material for PT21. Planning has started for PT22, 23. No financial support obtained in 2015
December 2016: (Ray Shilito WG Lead): -Materials for the 21st ISTA GMO Proficiency Test (Maize)were provided by Monsanto. -The next round is intended to be Canola. It is my understanding that Bayer and Monsanto will be providing seed for this round. Planning ahead, we asked Bayer and Monsanto to plan production of soy material
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for round 23. -The issue of funding remains critical. We did obtain a one-time injection of funds from CropLife but they have not found it feasible to continue this funding. Costs have been reduced by testing of the seed by donors, along with help from the statistics committee regarding confirmation testing. However we still need ideas as to how we raise funds to continue to offer this proficiency program, and/or donations!
2 GMO Proficiency Test: Administration and Sample Preparation: Ongoing External December 2015: revision of GMO PT Database to include new functions. expert Main change: automatic import of results (will be used first in PT21) Revision of registration and reporting forms.
December 2016: (N. Ettel WG Lead): General: Revision of GMO PT Database (automation) finalised. PT21 – Corn: In progress, samples prepared and have been shipped to participants; results are being received. Round to be finalised beginning of 2017. 3 ISTA GMO Website Ongoing Secretariat December 2013 Update: (E. Bates, WG Lead) Comments compiled, group is looking at the current website December 2014: Website reviewed at the 2014 annual meeting. A Ongoing Secretariat proposal for updating was made and accepted by the TCOM. Updates were made by Nadine Ettel. Currently collecting other updates, as suggested. December 2015: Website reviewed at the annual meeting, updates still Ongoing Secretariat under consideration. Discussion started with the ECOM on how to remove references to ‘specified trait’ and replace with ‘GMO’ where appropriate.
December 2016: E. Bates, WG Lead: No new update Ongoing Secretariat 4 ATC Contact: Ongoing Advanced December 2013: No Update; Status Quo Technology December 2014: No Update; Status Quo Com. December 2015: No Update; Status Quo December 2016: No Update; Status Quo
5 Statistical tools for GMO Testing: Ongoing STA December 2013: (J.-L. Laffont, WG Lead) Planning to review GMO PT Rating System; Provision of advice for Handbook Development December 2014: New approach for purity check of seed material for PT Ongoing STA program has been developed. Implemented for PT20. December 2015: Contribution to Handbook (see Handbook section) Ongoing STA
December 2016: (J.-L. Laffont, WG Lead): Contribution to Ongoing STA Handbook; also see STA report 6 December 2015: Ongoing New WG under consideration: Standardized Terms Working within committee to establish a WG to support accreditation and PT program through development of a list of standardized terms used in this discipline. December 2016: (Lead – being negotiated within group) Ongoing Audit Team at WG has developed a list of terms and is in process of populating it with ecretariat terminology.
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# Working Lead Members Work Description and Projects Groups
1.1 GMO ISTA Christoph Haldemann, Purpose: Execution of the GMO PT: Lead: Coordinate Proficiency TCORD- Jean-Louis Laffont and administration of the PT program from within the ISTA Test: Nadine Ettel Cheryl Dollard (Expert secretariat; Expert Team: Develop PT Plans, Evaluate Administration Team); Eurofin (Sample Results and Ratings, address technical questions, assist & Sample Prep) with administration of program as described in the SOP Preparation for administration of the GMO PT Program. Sample prep: Purity check of material and preparation of PT Samples as described in the GMO PT Program Sample Prep SOP. 1.2 GMO Ray Shilito Elizabeth Bates (Bayer), Purpose: Resource procurement in support of the GMO Proficiency Bruno Zaccomer PT Program: Lead: Solicits WG members to assist in Test: Resource (Monsanto), Sofia Ben securing reference materials (GM and non-GM) from Procurement Tahar (Limagrain), Industry and financial support for PT program from Benoit Maes (Bayer), Industry/corporate partners and identification of new Beth Rubin-Wilson WG members from other Industry areas: Syngenta, (Dow) Pioneer, etc. Secretariat contact: ISTA TCOM Coordinator (Nadine Ettel)
1.3 Workshops Cheryl Enrico Noli, Bruno Purpose: Delivery of training workshops in GMO Dollard Zaccomer, Dabing Testing: Lead: Liason between TCOM and training (Temporary) Zhang, Christoph requests; works with contact at ISTA Secretariat for Haldemann, Jean-Louis communications with workshop hosts to determine Laffont, Kirk Remund, capacity and content requirements; WG members: Dwarkesh Parihar Develop training materials for detection and identification of GM seed (AP and Trait purity); delivery of international training workshops. Secretariat contact for WS: ISTA TCOM Coordinator (Nadine Ettel) 1.4 ISTA GMO Elizabeth Tajinder Grewal, Purpose: To work to develop proposed content for the Website Bates Dabing Zhang, Ray GMO TCOM Webpage; Lead: Works with WG members Shilito, Lutz Grohmann, to review and provide updates to the ISTA Website Dwarkesh Parihar content associated with GMO TCOM activities and information. 1.5 ATC contact A.-L. Vicario N/A Purpose: Committee contact for the Advanced Technologies Committee 1.6 Statistical tools Jean-Louis Kirk Remund, Gabriel Purpose: Statistical support of the Committee for GMO Laffont Carré, Bruno Zaccomer, (Specialized): Lead: oversee delivery of projects/topic of Testing Christoph Haldemann interest: Detection of Stacked Genes, GMO PT Rating System Evaluation; Measurement Uncertainty, Other as required by the GMO TCOM and ISTA membership. WG members assist in delivery under the oversight of the Lead. 1.7 Publications Bruno Elizabeth Bates, Cheryl Purpose: Coordination of writing of technical Zaccomer Dollard, Beni Kaufman, publications; Lead: solicits articles focused on GMO Jean-Louis Laffont, testing in Seed for publication in journals and trade Enrico Noli, Kirk magazines and acts as contact for information on Remund, Christoph publication of such articles; WG members contribute to Haldemann the writing of ISTA originated articles; Current topics: Publication of the results of the ISTA GMO PT program (B. Zaccomer Lead); Articles for STI (Various Leads); Reports of the GMO PT Rounds (Various leads); Other 1.8 Rules- René Elizabeth Bates, Cheryl Purpose: To develop New Rules Chapter and Handbook Mathis, with Dollard, Kirk Remund, accompanying Technical Handbook for GMO Testing: E. Noli Bruno Zaccomer, Rules Lead: Coordinate activities related to proposed (Handbook) Christoph Haldemann, rules changes; Handbook Leads: Coordinate activities Jean-Louis Laffont; related to GMO Handbook completion. WG members: Elena Perri, Gabriel Complete writing of assigned sections, develop content Carré, Ana-Laura and edit material for publication. The Rules chapter was Vicario, Ray Shilito, completed in 2013 and has not required significant
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Daniel Perry, Benoit change since that time. The Handbook is nearly Maes complete and hoped to be finalized by 2017. New WG members with specific expertise are added to this group as the project evolves. New in 2016: An additional member of the VAR TCOM (Daniel Perry) has been invited to the group to enable a direct connection with DNA WG activities related to new DNA test methods for Variety Testing and plans for development of a supporting handbook. Both handbooks will share common themes with regard to DNA methods, and this connection will help support the VAR TCOM as they go through their handbook development process, while providing additional expertise towards the development of GMO. 1.9 Standardized TBD Andrea Jonitz, Lutz Purpose: To compile a standardized list of terms used in Terms (working Grohmann, Nadine GMO testing to support ISTA accreditation activities. title of group) Ettel, Benoit Maes, Ray Lead: coordinate compilation of lists of standard Shilito, Marco Mazzara language/terms. This list will encompass currently internationally accepted terms/nomenclature, and will act as a “translation” document to assist the ISTA Secretariat, Accreditation Department and Auditors when recording information related to GMO test methods on the Scope of Accreditation of labs accredited under ISTA for GMO Testing. It will also assist GMO testing labs select the correct terms to use in their documentation. Development of this list will help make data tracking more standard. WG members will contribute to the initial development of the list, and contribute to ongoing maintenance, as required. It is anticipated that once the initial list is established, the ongoing maintenance required will be minimal.
