Course Summary

This introductory course consists of 12 modules (each approximately 1.5 hours), providing a high-level perspective on seeds and seed pathology, including knowledge needed to address rapid technological advances, phytosanitary concerns, and the evolution of seed trade policies. See below for a detailed list of topics, learning objectives, and presenters.

This Course is completely on-demand, so you can register at any time and complete the course at your own pace! Participants will have access to course materials for 1 year from the date of registration.

This course is designed for anyone in any related field and at any stage of their career who is looking for an introduction to seed pathology!

Additional Resources

• Each module contains recommended resources so you can explore the topics in more depth.
• Participants have access to a private discussion forum on the APS Community. You are encouraged to share resources and discuss course topics.
• Participants who complete the course will receive a completion certificate.

Course Organizers​

Tuition

*Attendees registering with Developing Economy registration must reside or be working in one of the Developing Economy eligible countries. Please review the list to determine if you are eligible.

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• Course Outline & Details

  Module 1: The importance of Seed Movement for Global Food Security and Health

  Instructors:

  • Ric Dunkle
  • Gary Munkvold
  • Lindsey du Toit

  
  

  Learning Objectives:

  • Understand why seed is moved around the world.
  • Be aware of biological, environmental, and phytosanitary regulatory constraints that affect where quality seed is/can be grown and moved.
  • Understand the diversity of seed production and harvest/post-harvest operations.
  • Understand the scope of the course.

  
  

  Module 2: Mechanisms of Seed Infection or Contamination

  Instructor:

  • Gary Munkvold

  
  

  Learning Objectives:

  • Be able to describe the primary mechanisms by which viruses, viroids, bacteria, fungi, and nematodes become associated with seeds.
  • Understand that the risk of seed transmission depends on the type of seed infection/contamination, the pathogen, the amount of the pathogen present, host resistance, timing of infection, etc.

  
  

  Module 3: Disease Management in Seed Production Fields

  Instructors:

  • Chet Kurowski
  • Ric Dunkle

  
  

  Learning Objectives:

  • Understand general principles of disease management in seed crops, including determining seed production locations, crop rotations, field mapping, field preparation, monitoring/field inspection, diagnostics, pest and disease management, and effective record keeping for subsequent seed crop placement.
  • Understand the importance of managing weeds and volunteers from previous crops, which can serve as reservoirs for pests and diseases of concern.
  • Have a basic understanding of how risk analysis can be used to identify pathways for pathogen introduction, and to assess the efficacy of mitigation efforts.
  • Understand how systems approaches, such as the ReFreSH concept, can mitigate phytosanitary regulatory concerns.

  
  

  Module 4: Disease Management in Greenhouse​ Seed Production

  Instructor:

  • Antoine Artz, BASF

  
  

  Learning Objectives:

  • Be aware of risks associated with diseases in seed crops grown in protected structures (greenhouses, high tunnels, ...)
  • Understand the consequences of disease management practices for controlling seed-borne pests in seed crops produced in protected structures.
  • Be familiar with GSPP (Good Seed & Plant Production) principles.

  
  

  Module 5: Seed Health Testing Principles

  Instructor:

  • Charlie Block, Iowa State University
    

  
  

  Learning Objectives:

  • Be able to describe the main categories of seed health testing methods used for different plant pathogenic organisms.
  • Be able to describe the main criteria that define accurate seed health testing methods, including validation of methods.
  • Understand the advantages and limitations of different types of testing methods and interpretation of seed health assay results in terms of disease risk.

  
  

  Module 6: Microbiological Seed Health Tests

  Instructor:

  • Harrie Koenraadt, Naktuinbouw

  
  

  Learning Objectives:

  • Be able to describe how blotter, agar plate, grow-out, bioassay, and other seed testing methods are performed.
  • Understand the main factors that affect the sensitivity and specificity of these seed testing methods.
  • Understand the advantages and limitations of these seed testing methods, including interpreting results in terms of biological relevance.

  
  

  Module 7: Nucleic Acid & Antigen-Based Seed Health Tests

  Instructor:

  • Harrie Koenraadt, Naktuinbouw

  
  

  Learning Objectives:

  • Be able to describe how ELISA and PCR-based methods are performed.
  • Understand the main factors that affect the sensitivity and specificity of these seed testing methods.
  • Be aware of advanced molecular testing methods, including high throughput sequencing, and interpreting results in terms of biological relevance.

