b'ASSOCIATION NEWS Germination CommitteeGillian Musgrove (Chair)www.seedtest.org/en/technical-committees/germination-committee.htmlTHE WORK OF THE ISTA GERMINATION COMMITTEE IS TO IMPROVE CURRENT GERMINATION TEST METHODS; improve the germination instructions in Chapters 5, 11 and 13 of the International Rules for Seed Testing (ISTA Rules); introduce germination methods for species not yet covered by the ISTA Rules; conduct workshops in germination testing for the training of seed analysts; and to share knowledge among laboratories, facilitating exchange and improving the standardisation of methods. All of these activities have been achieved in the last year. In the background, work has been ongoing regarding updating the ISTA Handbook on Seedling Evaluation. All this work contributes to ISTAs mission, and the Germination CommitteeFigure 1. Germination of Diplotaxis tenuifolia using top of paper (Naktuinbouw 2024)has worked collectively to meet these goals.where possible. Other editorial and ISTA RulesC.5.2 Change in the percentage of potassium Highlights of the Yearproposals are shown below. nitrate (KNO 3 ) solution permitted. The current (January 2024 to present) ISTA Rules specifies that 0.2% KNO 3can be Over the last year the Germination CommitteeISTA Rules Editorial Changes used as a procedure for breaking physiological has contributed to uniformity in seedThe Germination Committee submitted onedormancy. Laboratories have had success in quality evaluation worldwide by working oneditorial change for correction during the ISTAbreaking dormancy using lower concentrations improvements to methods, improving wordingCongress in Christchurch: of KNO 3and have observed less root damage in the ISTA Rules and providing a germinationwithin seedlings when lower concentrations have method for Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) DC., a newSection 5.6.2.1.1 had an extra a in the sentencebeen used [information from laboratories]. A species to the ISTA Rules. This species has beenreferring to pleated paper. Method Validation Study was not completed for of interest for many years due to its use as athis, as laboratories do not have to use KNO 3(a 0% vegetable, often known as wild rocket and usedThis was accepted as part of the overall editorialconcentration is already allowed), and dormancy as a leafy salad ingredient. Previously, a smallchanges, which have been scrutinised by bothbreaking is not a requirement. Laboratories study had been conducted in one laboratory, butthe ISTA Rules Committee and the Executiveare required to determine the viability of fresh a larger study was required. Seed was difficult toCommittee (ECOM). These small editorialseed 5%. This proposal was to allow solutions source, but finally in 2024, a Method Validationchanges make a big difference to the ISTA Rules. of up to 0.2% KNO 3to be used. Laboratories Study was progressed. would continue to state the percentage of KNO 3ISTA Rules Proposals used on ISTA Certificates. This proposal does The D. tenuifolia work was led by Erik vanThe Germination Committee submitted threenot harmonise with the AOSA Rules, but it Egmond and followed the Method Validationproposals: does give laboratories the opportunity to use Study process to ensure that a robust,lower concentrations of KNO 3where they see reliable, repeatable and reproducible methodB.2.1 Addition of a germination method forthis as beneficial to dormancy breaking. It also was produced. The study involved six ISTAa new species to the ISTA Rules, Diplotaxisaligns with the use of gibberellic acid (GA 3 ), accredited laboratories testing four methods:tenuifolia (L.) DC. As described above, this iswhere different concentrations of up to 0.1% are with and without potassium nitrate (KNO 3 ) as aan important food crop to be added to the ISTApermitted.recommendation for dormancy breaking; twoRules, giving a robust germination method temperature regimes (20=30 C; 30 C); andensuring laboratories worldwide have aAll three proposals were accepted through a vote using top of paper (TP) as the substrate (Fig. 1).procedure to follow to ensure uniformity in seedby the membership, so will become new ISTA The outcome of the study found the best methodtesting. Rules on 1 January 2026.to be TP, 20=30 C, with or without KNO 3 , with counts after 4 and 10 days, using SeedlingC.5.1 Revised wording to clarify that the firstMethod DevelopmentEvaluation Group A-2-1-1-1. This resulted in acount may be postponed or omitted if seedlingsAs always, method development has played a proposal to add D. tenuifolia to the ISTA Rules,have not reached a stage of development whichbig part in the work of the Committee, with the with the above germination method to beallows for accurate evaluation (ISTA Rules,following projects ongoing:voted on at the ISTA Congress in Christchurch,Section 5.6.4 Duration of the test and 5.10 New Zealand in May 2025. The proposal wasGermination methods). This addition makesMethod Validation Study to examine a new accepted, and this will be a new method fromthings clearer for laboratories and auditors. Themethod for breaking dormancy in Helianthus 1 January 2026. The method harmonises withparagraphs were also split up to make themannuus L. (sunflower), led by Audrey Dupont the Association of Official Seed Analystseasier to read. The proposal harmonises with theand Sylvie Ducournau. This study was (AOSA) Rules, which is something we aim for,AOSA Rules. conducted to support the introduction of a new32 SEED TESTING INTERNATIONAL www.seedtest.org'