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7. MOI Seed Moisture Committee
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP LIST change comments
1 CHAIR: Jette Nydam Sweden 2 VICE-CHAIR: Laura Bowden United Kingdom 3 Gerarda de Boer Netherlands 4 Olfat El Bagoury Egypt 5 Robert Karrfalt United States 6 Sergio Pasquini Italy 7 Axel Goeritz Germany 8 Susan Alvarez United States 9 Baymolo Goma Zambia 10 Wen-Ju Yang Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan 11 Celine Herbert France 12 13 14 15
A. RULES DEVELOPMENT A1. Introduction of New Methods
remarks
Method name proposed collaboration update subject finalisation progress
1 Use of equilibrium Relative Humidity 2018 FTS, STA The work is in progress, and we plan (eRH) as an alternative for the to present the results of initial determination of seed moisture status comparative testing at the 2017 Annual Meeting.
A2. Introduction of New Species
remarks
Species and test proposed collaboration update finalisation progress
1 Solanum nigrum 2017 STA Data still being analysed with a Rules proposal to be submitted in November 2017 if supported by the data 2 xFestulolium 2017 STA Validation testing finalized, data evaluation to be repeated and a Rules proposal submitted in November 2017. Validation report in preparation. 4 Carica papaya 2017 Working group leader nominated, test plan validated, tests to begin 2017. The work is in progress. A3. Introduction of Rules Changes
remarks
Subject proposed collaboration update finalisation progress
1 Checking the need for grinding of 2017 STA Validation testing yet to begin, is Gleditsia triacanthos, Albizia julibrissin, waiting to take comments from to the Medicago XFestulolium report into sativa, Lotus consideration. pedunculatus, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium
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pratense, Trifolium repens, Vigna radiate 2 Requirement to the ground material for 2019 Working group leader nominated. coarse grinding Different mills checked, data being analysed. The results of the data will be used for how to continue.
B. PUBLICATIONS B1. Publications to accompany the Rules
remarks
Publication title proposed collaboration update finalisation progress
1 Review and update Handbook on 2019 Secretariat Working group leader nominated. Moisture Determination The work to begin. B3. Scientific information publications
remarks
Publication title proposed collaboration update finalisation progress
1 Excel tool for calculation of moisture test 2016 Working group leader nominated.No results progress.
C. WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS C1. Training and education workshops
remarks
workshop subject proposed collaboration update location finalisation progress
1 Calibration of moisture meters 2017 Working group leader nominated, but the place for hosting the workshop still to be found.
D. PROFICIENCY TESTS Proficiency test subject proposed collaboration update location finalisation progress
1
E. QUESTIONS TO THE COMMITTEE subject of question Month from
country
1 Can rice be used to check the capacity of February ISTA Accreditation department the oven
2 Not clear in the rules when to use 30 April Denmark seconds and when 2 minutes 3 Validation of existing methods for April US moisture determination 4 Use of micro wave oven for moisture July Brasil determination
5 Check of temperature in the ground July ISTA Accreditation department material
6 Tolerance between two tests July US
7 Should the instrument for temperature April ISTA Accreditation department measurement of the oven be able to measure 0.5 °C instead of 1 °C?
8 How to check the capacity of the oven? August Mexico
9 Quality assurance for NIR (moisture November Austria
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meters) 10 Can the 17hours drying period be December ISTA Accreditation department interrupted? 11 Drying period for Brachiaria? December ISTA Accreditation department
12 13 14 15 16 17
New project New proposed finalisation date
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8. NOM Nomenclature Committee
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP LIST change comments
1 CHAIR: John Wiersema United States 2 VICE-CHAIR: Ernest Allen United States Assumed Vice-Chair in June 2016 3 Susan Alvarez United States Added to NOM in June 2016 4 Bernard Baum Canada 5 Michel Chauvet France 6 Axel Diederichsen Canada 7 Kees van Ettekoven Netherlands 9 Karl Hammer Germany 10 Wilbert Hetterscheid Netherlands 11 Klaus Pistrick Germany 12 Tamara Smekalova Russia Added to NOM in June 2016 Michel Porcher Australia Removed from NOM in June 2016 due to inactivity Doris Groth Brazil Removed from NOM in June 2016 due to inactivity Phyllis Himmel United States Resigned from NOM in March 2016 After losing two members and adding two during 2016, there remain 3 vacancies on the Committee. A new Vice-Chair was approved, as no communications were received from the previous Vice-Chair since 2013. The leadership of this Committee will likely be impacted by the retirement of the Chair before the conclusion of the next ISTA triennium.
F. SPECIAL PROJECTS project title / subject remarks collaborating proposed collaboration update committees
finalisation progress
1 ISTA List of Stabilized Dec 2013 Jonathan The final downloadable web version was completed in February Plant Names, ed. 6 Taylor, ISTA 2014 and is now on the ISTA website. Publications
2 ISTA List of Stabilized Dec 2019 Rules; Action on the next edition will need to begin in early 2018 to Plant Names, ed. 7 Jonathan allow for publication in late 2019. Taylor, ISTA Publications
E. QUESTIONS TO THE COMMITTEE subject of question date from country
1 On relationship October Argentina between names in ISTA Stabilized List and ISTA Rules 2 On spelling of name July New Zealand Chenopodium album
3 On GRIN linkage to March Norway ISTA Stabilized List names 4 On ISTA February European Seed Association nomenclature for some Festuca and
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Lolium names
5 On web access to February Germany GRIN nomenclature
New project New proposed finalisation date
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9. PUR Purity Committee
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP LIST change comments
1 CHAIR: Gerarda de Boer - Raatgever Netherlands 2 VICE-CHAIR: Ruojing Wang Canada 3 Myriam Alvisi Brazil 4 Karima Boudehri-Giresse France 5 Maria Duter New Zealand 6 Charan Jeet Mehta India 7 Andrea Jonitz Germany 8 Selma Kurt Turkey 9 Carrie Lewis United States 10 Augusto Martinelli Argentina 11 Deborah Meyer United States 12 Kepha Oganda Kenya 13 Dot Vittrup Pedersen Denmark 14 Zita Ripka Hungary
A. RULES DEVELOPMENT A1. Introduction of New Methods
remarks
Method name proposed collaboration update subject finalisation progress
A2. Introduction of New Species
remarks
Species and test proposed collaboration update finalisation progress
1 Cleome gynandra Carry GER MOI Purity committee have confirmed PSD should forward to be PSD10, non-chaffy. 2016-2019 Purity committee needs seed or data to confirm the 1000 seed weight and establish the working sample weights. Nomenclature needs to be confirmed. GRIN, Cleome gynandra L. is a synonym for Gynandropsis gynandra (L.) Briq. (Cleomaceae); therefore, rather than appearing in Table 3B under Cleome (PSD 10) a new table entry will need to be made. No further progress, waiting for work on this species with other committees to begin. 2 Bupleurum rotundifolium Carry GER MOI Purity committee have confirmed PSD should forward to be PSD15 non-chaffy. 2016-2019 Purity committee needs seed or data to confirm the 1000 seed weight and establish the working sample weights. Purity committee needs either the data to be able to validate the working sample weights. No further progress waiting for work on this species with other committees to begin. 3 Passiflora edulis Carry GER MOI Purity committee have confirmed PSD should forward to be PSD10 non-chaffy. Table 3B entries will 2016-2019 need to be made for Passiflora edulis Sims (Passifloraceae)
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Purity committee needs seed or data to confirm the 1000 seed weight and establish the working sample weights. No further progress, waiting for work on this species with other committees to begin. 4 Salvia hispanica Rules GER, BSC The data from the GER validation study is used proposal to establish the working sample weight and 2017 there is already a PSD available for this specie (PSD 18) The Purity proposals are completed and are submitted as a rules proposal for 2017 5 Chenopodium quinoa Rules GER, BSC Two sets of data have been validated & proposal WG Leader: finalised. Working sample weights = 10g purity 2017 Augusto Martinelli and 100g other seed determination. The PSD proposed is PSD 2 & Non-chaffy. The Purity proposals are completed and are submitted as a rules proposal for 2017. 6 Brassica carinata Rules GER,BSC Data has been collected in cooperation with the proposal GER validation study 2017 The Purity proposals are completed and are submitted as a rules proposal for 2017. A3. Introduction of Rules Changes
remarks
Subject proposed collaboration update finalisation progress
1 Chapter 10 rewording of the Not In collaboration with a working group in whole chapter in regards to completed Germany a major re-wording of Chapter 10 was the reporting of decimal Carry prepared, approved by the Purity committee places and clarification that forward to and proposed for voting in June 2014 but 10.5.3 applies to all chaffy 2016-19 following discussion with the proposers the seeds and the procedure for proposal was withdrawn. weighing replicates A new proposal was made for 2015 but was also withdrawn as agreement could not be reached about the intention of the wording of the new proposal.
