http://www.seedtest.org

Uniformity in Seed Testing

ISTA is committed to developing, adopting and publishing standard procedures for sampling and testing seeds, and promoting uniform application of these procedures for evaluation of seeds moving in international trade.

Objectives of the Association

Following the ISTA Constitution the objectives of the Association are:

(a) The primary purpose of the Association is to develop, adopt and publish standard procedures for sampling and testing seeds, and to promote uniform application of these procedures for evaluation of seeds moving in international trade.(b) The secondary purposes of the Association are actively to promote research in all areas of seed science and technology, including sampling, testing, storing, processing, and distributing seeds, to encourage variety (cultivar) certification, to participate in conferences and training courses aimed at furthering these objectives, and to establish and maintain liaison with other organisations having common or related interests in seed.

Who is ISTA

The International Seed Testing Association was founded in 1924 during the 4th International Seed Testing Congress held in Cambridge, United Kingdom. Currently it's membership consists of about 176 member laboratories, 48 personal members and 22 associate members, from 74 countries around the world. ISTA is independent and acts free from economic interest and political influence, it is unbiased, objective and fair. Furthermore, the hitherto unsurpassed expertise of ISTA is based on the non–profit, cooperation of the international community of approximately 400 experienced, competent and energetic seed scientists and analysts.

What does ISTA do

As an authority in seed science and technology, ISTA continues its role as the developer of seed testing methods. Its major achievements and services provided to date are briefly the following:


  • The ISTA International Rules for Seed Testing, guaranteeing worldwide annually updated, harmonised, uniform, seed testing methods
  • The ISTA Accreditation Programme including Accreditation Standard, Proficiency Testing Programme and Auditing Programme guaranteeing worldwide harmonised, uniform, seed testing
  • The issuing of the ISTA International Seed Lot Certificates by officially independent ISTA accredited and authorised laboratories
  • The promotion of research, training, publishing and information in all areas of seed science and technology and cooperation with related organisations such as ISF, OECD, UPOV and many others

 

       

Benefits

  • Provides the basis for ensuring the trade of quality seed by developing standard seed testing methods
  • Provides a platform for research and cooperation between seed scientists worldwide
  • Promotes research and provides the opportunity for publishing and distributing of the technological data
  • Guarantees worldwide harmonised, uniform seed testing through the Accreditation, Proficiency Test and Auditing Programmes
  • Provides services and professional development programmes for furthering the education and experience of seed analysts around the world
  • Provides an unbiased voice in the seed industry


Membership profile

The ISTA membership consists of about 210 personal members and 162 member laboratories, of which 95 laboratories are ISTA accredited. The membership is a collaboration of seed scientists and seed analysts from universities, research centres and governmental, private and company seed testing laboratories around the world. ISTA values and promotes the diversity of membership, this being the basis for its independence from economic and political influence.


Management of the Association

ISTA is managed and directed by an Executive Committee, comprising of a President, 1st and 2nd Vice President, and 8 members–at–large. All Executive Committee members are designated members of ISTA.
 
The finances and administration of the association is managed by the ISTA Secretariat, based in Switzerland. This is lead by the Secretary General and 8 staff members.

Technical Committees

14 subject–focused Technical Committees and 1 Task Force are responsible for the development of new methodology for seed testing. The Technical Committees are made up of approximately 200 energetic members, many of which are active in more than one committee. Each committee is headed by a chair and vice chair.
 
ISTA Technical Committees include Bulking and Sampling, Flower Seed Testing, Forest Tree and Shrub Seed, Germination,  Moisture, Nomenclature, Seed Health, Purity, Rules, Statistics, Seed Storage, Tetrazolium, Variety, Vigour and the GMO Task Force.

 

Contacting details:
ISTA Secretariat
Zürichstrasse 50
8303 Bassersdorf
CH – Switzerland

Phone +41 44 838 6000
Fax +41 44 838 6001
E–mail ista.office(at)ista.ch

New Publications

Aveling TAS, De Ridder K, Olivier NA, Berger DK. (2020) Seasonal variation in mycoflora associated with asymptomatic maize grain from small-holder farms in two provinces of South Africa. Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics (JARTS) 121(2):265-275. 10.17170/kobra-202011262275 PDF
Berger DK, Mokgobu T, De Ridder K, Christie N, Aveling TAS. (2020) Benefits of maize resistance breeding and chemical control against northern leaf blight in smallholder farms in South Africa. South African Journal of Science 12(11) 10.17159/sajs.2020/8286
Godfrey, Aveling, B. Flett, M. Truter. (2020) Control of Alternaria leaf blight caused by Alternaria alternata on sunflower using fungicides and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. Crop Protection 132:1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2020.105146 PDF
T.A.S. Aveling , Chirwa P, Edgar Mangwende. (2020) Evaluation of seed treatments against Colletotrichum kahawae subsp. cigarro on Eucalyptus spp.. Crop Protection PDF
Zelda, Zelda, Terry, D.A. Cowan, A. Jacobs. (2020) Diversity and seasonality of fungal communities in soil from the SucculentKaroo biodiversity hotspot, South Africa. Journal of Arid Environments 172:1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2019.104020 PDF
Mangwende E, Kritzinger Q, Aveling TAS. (2019) Control of Alternaria leaf spot of coriander in organic farming. European Journal of Plant Pathology 10.1007/s10658-019-01682-6 PDF
Mandiriza G, Kritzinger Q, