7 SEED TESTING INTERNATIONAL OCTOBER 2026 ASSOCIATION NEWS Janek Bartel ISTA Rules Committee Chair Changes to the International Rules for Seed Testing, 2027 Edition THE ISTA RULES COMMITTEE CONTINUES TO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN ENSURING THAT PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE INTERNATIONAL RULES FOR SEED TESTING ARE THOROUGHLY REVIEWED, DISCUSSED AND UNDERSTOOD before they are presented for voting by the ISTA membership. A key part of this process is the annual online ISTA Rules Session, which provides an opportunity for Technical Committees (TCOM), ISTA members and stakeholders from around the world to discuss proposed rule changes and ask questions before the Ordinary General Meeting. The 2026 online ISTA Rules Session was held on 13 May 2026 and was attended by participants from across the global seed testing community. The session allowed TCOMs to present and discuss their proposals; provided member governments with information to support informed voting decisions; and encouraged broad review of the proposed changes before their publication in the next edition of the ISTA Rules. This year also marked a transition within the ISTA Rules Committee. Following years of dedicated service to the Committee, Jodi Keeling stepped back from her role as Chair. I would like to thank Jodi for her commitment, mentorship and significant contributions to the continuous improvement of the ISTA Rules. The proposals approved by the membership at the 2026 Ordinary General Meeting are summarised below. Approved changes will be incorporated into the next edition of the ISTA Rules and will become effective on 1 January 2027. The complete record of voting and all approved proposals are available on the ISTA website (see www.seedtest.org). As we look ahead, the ISTA Rules Committee remains committed to maintaining the scientific integrity, practicality and international relevance of the ISTA Rules. The Committee is currently seeking a new Vice-Chair, and we encourage qualified individuals who are interested in contributing to the future development of the ISTA Rules to consider becoming involved. I would like to thank the TCOMs, designated authorities, ISTA members and all stakeholders who have contributed their time and expertise throughout the rules development and review process. Their continued engagement is essential to ensuring that the ISTA Rules remain a globally recognised standard for seed testing. The deadline for submitting rules change proposals to be voted on at the 2027 ISTA Annual Meeting in Angers, France is 1 November 2026. Summary of Approved ISTA Rules Change Proposals Rules Changes and New Methods Requiring a Vote Chapter 1: ISTA Certificates • Requirement added to clearly identify to which test or determination the reported results in the ‘Other determinations’ section refer. Chapter 2: Sampling • Definitions of containers, sealed containers and self-sealing containers clarified. • Requirements for marking, labelling and sealing seed lots updated, particularly for small packets contained within larger shipping containers. Chapter 3: The purity analysis • Pure seed definition for Paspalum species expanded. • Provisions for reporting specified inert matter added, including items such as sclerotia, ergot, smut balls and nematode galls. This change also affects Chapter 4. Chapter 5: The germination test • Requirements for alternating temperature regimes clarified. • Cautionary statement added regarding use of potassium nitrate for breaking dormancy. • Ethephon added as a dormancy-breaking treatment for Helianthus annuus and reporting requirements introduced for dormancy-breaking solution concentrations. • Drying instructions for presoaked Beta vulgaris seed added. • New tolerance tables introduced for germination tests using replicates of 50 and 25 seeds. Chapter 6: The topographical tetrazolium test • New tetrazolium method for Glycine max added. • Requirements for verification of tetrazolium solution quality introduced. Chapter 7: Seed health testing • Temperature requirements for methods 7-019a and 7-019b for Xanthomonas detection in Brassica seed updated. • New method for detection of Fusarium species on cereal seed (Method 7-035) added. • Reporting requirements for seed health testing revised to improve clarity and consistency of results. Chapter 8: Species and variety testing • DNA-based varietal identification method for Hordeum vulgare added. • Recommended duration of Lolium fluorescence test reduced to align with current germination procedures. Chapter 11: Testing coated seeds • Rules and reporting requirements added for moisture testing of pelleted seeds. Chapter 15: Seed vigour testing • Radicle emergence test for Allium species added. • New cold test method for Zea mays introduced. • Evaluation criteria clarified for radicle emergence testing on Glycine max.
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