There are currently no proposals being put forward for 2017
2 Review proposal for adding Carry WG: blower & Suggestions for this to be reviewed by the new varieties of Poa forward to other interested same working group as the Blower WG. pratensis with 1000 seed 2016-19 persons Suggestions for an approved list to sit outside weight <0.35 g to the list in the rules on ISTA website so that if purity the ISTA rules. committee have validated the data new a variety could be added. At Purity committee meeting in 2015, several issues raised • how to deal with varieties on the list that are no longer in production • new small seeded varieties have different cleaning procedures that give higher germination compared to blowing at the lower settings • suggestion for labs to check TSW of each variety before testing but this not thought to be very practicable Is currently under review at the DLF laboratory in Denmark, but not ready for a rules proposal
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in 2017 3 Reporting of unidentified Rules Laboratories all over the world struggle to seeds on ISTA certificates, proposal identify seeds to the level of specie and Genus. at the moment only possible 2017 There are options available for identifying to report to Genus level unknown seeds with the aid of the purity according the rules committee, but even than it is sometimes not possible to get the seeds identified. Therefor the committee would like to make it possible in the rules to identify to family name 4 Addition of Striga to the 2017-2019 This needs to be validated if the method methid for Orobanche currently in the rules for Orobanche testing is also applicable for the testing of Striga 5 Revision of chapter 14: The 2017-2019 Need for a working There are other apparatus available at the X-ray test, possibe to use group leader moment that could replace X-ray or ad other other machines to do this features to the tests test 6 Revision of chapter 11 on 2017-2019 Coated seeds: Look at new ways to do the verification of species, on how to remove coating 7 Revise working sample Rules This is also a AOSA rules proposal and weight for Beta vulgaris proposal developed by US laboratories. By taking this up (monogerm sugar beets) 2017 also in the ISTA rules we harmonise between the 2 rules 8 Revise rule 3.5.2.7 2017-2019 PC will start a inquiry among members and impurities with undue other laboratories about the use of this rule effect on result 9 Coriandrum sativum, 2017-2019 The current working sample weight seems to be query TSW and working too large for the specie sample weights 200 gr for OSD instead of 400
B. PUBLICATIONS B1. Publications to accompany the Rules
remarks
Publication title proposed collaboration update finalisation progress
1 PSD Handbook 2017-2019 New WG Leader The hand book has been reviewed in 2014 by a needed purity committee member and a list of amendments is available. Implementation to be discussed further within the purity committee and ISTA secretariat. 2 “Detection of Orobanche Rules for WG leader: Jane Rules proposal for Methods of Orobanche spp. Seeds” 2008 testing Taylor; testing adopted at 2011 Annual Meeting completed Collaborators: effective from 1 January 2012. 2012. Steve Jones, Adriel Garay, Ruojing Waiting for feedback from Bulking and New rule Wang Sampling committee about the sampling amendment methodology for the submitted sample for for Striga in Orobanche testing so that the result can be 2017-2019 reported on an OIC. Suggestion from Purity committee that that we might consider adding Striga to the same testing method for Orobanche, to be discussed further in 2016-2019. 3 Handbook on Purity Carry No progress item was discussed at the Purity forward to committee meeting June 2012 and June 2013. 2016-19 The Purity Handbook and format was discussed but no format or list of topics was agreed, one
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suggestion was that in the interim we could develop the use of the Purity area on the ISTA website with explanations on ‘How to do it’ topics? No further progress 4 The Universal List of Updated list WG leader: Zita The complete Universal list will be uploaded in Species completed Ripka; 2016 and will be available on the new ISTA in 2016 Collaborators: website. Debbie Meyer, Andrea Jonitz, Kepha Oganda, Pernilla Andersson and Ruojing Wang 5 Update the guidance paper 2017 on “Guidelines for blower calibration and use of the uniform blowing procedure for Poa pratensis and dactylis glomerata” to include the use of the anemometer to measure the Equivalent Air Velocity (EAV) as a reading of the uniform blowing point B2. Training publications on specific seed testing topics
remarks
Publication title proposed collaboration update finalisation progress
1 Identification of species of 2013-2016 WG leader: Zita The working group have made good progress in the Universal List (UL) Ripka; preparation of images to a standardized layout Collaborators: suitable for ISTA website publication. Ruojing Wang, K. Boudehri, D. No further progress on regional lists for species Meyer, in the UL. The working group have made good progress in finalising the digital images and text and just over half have already been uploaded and can be accessed via links within the Universal List document on the ISTA website. The remaining images and text are being finalised and will be sent to ISTA when completed. Working towards completion in 2016. 2 Handbook on tropical Carry Proposed WG Work in progress between Myriam Alvisi and species: seed identification forward to leader: Myriam Professor Dr. Angela Tillman in Brazil. Some and seed Technology 2016-19 Alvisi; image examples have been presented at ISTA Collaborators: meetings. Kepha Oganda, Augusto Martinelli, The seed descriptions and pictures are more members available for upload on the new ISTA website needed B3. Scientific information publications
remarks
Publication title proposed collaboration update finalisation progress
C. WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS C1. Training and education workshops
remarks
workshop subject proposed collaboration update location finalisation progress
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1 Joint workshop on Purity, Completed 5 day workshop in Hyderabad India.2 days Sampling and Germination in December sampling, 1½ day of purity and 1½ day of Hyderabad, India 2016 germination
2 1 Enquiry for workshop 2019 In Hyderabad, India received
D. PROFICIENCY TESTS Proficiency test subject proposed collaboration update location finalisation progress
1 Refer to ISTA PT PT tests as stated by ISTA PT Programme Programme Plan 2017-2019 plan for 2017-2019, none are directly organised by the Purity committee. Purity committee members are involved with requests for seed supply. 2 The purity committee is 2017 PTC The PTC is no longer capable of organising asked to organise the this special test within the PT rounds and mixture sample for PT tests since this is a Seed ID training the purity committee is asked to take up this task
F. SPECIAL PROJECTS Project title /subject remarks collaborating committees proposed collaboration update finalisation progress