  
  

  Module 8: Seed Conditioning and Processing

  Instructors:

  • Tom Day, Sakata
  • Gary Munkvold

  
  

  Learning Objectives:

  • Be familiar with vegetable vs. row crop seed conditioning and processing, and how these processes impact seedborne pathogens.
  • Understand what constitutes seed conditioning, and how and to what extent conditioning can eliminate some pathogens, weed seeds, and debris based on seed size, shape, density, and color.
  • Recognize the significance of seed moisture content in relation to seedborne pathogens.
  • Understand the risks of plant pathogen contamination during seed handling and processing, particularly the biological relevance to plant pathogen dissemination and seed transmission.

  
  

  Module 9: Seed Treatment

  Instructors:

  • Tom Day, Sakata
  • Gary Munkvold

  
  

  Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the range of objectives for different types of seed treatments.
  • Be able to describe the main categories of treatments effective against seedborne pathogens, and the benefits and limitations of each.
  • Be able to describe examples of seed disinfection. treatments that have historically benefited agriculture.
  • Understand the biological factors affecting the efficacy of disinfection treatments.

  
  

  Module 10: Seed as a Pathway

  Instructors:

  • Sam Thomas, Bayer
  • Ruud Scheffer, Consultant

  
  

  Learning Objectives:

  • Understand how seeds can serve as a pathway for introducing pests into new environments.
  • Recognize the difference between seed-borne vs. seed-transmitted pathogens and the complexity of determining how the detection of a target pathogen on seed relates to the risk of pathogen introduction and disease initiation.
  • Understand how seed is assessed and documented as a pathway for plant pathogens, and challenges with interpreting seed health test results.
  • Understand the differences and similarities in risk perception between the seed industry and regulatory/National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) agencies.

  
  

  Module 11: International Phytosanitary Regulations

  Instructors:

  • Greg Lamka, Iowa State University
  • Ric Dunkle

  
  

  Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the international phytosanitary framework, including differences between international phytosanitary standards and national (NPPO) regulations.
  • Be familiar with fundamental principles of sovereignty, least restrictive action, harmonization of phytosanitary measures, risk, and science-based decision-making, and when phytosanitary requirements become technical trade barriers.
  • Recognize how international phytosanitary standards are developed, and how NPPOs use phytosanitary standards from the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) to develop national regulations.
  • Be familiar with the role of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in issuing notifications and final decisions, and the roles of industry and academia in these processes.
  • Understand new options for phytosanitary certification on the horizon, including the systems approach (such as the ReFreSH concept) and certification of seed lots based on holistic pest risk management vs. traditional consignment-by-consignment certification.
  • Recognize the potential impacts of non-science-based regulations on global seed movement and impacts on food and feed production.

  
  

  Module 12: Wrap-Up & Discussion

  Instructors:

  • Gary Munkvold
  • Lindsey du Toit
  • Gerbert Hiddink
  • Ric Dunkle

  
  

  Learning Objectives:

  • Be familiar with the roles of the International Seed Foundation (ISF), International Seed Trade Association (ISTA), American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), and regulatory agencies [e.g., IPPC, US National Seed Health System (NSHS), Naktuinbouw (NAKT)] in the development, validation, and approval of seed health testing methods, and development of seed pest databases.
  • Understand the role of pest risk assessment in regulatory decision making.
  • Be able to link together the 11 aspects of seed pathology covered in this course.
  • Understand the importance of seed in the epidemiology of pathogen introduction and establishment, including in relation to other pathways of pathogen movement.
  • Recognize that a limited number of pathogens with specific characteristics can incite plant diseases from seed-borne inoculum, under specific conditions.
  • Provide feedback to course instructors on the value of the course.
  • Provide suggestions for additional courses/topics in seed pathology.

  
  
• Cancellations & Refunds

  Cancellations MUST be made in writing, received within 30 days of any on-demand course registration, and are subject to a 25ドル cancellation fee. Cancellations requested once the Learning Collection has been accessed are not subject to a refund. If the association cancels this course, your registration fee will be refunded in full. By registering for this course, you agree to the cancellation and refund terms and conditions.

  
  

  Expected Behavior

  We are dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of participants in any form. We ask all attendees, exhibitors, speakers, sponsors, volunteers, guests and other participants be considerate and respectful to all members and refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech. Please note, if you register a guest for the meeting, you may be held responsible for the actions of the guest. Violations of this policy should be reported to meeting staff.

  APS reserves the right to remove any individual from attendance or other participation in any APS sponsored event without prior warning or refund, and to take additional action as determined necessary, up to and including expulsion from participation in APS. Any course of action recommended by APS is final.

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