b"A Healthy WorldStarts with Healthy SeedEnsuring seed health is the first step for producing better (and healthier!) food.Melissa ShipmanWHILE THE EVENTSof the pastThere is a lot going on to improve year have amplified global health con- seed health, but one of the key concerns cerns, its important to remember thatis establishing the best methods to use plants can get sick, too. A healthy worldwhen testing, he says. If we dont agree relies on a sustainable, nutritious foodon the methods used, how can we accept system, and that starts with seed health. each others results? The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports that just 15Industry Collaborations are Keycrop plants provide 90% of the world'sCollaboration across the industry is food energy intake. essential and the International Seed By making sure that seeds are healthy,Health Initiative for Vegetable Crops we are trying to ensure healthy crops(ISHI-Veg) facilitates those conversations because plant health starts with seedby bringing seed companies, institutions health. Seeds are the foundation for cropand laboratories together to exchange production and therefore seed health isinformation and develop new seed health inextricably linked to food production.tests that will ultimately be internationally Healthy seeds, free from known seedrecognized as reference methods and transmitted pathogens, are a prerequisiteaccepted as industry standards.for sustainable food production, says RoseThe vegetable seed industry consid-Souza-Richards, seed health manager forers a collaborative development of seed the International Seed Federation (ISF). health methods to be of mutual benefit Plant health is increasingly threatened,for the whole seed-supply chain and, with climate change and human activitiestherefore, a non-competitive subject, altering the ecosystem and reducing bio- Souza-Richards says.diversity. This creates new niches whereThe International Seed Testing pests can thrive. In fact, FAO estimatesAssociation (ISTA) now has 142 accred-that up to 40% of food crops are lostited seed testing laboratories worldwide. annually due to plant pests and diseases. ISTA develops and issues methods for Gary P Munkvold, co-director ofseed sampling and testing.the National Seed Health System ISTA president Steve Jones says the Administration Unit at Iowa Statetwo organizations continually work to University Seed Science Center saysimprove seed health methods and some one of the most important aspects ofISHI methods have progressed to become sustainable agriculture is accomplishingISTA approved methods. food production needs without resort- There is an ISTA/ISF working group ing to increasing chemical applications.to facilitate continued collaboration Maintaining plant health is crucial, andbetween ISTA and ISHI to support the that begins with the seeds themselves. seed industry on disease issues and test 18/ SEEDWORLD.COMJUNE 2021"