Develop statistical toolkits for purity calculation and 2017-2019 STAT rounding Collaboration with AOSA on project how to determine 2017-2019 AOSA “caryopsis containing any endosperm” Look into other ways of training people in doing seed identification and practical 2017-2019 work (eg web-seminars, instruction video, seed id websites) Publish FAQ on web-site for people/members to look into 2017-2019 to learn from each other New Technologies in purity 2017-2019 ATC: Karima Together with ATC and other interested testing Boudehri-Giresse persons we will look into the possibilities of new equipment being implemented in seed testing. There should be some protocol drawn up on how to validate these machines into routine seed testing
E. QUESTIONS TO THE COMMITTEE
subject of question from
date country
1 How to check blower calibration samples April 2016 Switzerland 2 Which tolerance table should be applied when dealing with weight April 2016 USA determination 3 How to identify inert matter when you have rodent or insect faeces April 2016 USA 4 How to deal with identification of coated / encrusted seeds April 2016 Argentina 5 Performing purity test on Physalis samples April 2016 Japan 6 How to report OSD test when performing a limited test on a bigger Mei 2016 Egypt sample weight
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7 Systematic grouping of the Plant Kingdom July 2016 Sweden 8 The use of Seed Blowers on Brachiaria species July 2016 Switzerland 9 Reporting amount of decimal places July 2016 Switzerland 10 How and where to order General Seed Blower July 2016 Finland 11 Analyses of Salvia hispanica July 2016 Mexico 12 Analysis of coated seeds August 2016 Switzerland 13 Sample weights for OSD of Tomato and Cucumber in relation to August 2016 Netherlands Peper, Pumpkin and Squash 9all fruited crops) 14 Difference between using whole working sample and two half September France working samples for purity 2016 15 Identifying Red rice in White rice September Indonesia 2016 16 Reporting of Brassica spp on IOC September Netherlands 2016 17 Verification of species for coated seeds November Switzerland 2016 18 Anemometer for check of blower seems to be less accurate than November Denmark calibration samples for blowing 2016 19 Can purity committee provide samples with Orobanche for validation December Italy study 2016 New project New proposed finalisation date
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10. SHC Seed Health Committee
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP LIST change comments 1 CHAIR: Valerie Grimault France Chair
2 VICE-CHAIR: Terry Aveling South Africa Vice chair 3 Ilaria Alberti Italy 4 Siham Asaad Syria 5 Rouke Bakker New Zealand 6 Harrie Koenraadt Netherlands 7 Ronit Kohen Israel Will retire 2016/2017 8 Gary Munkvold Unites States 9 Masatoshi Sato Japan Karin Sperlingsson Sweden retired 10 Sandra Walker United States 11 Dorota Szopinska Poland 12 Mark Buimer Netherlands 13 Reyes Blanco Spain Will resign mid 2017 14 Nelia Nkhoma Phiri Zambia Since June 2016 15 Rosa Piña González Chile Since June 2016
A. RULES DEVELOPMENT A1. Introduction of New Methods
remarks Method name proposed collaboration update subject finalisation progress 1 SHC 35: Detection of Botrytis allii in onion 2013-2016 ISHI CT performed, analysis of seeds lots- new method SHC.35 results under progress 2 Fusarium graminearum, F. langsethiae, F. 2013-2016 Nibio Norway Test plan under preparation culmorum and F.poae – new method 3 Fusarium oxysporum on tomato – new 2013-2016 . Test plan accepted, need to find method another organizer and add a pathogenicity test confirmation
4 SHC.64: Detection of X. oryzae pathovars 2013-2016 IIRI CT performed, under review. on rice seeds 5 SHC XX: Detection of Ditylenchus on alfalfa 2013-2016 Submitted to rules proposals for and faba bean seeds June 2017 6 Ascochyta rabei/ chickpea 2013-2016 Test plan reviewed, under revision 7 Nematodes on onion seeds - Project, Naktuinbouw contacted to share information/participate to a validation. Answer expected. 8 Fusarium spp./Zea mays - project 9 Living Neotyphodium, grass seed - project 10 Xcc dPCR BIO PCR 2014-2016 ISHI CT performed, analysis of results under progress 11 P pisi PCR to replace pathogenicity test 2014-2016 ISHI Test plan accepted, CT to organize 12 Verticillium/spinach 2014-2016 ISHI Submitted to rules proposals for June 2017 13 Acidovorax citrulii/melon 2014-2016 ISHI Test plan accepted, CT under progress
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A3. Introduction of Rules Changes
remarks Proposed Subject collaboration Update progress finalisation Phoma lingam 7-004 –removal of 2,4D 2013-2016 ISHI Submitted to rules proposals for 1 June 2017 2 Pea, Pisum sativum 7-005, add pathogens 2013-2016? ISHI test plan accepted, new CT to run, no contaminated seeds available 3 SHC XX: U.nuda/Hordeum vulgare, staining 2016-2019 SASA Ct performed in parallel to PT organized by SASA, analysis of results under progress 4 Five year Method reviews 2013-2016 Questionnaire 2016 sent, analysis expected 5 Ascochyta pea comparing NUV/dark 2016-2019 Infected seeds to be found B2. Training publications on specific seed testing topics remarks
Publication title proposed collaboration update Seed Health Handbook 2013-2019 12 chapters under review C. WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS C1. Training and education workshops remarks
Workshop subject proposed collaboration update location finalisation progress 1 Seed Health Workshop Netherland 2016 Workshop done, 20 participants Molecular detection 2 Seed Health Workshop Spain, How to 2017 Second announcement validate a method and check the circulated, registrations under progress performance of quality system in Seed Health testing 3 Seed Health Workshop France, Fungi 2017 Organization under progress. Linum, Sunflower, Soybean Announcement to be made C2. Seminars remarks
Seminar subject proposed collaboration update location finalisation progress Seed Health seminar, Poland 2018 Polish First announcement planned Phytopathological January 2017 Society (PPS) 1 and the Poznań University of Life Sciences (PULS)
D. PROFICIENCY TESTS Proficiency test subject proposed collaboration update location finalisation progress 7-013 Ustilago nuda/Hordeum vulgare 2014 SASA analysis performed and sent to 1 participants 3 7-026 Cucurbits viruses 2014-2016 Naktuinbouw PT performed, analysis of results under progress. Delayed. 4 7-021 Xanthomonas/bean 2014-2016 GEVES Planned 2017. Seed lots obtained. 7-023 Pseudomonas/bean
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5 7-025 Aphelenchoides besseyi/ rice 2016-2017 ANSES, Seed lots selected, collaboration Indonesian ISTA established. The seed company lab to which the lots belonged did not want to make them available GEVES because the name of the variety had to be indicated on the export documents. New seed lots to be found. 6 7-007 Three pathogens Linum 2016-2017 GEVES Planned 2017. Seed lots identified F. SPECIAL PROJECTS Project title / subject remarks
collaborating committees proposed collaboration update
finalisation progress
Translation of rules into Spanish 2016 Rosa Pina, Chile Rules translated
Annotated List crop updates 2013-2016 TESTA (European 7th KBBE) project finished. Lists need to be cleaned, seed as a pathway need to be checked based on scientific analysis of literature obtained and expert advice. SHC worked on a proposal to send to ECOM for funding.
