b'ASSOCIATION NEWS Seed Health CommitteeRuud Barnhoorn (Chair)www.seedtest.org/en/technical-committees/seed-health-committee.htmlONE OF ISTAS KEY MISSIONS IS TO PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY SEED TO PLANT RAISERS, BREEDERS, AND FARMERS around the world. A crucial aspect of this mission is ensuring that seeds do not carry plant pathogens from one location to anothera serious concern in global seed trade. In this specific area of quality assurance, ISTAs Seed Health Committee (SHC) plays a vital role. Seed health is becoming increasingly important, especially as climate change makes plant cultivation more challenging. Rising temperatures not only cause direct problems like soil aridity but also create more favourable conditions for plant pathogens, which commonly thrive in warmer environments.With hundreds of pathogens known to be transmissible via seed, validated testing protocols are essential. However, beyond testing, educating seed breeding companies and local seed traders about the risks of distributing low-quality, pest-infected seed is becoming even more critical. This is where SHC steps in. The Committee has developed over 30 seed health testing methods and organises regular Proficiency Tests to help laboratories assess and improve their in-house methods. SHC also provides valuable resources such as validation information on its ISTA web page (see www.seedtest.org/en/technical-committees/seed-health-committee.html), as well as webinars and workshops.By collaborating with other ISTA Technical Committees, SHC ensures a broad and up-to-date perspective on seed health challenges, addressing blind spots and exploring innovations in seed testing to support a healthier, more resilient agricultural future.Highlights of the Year (January 2024 to present) Figure 1. Process flow diagram explaining the method assays and decisions taken, for the detection The SHC consistently strives to publish newand pathogenicity of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici in Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) seedtesting methods in Chapter 7 of the International Rules for Seed Testing (ISTA Rules) or to improvef.sp. lycopersici in tomato seed was publishedcereal seedhave undergone statistical analysis and update the existing ones annually. Thesein Seed Testing International 169 (April 2025).of comparative test data using the Langton methods are the final outcome of validationThis method uses a growth medium assay toAccordance and Concordance Tool, part of the studies conducted through SHCs projectallow fungal growth from seeds, followed bySeed Health Toolbox developed by the Statistics portfolio. suspect identification via TaqMan PCR andCommittee. With validation reports finalised, a pathogenicity assay (see Fig. 1). Followingthese will lead to either new seed health methods In 2024, four projects were active, with onepositive votes from the DAs, this test will beor revisions to existing ones in Chapter 7.finalised and positively voted on by theincluded as the new Seed Health Method 7-034, Designated Authorities (DAs) during the ISTAavailable on the ISTA website from January 2026. During the 2025 ISTA Seed Symposium in Congress in May, held in Christchurch, NewChristchurch (56 May), Isabelle Srandat (SHC Zealand. An article detailing the validatedTwo additional projectsBotrytis cinerea onVice-Chair) presented a new project initiated method for detecting Fusarium oxysporumhemp seed (Figs 24) and Fusarium spp. inin 2025 to update Seed Health Method 7-007: 38 SEED TESTING INTERNATIONAL www.seedtest.org'