b'GIANT VIEWSSEED SCIENCE AND SEED IDENTIFICATION 101SEED SCIENCE IS A broad term used to describe the study offield contributes to and benefits from the seeds and includes a variety of fields related to understandinginformation in each stream to provide and working with seed. There are many terms and fields relatedscientific advances within the seed and to seed science. Here are some streams that fall under this broadplant sciences. term and an overview of what they entail. Seed identification is a very special-Seed Morphology and Anatomy: Seed morphology is theized science field, which microscopically scientific study of the physical characteristics of a seed struc- analyzes the morphological characteris-ture, including shape, size, surface features, and composition.tics of a seed and uses plant taxonomy Seed morphology uses the physical details of a seed unit whichand biological associations to determine is an essential trait for seed identification, seed quality, genetica species identity. Seed identification is diversity, and plant breeding.conducted by trained seed technologists. By Krista Erickson, Plant Taxonomy: Plant taxonomy is the science of classify- Accurate seed identification is essential Marketing anding and naming plants. It is used to identify unknown speciesto seed quality and trade. Recognizing Communications Manager,by comparing them to known species. It groups plants accord- and identifying a contaminant in a seed Internationaling to their characteristics by family, genus and species. Plantslot sample provides vital information Seed Morphologywith similar characteristics are grouped together. The plants areregarding the quality, grade and regula-Association given a Latin name (scientific name) as with all living organismstion conformity of that lot. For example, in the taxonomy world.if a noxious or other problematic species Seed Physiology: Seed physiology is the study of plant andis found, the seed lot could be prohibited seed structures, functions, and interactions with the environ- for import or export.ment, such as seed reproduction, germination, dormancy and dispersal mechanism. It encompasses the study of plant mor- Want to Learn More?phology, physiology, ecology and taxonomy. Knowing how aThe International Seed Morphology plant grows, produces seed, how the seed is dispersed, and howAssociation (ISMA) is focused on bring-the plant interacts with its environment gives scientists a fulling this scientific information together in understanding of a particular species. This information is usedone place, as a virtual reference in seed in all fields of seed sciences and provides essential informationand grain testing, to benefit the seed on seed and plants. and plant sciences industry. Their public Seed Genetics: Seed genetics is a crucial field in plant sci- website hosts the Seed Identification ence that focuses on the genetic makeup of seeds and how theyGuide (SIG) and training resources for influence plant traits. Varieties of the same species of seed havetesting professionals. The SIG provides a variation in their genetic makeup which distinguishes themhigh-resolution images and fact sheets on from each other. This is important to help species survive andseeds and species. The fact sheets contain thrive. It allows for plants to adapt to environmental stressesdata on seed morphological character-and preserve traits such as drought or disease resistance.istics, species distribution, economic Genetic resistance happens naturally within species to allow theuse, botany and identification tips. Fact species to continue to reproduce. It is also a common practicesheets are produced by researchers and within plant breeding to target specific traits needed withinseed technologists, are peer-reviewed a crop to withstand particular growing conditions based onand approved by ISMAs editorial board the environmental and geographical locations the seed is to bebefore publishing. grown in. This is how we get different varieties of the same cropTo learn more about ISMA or to view type.SIG fact sheets and training resources, What does this mean? While the various streams of seedvisit the website at idseed.org. If you are and plant science offer distinct and unique glimpses into theinterested in partnering with ISMA to science behind a species or a seed lot, when reviewing all thedevelop fact sheets, training resources, information together they provide the full scientific picture ofor have a particular need of content you an individual species, a crop variety or a seed lot. These streamswould like created, please reach out to me of scientific information are used in practical fields such as seedat contactus@idseed.org. quality testing, variety development and field production. Each 40 SEEDWORLD.COM/CANADAMARCH 2025'