b'ASSOCIATION NEWS dormancy-breaking method with Ethephonthe Germination Committee to take this work (Ethrel) treatment, to the current ISTA methodsfurther.prescribed for releasing the dormancy of sunflower seeds. Seven laboratories analysedAs well as all of the above, future Method ten lots of H. annuus. The new Ethrel methodValidation Studies for germination are being was compared to the two validated methods,considered for Guizotia abyssinica (L. f.) Cass. prechilling and preheating. Statistical analysis(commonly known as Niger seed), to be led by showed that when the batches were dormant, theAndrea Jonitz. Also, the possibility of a reduction Ethrel method was comparable to the preheatingin the number of days for the germination of method and better than the prechilling method.Agrostis spp. and Dactylis glomerata L. is a project Results show good repeatability, and results withbeing led by Dot Vittrup Pedersen.equal to and even better levels of reproducibility compared with the existing methods for thisRules development discussions have also takenFigure 2.David Johnston, new Chair of the species in the ISTA Rules. It is therefore suggestedplace regarding replicate tolerances, whenGermination Committeethat the Ethrel method becomes an additionalreplicates of fewer than 100 seeds are used in the prescribed method for breaking dormancy ingermination test. This may come forward as a sunflower seeds in the ISTA Rules. The findingsRules proposal in 2026.are currently with the statistical reviewer and if approved this will go forward as an ISTAISTA Proficiency TestsRules proposal for voting on at the ISTA AnnualAll ISTA Proficiency Tests during 2024 included Meeting in Calgary in 2026. germination testing. The Germination Committee thanks everyone involved for their Method Validation Study for a germinationcontributions in sourcing seed, supply and method for Moringa oleifera Lam. This study willpreparation of each round. Special thanks to begin soon, with the heterogeneity and sampleDidier Demilly (ISTA Proficiency Test Chair) preparation being carried out by Sue Cousins.and Branislava Opra (ISTA Secretariat) for their Delays occurred in receiving the seed lots to theleadership and support. Challenging issuesFigure 3.Erik van Egmond, new Vice-Chair of occurred with ISTA PT24-2 Arachis hypogaeathe Germination CommitteeAsureQuality laboratory in New Zealand and when the seed did arrive at the laboratory, theL., and this led to the cancellation of the round; laboratory was very busy seed testing. Changeshowever, all other rounds were reported. Committee, with Erik van Egmond and Gillian to the Method Validation Study are ongoing andMusgrove as Vice-Chairs. I would like to thank further review is necessary due to only four seedGermination Committee Publications all members of the Committee for their huge lots being available, instead of six. The proposedWork has been ongoing with the revision ofcommitment and contributions during my time methods to be considered are four seed lots, the ISTA Handbook on Seedling Evaluation,as Chair. It really has been an honour, privilege 4th Edition to incorporate changes since it wasand pleasure to be Chair, and I know David eight laboratories, two temperature regimes published in 2018. Melissa Phillips and Davidwill be an excellent leader and Erik an equally (30 C and 20=30 C) and two substratesJohnston are members of the Working Group thatexcellent Vice-Chair!(between paper and sand). Moringa seeds growcreated the Guideline: Advanced Technology rapidly so hopefully this will help the study toApplications for Seed Testing (see www.seedtest. Germination Committee proceed without long delays for germinationorg/api/rm/9B78H3976PGV99K/tcom-p-12- Noticesresults. The study is important as M. oleifera isadvanced-technology-guide-computer-visio.one of the species chosen by the ECOM as partpdf), so thanks to them and all involved in thisIn 2025 a Germination and Vigour workshop will of the ISTA Strategy to develop methods forpublication. take place in Angers, France from 15 December. tropical and subtropical species. Studies of thisDetails are available on the ISTA website (go to species are also ongoing in other ISTA TechnicalGermination Committee Workshops www.seedtest.org/en/workshops-and-webinars/Committees (TCOM). Hopefully, all the workDuring 2024 a Germination and Tetrazoliumista-workshop-on-germination-and-vigour-involved will lead to this becoming an ISTAworkshop took place in Lincoln, New Zealandproduct-10083.html). If you are interested in Rules proposal for a new species with validatedon 48 November. The leaders were Augustohosting a Germination workshop, please contact methods. Martinelli and Sergio Pasquini. It was a greatany member of the Germination Committee or success with excellent organisation, enthusiasticthe ISTA Secretariat.Erik van Egmond is leading two germinationparticipants and a great learning experience Method Validation Studies, the first for Solanumoffered. We are always happy to help in any way we can, torvum Sw., a new species for addition to the ISTAso if you have questions, please get in touch.Rules, and the second for the addition of 20 C toQuestions and Supportthe germination method for Solanum tuberosumThe Committee answered many questions L. which will be a Peer Validated Test Method,related to germination in 2024. Questions arose due to an existing test method for this speciesfrom laboratories, auditors, other ISTA TCOMs, already within the ISTA Rules. etc., and the Committee answered all those received. The Germination Committee welcomes Melissa Phillips led the review of work on Zeaquestions, so please contact us if we can help in mays L. to examine the possibility of definingany way.evaluation criteria of the secondary root system, identifying a minimum number andMembership of the Germination length of secondary roots to allow a seedlingCommitteeto be normal. The original work was deliveredCurrently there are no vacancies within the by Marija Milivojevi and Aidin Hamidi and,Committee. For the 20262028 triennium, David although very interesting, has been declined byJohnston will be Chair of the Germination SEED TESTING INTERNATIONAL OCTOBER 2025 33'