New project New proposed finalisation date
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11.STA Statistics Committee
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP LIST change comments
1 CHAIR: Jean-Louis Laffont France 2 VICE-CHAIR: Kirk Remund United States 3 Gabriel Carré France 4 Olfat El Bagoury Egypt 5 Mustapha El Yakhlifi France 6 Mohamed Hanafi France 7 Bonnie Hong United States 8 Winfried Jackisch Germany 9 Zivan Karaman France 10 Bo-Jein Kuo Separare Custom Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu 11 Ray Shillito United States
A. RULES DEVELOPMENT A1. Introduction of New Methods
remarks
Method name proposed collaboration update
subject finalisation progress
1 Statistical reviews of Test Plans and On-going Any TCOM A total (introduction of new methods and Validation Reports introduction of new species) of 3 Test Plans and 9 Validation Reports reviewed. 2 Contribution to the analysis of some On-going Any TCOM 3 Validation studies analyzed. Validation Studies A2. Introduction of New Species remarks
Species and test proposed collaboration update
finalisation progress
1 Statistical reviews of Test Plans and On-going Any TCOM A total (introduction of new methods and Validation Reports introduction of new species) of 3 Test Plans and 9 Validation Reports reviewed. 2 Contribution to the analysis of some On-going Any TCOM 3 Validation studies analyzed. Validation Studies
B. PUBLICATIONS B1. Publications to accompany the Rules remarks
Publication title proposed collaboration update
finalisation progress
1 Seedcalc 2017 GMO Migration to Excel 2007: some code optimized; still some graphical output to be fixed. 2 Posterior Predictive spreadsheet 2017 GMO This spreadsheet computes the probability to find less than a given percentage of GM seeds in a subsequent sample for large seed lots or in the remaining seeds in small seed lots, given the number of GM seeds found in the 1st
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sample. The computation is based on Bayesian statistics. Still work needed to implement a macro for finding the minimum sample size given the level of confidence and the specification. 3 GMO Testing Handbook 2017 GMO Reviewed JRC Technical Temporary Report: European Network of GMO Laboratories - Working Group “Seed Testing” (WG-ST) – 2015. Developed prototype to determine the maximum sample size of the pools based on this document. 4 Subsampling theorem 2016 Theorem: If the distribution of the number of successes in a primary sample of size N is Binomial(N, π), then the distribution of the number of successes in a subsample (from the primary sample) of size n (n < N) is also Binomial(n, π). Proof available upon request. 5 Analysis of Comparative Tests for 2016 Developed recommendations for the evaluating the performance of analysis based on measures of microsatellite markers for variety agreement (Cohen’s kappa and Fleiss’ identification kappa). C. WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS C1. Training and education workshops Remarks
Seminar subject proposed collaboration Update
location finalisation Progress
1 Training of TCOM representatives in 2016 ISTA 2 lecturers from the Statistics Committee Statistics for the analysis of Method Secretariat, all and 20 participants. Validation Studies TCOMs October 25-27, 2016 – Zurich, Switzerland
F. SPECIAL PROJECTS project title / subject Remarks
collaborating committees proposed collaboration Update
finalisation Progress
1 GMO Proficiency Tests On-going GMO PT 21 plan review. 2 Statistical reviews for Seed Science and 2016 SST 2 reviews performed. Technology journal 3 PT Rating computations 2017 PT, ISTA Started to review PT rating computations. Secretariat
E. QUESTIONS TO THE COMMITTEE
subject of question Date From
1 Tolerances for moisture February Netherlands 2 Experiment design for validation study February United States 3 Small seed lot sampling March France 4 Analysis of Germination Method March France Validation studies 5 Evaluation of germination referee tests April Germany 6 GMO testing August Argentina
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7 Subsampling November United Kingdom
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12. STO Storage Committee COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP LIST Country Active since 1 Chair: Hugh W. Pritchard UK 2 Vice-Chair: David Mycock RSA 3 Sarah Ashmore Australia New 2016 4 Joseph Asomaning Ghana 5 Andreas Börner Germany 6 Rekha Chaudhury India 7 Isolde Ferraz Brazil 8 Elena Gonzalez-Benito Spain 9 Steven Groot Netherlands New 2016 10 Frank Lanfermeijer Netherlands New 2016 11 Isaura Martin Spain 12 Moctar Sacandé Italy 13 Sershen RSA 14 Christina Walters USA New 2016 15 Xiang-Yun Yang China Co- Ellie Merrett Wade (seed storage guidelines) UK New 2016 opt A. RULES DEVELOPMENT A1. Introduction of New Methods Method name proposed collaboration subject finalisation 1 2 A2. Introduction of New Species Species and test proposed collaboration finalisation 1 2 A3. Introduction of Rules Changes Subject proposed collaboration finalisation 1 2
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B. PUBLICATIONS B1. Publications to accompany the Rules
Publication title proposed collaboration finalisation Handbook on Seed Storage (will include Appendix on seed storage of Rules 1 2019 species) Half-year to Dec 2016: Ellie Wade is now helping the Chairman with the
development of content for this volume. 2 B2. Training publications on specific seed testing topics
Publication title proposed collaboration finalisation NB The Handbook aims to be a valuable training publication with case studies, 1 etc 2 B3. Scientific information publications
Publication title proposed collaboration finalisation 30 scientific publications (book chapters and journal articles, including in SS&T) 1 on seed storage. Half-year to Dec 2016: Calvi GP, Aud FF, Ferraz IDK, Pritchard HW, Kranner I. (2016) Analyses of several seed viability markers in individual recalcitrant seeds of Eugenia stipitata McVaugh with totipotent germination. Plant Biology (DOI: 10.1111/plb.12466, online 9 May 2016). Chaudhury R, Malik SK (2016) Expanding applications of cryobanking: meeting challenges for effective long-term storage. Indian Journal of Plant Genetic Resources 29, 303-306. De Ron, A. M., Rodiño, A. P., Santalla, M., González, A. M., Lema, M. J., Martín, I., & Kigel, J. (2016). Seedling emergence and phenotypic response of common bean germplasm to different temperatures under controlled conditions and in open field. Frontiers in Plant Science, 7, 1087 On target (http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpls.2016.01087/full) Gondwe, D.S.B., Berjak, P., Pammenter, N.W., Sershen, Varghese, B. (2016) Effect of priming with cathodic water and subsequent storage on invigoration of Pisum sativum, Cucurbita maxima and Lycopersicon esculentum seeds. Seed Science and Technology, 44, 370-381. Han E-J, Popova E, Cho G-T, Park S-U, Lee S-C, Pritchard HW, Kim H-H. (2016). Post-harvest embryo development in ginseng seed increases desiccation sensitivity and narrows the hydration window for cryopreservation. CryoLetters 37, 284-294. Moothoo-Padayachie, A., Varghese, B., Pammenter, N.W., Govender, P., Sershen. (2016) Germination associated ROS production and glutathione redox capacity in two recalcitrant-seeded species differing in seed longevity. Botany,
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94, 1103-1114. Pritchard HW (2016). Priority science for the preservation of priority crops. Indian Journal of Plant Genetic Resources 29, 292-297. DOI 10.5958/0976- 1926.2016.00049.8 Rodrıguez-Arevalo I, Mattana E, Garcıa L, Liu U, Lira R, Davila P, Hudson A, Pritchard HW, Ulian T (2016). Conserving seeds of useful wild plants in Mexico: main issues and recommendations. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution doi:10.1007/s10722-016-0427-7
Sershen, Varghese, B., Naidoo, C., Pammenter, N.W. (2016) The use of plant stress biomarkers in assessing the effects of desiccation in zygotic embryos from recalcitrant seeds: challenges and considerations. Plant Biology, 18, 433- 444. Wade EM, Nadarajan J, Yang X-Y, Ballesteros D, Sun W-B, Pritchard HW (2016). Plant species with extremely small populations (PSESP) in China: a seed and spore biology perspective. Plant Diversity http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pld.2016.09.002 (online 28 September 2016).
C. WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS C1. Training and education workshops
workshop subject proposed collaboration location finalisation 1 2 C2. Seminars
Seminar subject and location proposed collaboration finalisation First International Agrobiodiversity Congress will be held in November 2016 in 1 Delhi, India. STO members Chaudhury and Pritchard will promote ISTA at this 2016 congress. Half-year to Dec 2016: 500 delegates attended the First IAC, in New Delhi from 6-9 November 2016. The Congress was opened by Prime Minister Modi, resulting in high press coverage. There were two sessions on germplasm storage (‘Genebanking’ and on ‘In vitro, DNA and Cryobanking’). Chaudhury and Completed Pritchard were invited speakers and addressed the topics of ‘Cryobanking’ and ‘Priority Science for the Preservation of Priority Crops,’ respectively.
International Botanic Congress (IBC) 2017 will be held in Shenzhen, China in July 2017. A session on seed storage (Hot Forests and Cold Storage) is co- 2 organised by Christina Walters and Hugh W. Pritchard and STO member 2017 Sershen is an invited speaker. All involved will promote STO-ISTA at this meeting. Half-year to Dec 2016: Registration for the congress is in early 2017
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Seed Working Group of the German Society for Plant Breeding and the German Society for Plant Cultivation Research will hold the biennial conference in April 3 2018 2018 at the IPK in Gatersleben. Organiser and promoter of ISTA at this congress is Prof Andreas Börner.
