b'PROTECTING INNOVATIONTogether We Are Seeding the FutureIN A GLOBAL ECONOMYwhere everything isHowever, these innovations come at a cost and their accessible at the click of a mouse, its easy to takecontinued discovery and development is only through for granted the basic essentials of life: food, clothing,a commitment to research. Seed companies annually shelter, clean water. However, meeting the needs of ainvest in the development of new seed innovations and growing population requires innovation in all areas ofa great example of that investment is shown in leafy the seed industry, whether it is new germplasms, traits,greens. In 1995, an estimated $5 million was invested breeding technologies, seed coatings, seed sorting,in new lettuce innovations, increasing to $16.7 million in planting, harvesting or consumer focused innovations.2005 and $24.5 million in 2015.Only by working together and respecting the rights of others, can we ensure the continued development JAMES WEATHERLY of those innovations that will meet the needs of future Seed Innovation andgenerations.To ensure this continued investment in new Protection AllianceNew innovations are continuously being developed executive director that provide benefits throughout the seed industry.innovations, we all need to work together. This Some examples include:includes respecting the intellectual property Seed coating innovations:oPreemergent seed technologies that providerights of others. protection against pests, such as organic seed treatments for spinach that provide early plant protection against Pythium even before the plant emerges For many crops, it takes 7 to 10 years to develop ando Weed priming and enhancement technologiescommercialize a new variety, with an estimated average that improve vegetable seed yield and quality cost of $1 million per year, per variety. While this invest-ment is daunting, over the past 30 years, new seed WHEREWEB Grower focused innovations: innovations has led to decreased soil erosion, green-ON THE o Nematode resistant carrotshouse gas emissions, water and energy use, while crop For more information o Mildew resistance lettuceyields have steadily gone up.on the intellectualo Mildew resistant spinach; andFrom new germplasm to harvesters, every area of property protectiono Aphid resistance lettuce the seed industry contributes to the investment and associated with development of new innovations that are needed for seed, visit the Harvesting innovations: future generations. However, to ensure this continued SIPA website ato Mechanically harvestable broccoli, melons andinvestment in new innovations, we all need to work seedipalliance.comparthenocarpic cucumbers (pickles) that savetogether. This includes respecting the intellectual or contact James Weatherly at jamesw@ labor costs property rights of others. For seed companies, this seedipalliance.com. can mean respecting the breeding methods, traits and Consumer focused innovations: germplasms of your competitors. For dealers, this can oSnack sized miniconical peppers with almost nobe selling professionally produced seed from a reliable seeds, which are fun and sweet tasting for kidssource that maintains a standard and reputation that oOne-cut lettuce, featuring brilliant colors andgrowers know they can count on. For growers, buying diverse leaf shapes professionally produced seed or seed coatings maxi-o Arugula, herb and lettuce varieties with longermizes their resources and provides the greatest yield, shelf life and a better consumer experiencewhich in turn leads to more profits.o Tear-less onions offer better consumer experienceTogether, we are seeding the future to meet the for preparing cut onions needs of future generations!SW24/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2020'