b'ASSOCIATION NEWS Seed Storage CommitteeJayanthi Nadarajan (Chair) and Seed Storage Committee memberswww.seedtest.org/en/technical-committees/seed-storage-committee.htmlSeed storage regional workshop activities held at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF) in Pakistan from 12 May 2024THE MAIN GOAL OF THE ISTA SEEDJayanthi Nadarajan presented an inviteddeclining rainforest diversity around the world STORAGE COMMITTEE IS THEtalk for the Genebank Resources on theand the increasing need for ex-situ conservation, DEVELOPMENT AND/OR IMPROVEMENTWeb (GROW) webinar, organised through aincluding seed banking, to provide insurance OF EFFECTIVE MEDIUM- AND LONG- partnership between the Crop Trust and theagainst extinction and a source of material for TERM STORAGE METHODS to supportCGIAR Genebank Initiative, on 15 May 2024.restoring degraded habitats. The seed banking of seed industry, seed genebanking, replantingThe title of the talk was Seed storage behaviour:rainforest species in Australia has been hindered and research activities. To achieve these goals,what do we know now that we did not know 50by a lack of knowledge as to which species would it is important to appreciate the biologicalyears ago?. In this presentation, fundamentalsbe suitable and the expectation that many would processes that underlie seed storage behaviourin seed cytoplasmic solidification for differenthave recalcitrant seeds. The Rainforest Seed and how these processes are affected by actualseed categories was explained. The talk furtherConservation Projecta flagship project of the storage. The Committees focus activities are toemphasised how understanding glassy stateBotanic Gardens of Sydneywas commenced quantify seed storage responses (particularlyand achieving stable glasses will improve seedto resolve that issue. Data for 156 Australian desiccation tolerance) in species previouslylongevity. Factors that could affect storabilityrainforest species that had been assessed for under-researched; to assess the long-term storageof seeds with high oil content at cool dry stateseed banking, was presented by comparing the stability of orthodox seeds, including aspectswas also explained. Finally, recommendationsgermination of fresh seeds to that of seeds dried of seed health; to develop innovative methodsfor storage conditions for different seedat 15% relative humidity (RH) and stored at 20 C. for assessing seed storage potential/responses,categories, including cryopreservationIt was found that 64% of species were tolerant of including cryopreservation; and finally, toprotocol development for recalcitrant seeds,the drying required for standard seed banking collate, interpret and present information onwere highlighted. The recorded webinar canand a further 10% were at least partially tolerant. seed storage under guidelines of value to ISTAbe accessed online (go to www.croptrust.org/ As expected, tree species produced a significantly members and others. news-events/events/grow-webinar-seed-storage- higher proportion of desiccation sensitive seeds behavior-what-do-we-know-now-that-we-didnt- (42%) than shrubs, vines and herbs (17%;Highlights of the Yearknow-50-years-ago-1/). P = 0.006). Easily measured traits such as seed (January 2024 to present) moisture content and dry weight were found to Invited Lectures Karen Sommerville presented an invited talk onbe useful in predicting the response to drying at Members of the Seed Storage CommitteeTools to aid the conservation of rainforest seeds,the lower and upper range of values, but median have been invited to give lectures as ISTAat the joint ISTA/ISSS (International Society forvalues for each trait were less useful. This led representatives, on new scientific knowledge andSeed Science) webinar held on 27 Novemberto the development of a simple decision key, development of effective seed storage methods. 2024. This talk highlighted the critical issue ofcombining useful characteristics from this study 42 SEED TESTING INTERNATIONAL www.seedtest.org'