Society for Cryobiology congress will be held in Madrid in 2018 and there will be 4 2018 a session on seed storage. Pritchard will promote ISTA at this meeting. D. Proficiency Tests Proficiency Test Subject proposed collaboration finalisation
1
F. SPECIAL PROJECTS project title / subject proposed collaboration collaborating committees finalisation 1 Characterisation of seed storage biology for 100 'new' species: 2019 Half-year to Dec 2016 (Pritchard, with T Ulian and E Matana of Kew): 96 species known to survive drying for the banking process from a study of useful wild plants of Mexico undertaken by UNAM and RBG Kew (see Rodrıguez- Arevalo et al., 2016):
Family Species Acanthaceae Gypsacanthus nelsonii E.J. Lott, V. Jaram. et Rzed.
Achatocarpaceae Phaulothamnus spinescens A. Gray
Amaranthaceae Chenopodium murale L. Amaranthaceae Gomphrena serrata L.
Amaranthaceae Iresine discolor Greenm.
Anacardiaceae Actinocheita filicina (Turckz.) Bullock Anacardiaceae Amphipterygium adstringens (Schltdl.) Standl. Anacardiaceae Cyrtocarpa procera Kunth
Apocynaceae Matelea trachyantha (Greenm.) W.D. Stevens (10) Apocynaceae Vallesia glabra (Cav.) Link
Asparagaceae Agave karwinskii Zucc. Asparagaceae Agave kerchovei Lem.
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Asparagaceae Agave macroacantha Zucc.
Bignoniaceae Astianthus viminalis (Kunth) Baill. Bignoniaceae Tecoma stans (L.) Juss. ex Kunth
Boraginaceae Cordia bullata (L.) Roem. & Schult. var. globosa (Jacq.) Govaerts Boraginaceae Cordia curassavica (Jacq.) Roem. et Schult.
Bromeliaceae Hechtia podantha Mez Bromeliaceae Hechtia roseana L.B.Sm.
(20) Burseraceae Bursera fagaroides (Kunth) Engl. Burseraceae Bursera morelensis Ramirez Burseraceae Bursera submoniliformis Engl.
Cactaceae Escontria chiotilla (F.A.C. Weber) Rose Cactaceae Ferocactus recurvus (Karw. ex Pfeiff) N.P. Taylor Cactaceae Myrtillocactus geometrizans (Mart. ex Pfeiff) Console Cactaceae Opuntia decumbens Salm-Dyck Cactaceae Opuntia depressa Rose Cactaceae Opuntia velutina F.A.C. Weber Cactaceae Pachycereus weberi (J.M. Coult) Backeb. (30) Cactaceae Polaskia chichipe (Gosselin) Backeb. Cactaceae Stenocereus pruinosus (Otto ex Pfeiff.) Buxb. Cactaceae Stenocereus stellatus (Pfeiff.) Riccob.
Cannabaceae Celtis pallida Torr. Cannabaceae Celtis iguanaea (Jacq.) Sarg.
Celastraceae Schaefferia stenophylla Standl.
Compositae Acourtia oxylepis (A. Gray) Reveal et R.M.King Compositae Flaveria cronquistii A.M.Powell Compositae Flaveria ramosissima Klatt Compositae Gymnolaena oaxacana (Greenm.) Rydb. (40) Compositae Parthenium hysterophorus L. Compositae Porophyllum ruderale (Jacq.) Cass. subsp. macrocephalum (DC.) R.R. Johnson
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Compositae Sanvitalia procumbens Lam. Compositae Viguiera dentata (Cav.) Spreng. Compositae Zinnia peruviana (L.) L.
Convolvulaceae Ipomoea pauciflora M. Martens et Galeotti
Cucurbitaceae Cucumis dipsaceus Ehrenb. ex Spach
Euphorbiaceae Cnidoscolus tehuacanensis Breckon Euphorbiaceae Croton mazapensis Lund Euphorbiaceae Jatropha neopauciflora Pax (50) Euphorbiaceae Jatropha rzedowskii J. Jime ´nez Ram. Euphorbiaceae Manihot pauciflora Brandegee
Fouqueriaceae Fouquieria formosa Kunth
Hernandiaceae Gyrocarpus mocinoi Espejo
Leguminosae Acacia angustissima (Mill.) Kuntze Leguminosae Acacia cochliacantha Humb. et Bonpl. ex Willd. Leguminosae Acacia compacta Rose Leguminosae Acacia farnesiana (L.) Willd. Fes-I Leguminosae Caesalpinia melanadenia (Rose) Standl. Leguminosae Coursetia caribaea (Jacq.) Lavin (60) Leguminosae Coursetia glandulosa A. Gray Leguminosae Enterolobium cyclocarpum (Jacq.) Griseb. Leguminosae Indigofera conzattii Rose Leguminosae Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit Leguminosae Mimosa luisana Brandegee Leguminosae Mimosa polyantha Benth. Leguminosae Parkinsonia praecox (Ruiz et Pav.) Hawkins Leguminosae Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth. Leguminosae Prosopis laevigata (Willd.) M.C. Johnst. Leguminosae Senna wislizeni (Rose) H.S. Irwin et Barneby
(70) Loasaceae Mentzelia hispida Willd.
Malvaceae Allowissadula rosei (R.E.Fr.) D.M. Bates
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Malvaceae Ceiba aesculifolia (Rose) P.E. Gibbs et Semir Malvaceae Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. Malvaceae Heliocarpus terebinthinaceus (DC.) Hochr. Malvaceae Heliocarpus terebinthinaceus L. Malvaceae Herissantia crispa (L.) Brizicky Malvaceae Melochia tomentosa L. Malvaceae Waltheria indica L.
Martyniaceae Proboscidea fragrans (Lindl.) Decne.
(80) Papaveraceae Argemone mexicana L.
Passifloraceae Passiflora foetida L.
Rhamnaceae Karwinskia mollis Schldl. Rhamnaceae Ziziphus mexicana Rose Rhamnaceae Ziziphus pedunculata (Brandegee) Standl.
Rubiaceae Randia nelsonii Greenm. Rubiaceae Randia thurberi S.Watson
Sapindaceae Cardiospermum halicacabum L.
Simaroubaceae Castela tortuosa Liebm.
Solanaceae Nicotiana glauca Graham (90) Solanaceae Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. Solanaceae Solanum houstonii Martyn Solanaceae Solanum lanceolatum Cav. Solanaceae Solanum rostratum Dunal Solanaceae Solanum tridynamum Dunal
Verbenaceae Lantana camara L. Verbenaceae Lippia graveolens Kunth
Develop and/or apply five innovations / techniques associated with seed storage 2 2019 (e.g., cryopreservation, biophysical analysis). Half-year to Dec 2016:
Sershen (South Africa): Seed storage - A new project has been initiated to
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compare and contrast the proteomes of short- and long- lived recalcitrant seeds. The project aims to identify the molecular basis of storage longevity in recalcitrant seeds.
Innovation 1 (Ferraz, Pritchard): Multi-technique assessment of viability (physiology, biochemistry) of a single seed (see Calvi et al., 2016). Seed moisture determination, viability staining using tetrazolium and analyses of the stress marker glutathione were conducted using one single seed and compared with germination tests. A clear distinction between viable and non- viable seeds was achieved on a single seed level, and Eugenia stipitata is recommended as a model seed to study tissue and cell desiccation sensitivity.
Maximise dry storage potential (including seed health, role of oxygen in seed 3 2019 ageing) for seeds of 70 species. Half-year to Dec 2016: Martin (Spain): Seed banking - Unlike other Lupinus species, important decreases on viability were observed in Lupinus mutabilis seeds (6 accessions), after three decades of storage in the base collection of CRF-INIA (Spain). A large number of additional data of germinability after 30 years were obtained on Avena spp. (331 accession), Hordeum vulgare (134) and Vicia sativa seeds (145), confirming the good performance of these seeds during storage.
