b'FROM THE EDITOR NEW ECOMFOR THOSE WHO WERE AT THE 34TH ISTA CONGRESS IN CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND,this was probably one of the longest trips of their lives but worth every minute, not only for the Congress itself, but also for the hospitality and the miraculous landscape of New Zealand. I hope you all took the opportunity for a trip into Christchurch. My thanks for the organisation go to all who helped in New Zealand Seed Testing Internationaland, of course, to Olga Stckli of the ISTA Secretariat, who organised everything from No. 170 October 2025a distance. We also hope to welcome you all to Calgary next year.ISSN 1999-5229A Congress always brings a new ISTA Executive Committee (ECOM). You will find introductions from Produced on behalf of the all ECOM colleagues in this issue. I welcome the new members: Didier Demilly (France), Irena Gera ISTA Executive Committee (Poland) and Ruojing Wang (Canada). I would also like to say thank you to Berta Killermann (Germany), Steve Jones (Canada) and Sylvie Ducournau (France) who have stepped down from the ECOM. I take this The views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarilyopportunity to congratulate Berta and Steve for becoming ISTA Honorary Life Members.those of the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA). Every effort is madeEntering the new triennium also marks the start of Ernest Allen (USA) becoming ISTA President. The to ensure the published text is accurate.ECOM and the Secretariat are looking forward to working under his leadership. Ernest is the third ISTA ISTA shall not be liable in any way for possible errors or omissions. ISTA makesPresident coming from the USA. This is 60 years after the last one, Oren L Justice, whose term ended in no expressed or implied warranties of1965. Sergio Pasquini from Italy has been elected as the new Vice-President.merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or otherwise, concerning the use of any product or representationI would like to thank our Immediate Past President, Keshavulu Kunusoth (India), for the excellent that is expressed or implied. In additioncooperation during his term, and the opportunity for us to bring ISTA into its second century together. I ISTA shall not be liable in any manneram looking forward to continuing working with Keshavulu on the growth strategy for Southeast Asia.whatsoever for direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damage resulting from the use of, access of,Southeast Asia is also represented in the ISTA Advocate system, by the first approved ISTA Advocate, Dr or inability to use this information. NoGV Jagadish (India) who will help to grow ISTA in this area. We also welcome Dr Sergio Ignacio Gallardo endorsement of any non-ISTA products or services mentioned in this publicationYobal (Mexico), who will act as an ISTA Advocate in his region. I am looking forward developing ISTA with is given or implied by ISTA.both of them. We look forward to applications from further candidates in other areas of the world.Chief Editor Since the last issue of Seed Testing International, the number of laboratories issuing eCertificates has Andreas Wais nearly doubled. We welcome FI01 (Finnish Food Authority, Plant Analysis Laboratory, Seed Testing), KE01 Editor(Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service [KEPHIS], Seed Testing Laboratory) and FR02 (GEVESStation Yoana Uzunova, Sejal Patel Nationale dEssais de Semences). The laboratory FR02 is now using the fully automated system.International Seed TestingPlease find information on other interesting topics and enjoy flicking through this latest issue of Seed Association (ISTA) Testing International.ISTA Secretariat Richtiarkade 18 8304 Wallisellen, Switzerland All the best,Phone: +41 44 838 60 00Andreas WaisFax: +41 44 838 60 01 E-mail: sti@ista.ch Internet: www.seedtest.orgPublication date: October 2025Circulation: 1553No. of copies printed: 1675Seed Testing International No. 171Deadline for article submission:16 January 2026Instructions to contributors: www.seedtest.org/en/publications/seed-testing-international.html Follow ISTATo subscribe to STI:2 SEED TESTING INTERNATIONAL www.seedtest.org'