b'ASSOCIATION NEWS Testing and International Trade of Forest Treeand Shrub SeedsElisa Vieira1, Victor Vankus and Steve Jones1Chair of ISTA Forest Tree and Shrub Seed CommitteeTHE ISTA FOREST TREE AND SHRUBTable 1. Most tested forest species and genera by the ISTA accredited laboratoriesSEED COMMITTEE CONDUCTED A SURVEY VIA AN ONLINE FORM to gatherSpeciesinformation regarding the testing of seeds fromAcer pseudoplatanus forest tree and shrub species, as well as theLiriodendron tulipiferainternational trade of seeds from these species.Abies fraseri, Abies alba MillerThe 24 ISTA accredited laboratories that include forest tree and shrub species within their Crataegus monogynascope were consulted, and the annual reportsFagus sylvatica(20172024) of the Organisation for Economic Larix occidentalis, Larix decidua Mill.Co-operation and Development (OECD) Forest Seed and Plant Scheme, containing informationPicea engelmannii, Picea sitchensis, Picea abies (L.) Karstenfrom the schemes member countries, werePinus pinaster, Pinus taeda, Pinus elliottii, Pinus palustris, Pinus ponderosa, Pinus banksiana, Pinus analysed. strobus, Pinus echinata, Pinus contorta, Pinus sylvestrisPseudotsuga menziesiiThe online form sent to the accreditedRobinia pseudoacacialaboratories contained questions regarding the main forest tree and shrub species tested, the number of seed lots tested per year, the10types of tests used to assess seed physiological9Number of laboratories quality, and which species have been tested8for international trade over the past five years.7In addition, the laboratories were asked about6the type of information they would like to have available that would be useful for seed testing.5Seventeen responses were received; Table 14presents the most commonly tested forest3species. One laboratory reported that they are2testing 127 shrub species per year. 10In addition to species, some laboratories1 - 50 51 - 100 200 - 500 2000 - 3000mentioned only the tested genera: Acacia spp., Betula spp., Eucalyptus spp., Prunus spp. andNumber of lotsQuercus spp.Figure 1. Number of seed lots of forest tree and shrub species tested by ISTA accredited laboratoriesThe number of forest tree and shrub seed lots analysed by ISTA accredited laboratories ranged from a single lot to several thousand, as shown inweighed replicates (in the case of Eucalyptusadditional information to better understand Figure 1. seeds), tetrazolium test and excised embryo test. Chapter 13 of the International Rules for Seed Testing (ISTA Rules) was mentioned, along with It is worth noting that the information on theThe laboratories expressed an interest in havingexplanations on how to conduct germination number of seed lots tested per year was obtainedavailable information on the following topics:tests using weighed replicates. Although the from 15 out of the 17 responding laboratories.thousand-seed weight; seed morphology,quantity of forest tree and shrub seed lots tested It was also reported that most of the batcheswhich can contribute to a better understandingis smaller compared to other plant species, and tested were not intended for international trade,of germination; images illustrating types ofmore related to domestic trade, there is still a and therefore no Orange International Seed Lotnormal and abnormal seedlings, as well asdemand for information and the ISTA Rules are Certificate had been issued. viable and non-viable seeds in the tetrazoliumrelevant.test; and recommendations on the most suitable Concerning the tests carried out to determinesubstrates and temperatures for germinationRegarding the international trade of forest tree the physiological quality of seeds, the followingtests, as well as methods for dormancy breakingand shrub seeds, the most important genera and were mentioned: purity test, moisture content,and pathogen control (in the case of extendedspecies tested by ISTA accredited laboratories for germination test using both counted andgermination tests). Furthermore, the need forthis purpose are presented in Table 2. Also shown 62 SEED TESTING INTERNATIONAL www.seedtest.org'