Martin, Gonzalez-Benito (Spain): A new project has been initiated addressing
the influence of the presence of oxygen in seed conservation. Rye and onion seeds, with different levels of moisture content will be tested in different gaseous atmospheres.
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13. TEZ Tetrazolium Committee
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP LIST
1 CHAIR: Steffi Krämer Germany 2 VICE-CHAIR: Sergio Pasquini Italy 3 Ignacio Aranciaga Argentina 4 Maria Aranguren Argentina 5 Valerie Blouin France 6 Sharon Davidson United States 7 Gary Duffy Ireland 8 Jose Franca-Neto Brazil 9 Linda Maile United Kingdom 10 Augusto Martinelli Argentina 11 José Manuel Chávez Bravo Mexico 12 Eunhee Soh Korea 13 Alessandra Arioli Italy New since Soo-Yuong Kim Korea 14 2016 New since Sunita, BH India 15 2016
A. RULES DEVELOPMENT A2. Introduction of New Species
Species and test proposed collaboration finalisation 1 Tetrazolium test on Larix unknown FTS 2 Tetrazolium test on Picea unknown FTS 3 Tetrazolium test on Glycine max unknown 4 Tetrazolium test on Pennisetum unknown
A3. Introduction of Rules Changes
Subject proposed collaboration finalisation 1 non
B. PUBLICATIONS
B2. Training publications on specific seed testing topics
Publication title proposed collaboration
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finalisation 1 Reorganise Handbook Tetrazolium unknown 2 Revision of the TEZ working sheets 2017 3 Continue TEZ Working sheets open
C.Workshop June WG Wild Workshop in Denver 2017 Species / FSC no concret date at TEZ Workshop in Canada the moment D. PROFICIENCY TESTS Proficiency test subject proposed collaboration location finalisation 1 see PT Committee F. SPECIAL PROJECTS project title / subject collaborating committees proposed collaboration finalisation 1 none
E. QUESTIONS TO THE COMMITTEE
subject of question
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14. VAR Variety Committee
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP LIST change comments
1 Chair: Ana Laura Vicario Argentina 2 Vice-Chair: Daniel Perry Canada 3 Anne Bernole France 4 Berta Killermann Germany 5 Chiara Delogu Italy 6 Elisa Vieira Brazil 7 Hedwich Teunissen Netherlands 8 Kae-Kang Hwu Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu 9 Ksenija Markovic Serbia 10 Ksenija Taski-Ajdukovic Serbia 11 Kunusoth Keshavulu India 12 Verena Peterseil Austria New member since 2016 13 Marie José Côtè Canada New member since 2016
A. RULES DEVELOPMENT A1. Introduction of New Methods
remarks
Method name proposed collaboration update subject finalisation progress
1 DNA-based methods for maize End of STA, GMO, Rules DNA data was compiled by C Dollard and E December Vieira, STA analysis done by JJ Laffont, text 2016 for the Rules prepared by members after discussion and presented to Steve Jones. Validation data under preparation. 2 DNA.based methods for wheat June 2016 STA, Rules Proposal presented during the annual meeting in Tallin and accepted for the Rules 2017. 3 Survey on species and techniques December Secretariat The committee prepared a survey for ISTA used by ISTA labs 2016 labs that will be use by the committee as input for the definition of new working proposals. Survey sent to labs, feedback from Secretariat received. Data not analyzed yet. 4 Hybrid formula check on maize 2016 or Chiara will lead this and is looking for co- using DNA markers later workers. 5 DNA based methods for barley and 2019 SEC, STA, Already defined leader for barley (Verena P) peas. and peas (MJ Côtè). The leaders will contact Daniel P for advice on how to proceed. This work is delayed due the work the DNA members were carrying out for presenting the Rules proposals for DNA based methods on the crops already studied and because a survey on techniques used and required by labs was sent out to decide on the future work the committee will have to do. 6 IEF on triticum (whether or not this 2019 STA No progress on this as we need the results
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project proceeds will be determined of the survey based in the survey sent out to labs)
A2. Introduction of New Species remarks
Species and test proposed collaboration update finalisation progress
A3. Introduction of Rules Changes
remarks
Subject proposed collaboration update finalisation progress
1 Semi-performance based approach 2016 SEC, ECOM, STA Rules changes were proposed for chapter 8 for DNA-based methods for maize for the inclusion of DNA-based methods for maize. The preparation of the validation documents is on progress.
B. PUBLICATIONS B1. Publications to accompany the Rules
remarks
Publication title proposed collaboration update finalisation progress
1 Handbook on Variety Testing - 2017 STA, SEC, Editorial No progress so far since last report Electrophoresis Testing 2 Handbook - DNA based methods 2019 SEC, STA, GMO, no progress since last report Editorial
B3. Scientific information publications
remarks
Publication title proposed collaboration update finalisation progress
C. WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS C1. Training and education workshops
remarks
workshop subject proposed collaboration update location finalisation progress
1 India - Species and Variety testing - second half STA, SEC, GMO Lead by Kunusoth Keshavulu, India. DNA based methods, of 2017 probably Organization started. electrophoresis, statistics, conventional methods 2 Workshop on variety testing in the 2017 UPOV, OECD No news on that. Nederlands
C2. Seminars
remarks
Seminar subject proposed collaboration update location finalisation progress
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D. PROFICIENCY TESTS Proficiency test subject proposed collaboration update location finalisation progress
1 DNA based methods (SSR) - wheat 2019 STA, SEC 2 PT for A-PAGE and /or SDS-PAGE 2018 STA, SEC, Chiara D will be leading. Looking for on commonly used species (wheat laboratories. The aim is to test the and barley) performance of laboratories ISTA accredited and not accredited.
E. SPECIAL PROJECTS project title / subject remarks
collaborating committees proposed collaboration update finalisation progress
1 Survey on the techniques used by 2016 SEC Survey already sent out to labs laboratories (DNA, protein) 2 PCR validation to differenciate 2019 BDI, SEC lolium perenne from lolium multiflorum
F. QUESTIONS TO THE COMMITTEE
subject of question from
country
Lantmannen Lantbruk, Plant Sept, 2016 Sweden Breeding unit in Svalöv, Sweden is interested in getting access to ISTA methods of varietiy identification/purity analysis, in particular for malting barley. We are interested in the use of both molecular markers / protein electroforesis and would like to know if both methods are accepted. Thank you very much for your kind answer att ISTA. does anyone of you have a method Sept, 2016 Austria for the differentiation from waxy- maize to all other maize-types? Radha Ranganathan Does ISTA Nov, 2016 FIS make any recommendations on the use of markers for varietal purity testing? Do you know if some labs are ISTA accredited for such types of genetic testing? Does GEVES (or anybody else CPVO, UPOV) have any recommendations for comparing varieties using genetic testing? International Seed Federation
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G: Further Comments - Responsibilities leader of working groups
1 DNA based methods Daniel Perry (CA) 2 electrophoresis Chiara Delogu (IT) contact persons
ECOM Berta Killermann (GE) Alexander MALKO (RU) UPOV Ana Laura VICARIO (AR) Website none Workshops To be determined Permanent guest from UPOV Leontino TAVEIRA ([email protected]) Permanent guest from OECD Gerry HALL ([email protected])
New project New proposed finalisation date
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15. VIG Seed Vigour Committee COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP LIST change comments 1 CHAIR: Alison Powell United Kingdom 2 VICE-CHAIR: Hulya Ilbi Turkey 3 Ibrahim Demir Turkey 4 Dionysia Fasoula Cyprus 5 Carina Gallo Argentina 6 Simon Goertz Germany 7 G.V. Jagadish India 8 Mohammad Khajeh Hosseini Iran 9 Tim Loeffler United States 10 Stan Matthews United Kingdom 11 Carey Matthiessen Canada 12 Gillian McLaren United Kingdom 13 Enrico Noli Italy 14 Marie-Helene Wagner France 15 Yan Rong Wang China A. RULES DEVELOPMENT A1. Introduction of New Methods remarks Method name proposed collaboration update subject finalisation progress 1 2 3 A2. Introduction of New Species remarks Species and test proposed collaboration update finalisation progress 1 Radicle emergence test: Triticum 2017 Data analysis and preparation of aestivum validation report in progress 2 Conductivity test: Cicer arietinum 2017 Comparative test completed, data being (chickpea, Desi type). analysed and validation report prepared 3 Radicle emergence test: Elymus 2018 Paper published. Comparative test nutans planned in 2017. 4 Radicle emergence test: Avena 2018 Paper published. Comparative test sativa. planned in 2017 5 Radicle emergence test: Allium 2018 Field emergence trials repeated and cepa complete. Test conditions to be selected for complete: comparative test in 2017 6 Radicle emergence test: 2018 Comparative test completed 2015. Medicago sativa). Variability in data being investigated. Data analysis in progress 7 Radicle emergence test: Glycine 2018 Selection of test conditions in progress max 8 Radicle emergence test: 2019 Selection of test conditions in progress Capsicum annuum 9 Radicle emergence test: 2019 Selection of test conditions in progress Solanum lycopersicum A3. Introduction of Rules Changes remarks Subject proposed collaboration update finalisation progress
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1 Addition of radish (Raphanus 2017 Rules proposal accepted in 2016: in sativus) to radicle emergence ISTA Rules 2017 vigour test 2 Addition of radish (Raphanus 2017 Rules proposal accepted in 2016: in sativus) to conductivity test ISTA Rules 2017 3 Tetrazolium staining as a vigour 2017 Rules proposal accepted in 2016: in test for Glycine max ISTA Rules 2017 4 Use of conductivity as 2017 Rules proposal accepted in 2016: in replacement for germination in CD ISTA Rules 2017 test 5 Alternative method to raise seed 2017 Rules proposal accepted in 2016: in moisture content during the CD ISTA Rules 2017 test B. PUBLICATIONS2016 B3. Scientific information publications remarks Publication title proposed collaboration update finalisation progress 1 Frequent individual counts of 2016 Y.Y. Lv, Y.R. Wang and Seed Science and Technology, 44, 189- radicle emergence and mean just A.A. Powell 198. germination time predict seed vigour of Avena sativa and Elymus nutans 2 Validation report: Proposal for 2016 C. Gallo; J,B. France- http://www.seedtest.org/upload/cms/use the addition of Tetrazolium Neto; M. Arango; S. r/OGM16-06-Method-Validation- Method as a Vigour Test to Gonzalez; V. Reports-for-Rules-2017.pdf Glycine max seeds. Francomano; C. Carracedo; O. Costa; R. Alves; L. Magnano; R. Craviotto 3 Translation into Spanish of 2016 C. Gallo; J,B. France- Cultivos Estivales “Para mejorar la Validation Report ‘Proposal for Neto; M. Arango; S. producción” 54, 105 – 114. INTA EEA the addition of Tetrazolium Gonzalez; V. Oliveros Method as a Vigour Test to Francomano; C. Glycine max seeds’ Carracedo; O. Costa; R. Alves; L. Magnano; R. Craviotto
4 Validation report: Application of 2016 A. A. Powell and K. Mavi http://www.seedtest.org/upload/cms/use the electrical conductivity test to r/OGM16-06-Method-Validation- radish seed (Raphanus sativus) Reports-for-Rules-2017.pdf 5 Validation report: Application of 2016 A. A. Powell and K. Mavi http://www.seedtest.org/upload/cms/use the radicle emergence test to r/OGM16-06-Method-Validation- radish (Raphanus sativus) seed Reports-for-Rules-2017.pdf 6 Validation report: Alternative 2016 M.-H.Wagner, A.A. http://www.seedtest.org/upload/cms/use method for seed moisture Powell, F. Corre, G. r/OGM16-06-Method-Validation- content adjustment in vigour McLaren, E. Noli, C. Reports-for-Rules-2017.pdf testing, as applied in the CD test. Matthiessen and S. Ducournau 7 Validation report: Shortening the 2016 M.-H.Wagner, A.A. http://www.seedtest.org/upload/cms/use controlled deterioration (CD) test Powell, M. El-Yakhlifi and r/OGM16-06-Method-Validation- for Brassica by replacing the S. Ducournau Reports-for-Rules-2017.pdf germination test with a conductivity measurement 8 Revision of Vigour Test 2020 Vigour Committee Work on draft chapters in progress Handbook C. WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS C1. Training and education workshops remarks workshop subject proposed collaboration update location finalisation progress
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1 Vigor in seeds; news from ISTA Presentation by Carina Gallo Vigor Committee, at Soybean Quality Conference, Funes, Santa Fe, Argentina. Organised by Association of Private Laboratories. 150 participants 2 Tetrazolium test for seed vigor in Carina Gallo participated as organiser soybean. Presentation at 73rd and lecturer Course workshop, EEA Oliveros, Argentina.
D. PROFICIENCY TESTS Proficiency test subject proposed collaborati update on location finalisation progress Radicle emergence test for 2017 PT Seed being prepared oilseed rape F. SPECIAL PROJECTS project title / subject remarks collaborating committees proposed collaboration update finalisation progress 1 Automated germination time 2018 All members of the Vigour MGT available for beet and wheat at courses used to reveal Committee interested with 20°C and for sunflower at 25°C. differences in MGT of samples particular species and identify potential RE times M.-H. Wagner. for radicle emergence test. GER 2 Radicle emergence test for 2018 GER M.-H. Wagner, M. Khajeh Hosseini, S. cereals: potential for common Goertz test conditions? 3 Examination of conditions for CD 2018 M.-H. Wagner test for cereals 4 Storage of oilseed rape: changes 2017 M.-H. Wagner, S Matthews in vigour assessments 5 Relationship between RE and the M. Khajeh Hosseini; some data included cell cycle in Triticum aestivum in oral paper at ISTA Seed Symposium. 6 Relationship between RE and the M. Khajeh Hosseini; some data included cell cycle in Medicago sativa in oral paper at ISTA Seed Symposium 7 Relationship between seed Practical work completed; M. Khajeh vigour (conductivity) and the cell Hosseini cycle in Cicer arietinum (Desi type) 8 Seed coat semi-permeable layer 2017 Research paper submitted ; Yanrong related to the conductivity test in Wang forage species 9 Determination of suitable aging 2017 Research paper submitted; Yanrong times of accelerated aging test Wang method in forage grass species 10 Seed vigour measurement 2017 Research paper in preparation; Yanrong related to DNA content and cell Wang cycle by using flow cytometry in forage species 11 Correlation studies between Cold GE Jagadish test and RE test in Corn and Raphanus sativus E. QUESTIONS TO THE COMMITTEE subject of question from country 1 Vigour tests for cucurbits, chilli, India; 22 January tomato, cole crops, coriander 2 Radicle emergence test for UK; 16 March oilseed rape: any influence of seed size and variety? 3 Concentration of NaOCL used for Germany; 21 April sterilisation of boxes in accelerated ageing test
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4 Availability of Proceedings of Serbia; 12 May Seed Vigour Testing Seminar, 1995 5 How to determine the timing for Indonesia; 1 July the radicle emergence test 6 Control samples Mexico; 7 July 7 Vigour tests for millet India; 2 August 8 Specifications for a conductivity UK; 19 September meter 9 Use of EC for treated seeds of Brazil. 22 September maize
New project New proposed finalisation date
OGM17-03 Activity Report of the ISTA Committees 2016 Final 2017-07-03 Approved by vote at OGM 22.06.2017 Page 110/111
OGM17-03 Activity Report of the ISTA Committees 2016 Final 2017-07-03 Approved by vote at OGM 22.06.2017 Page 111/111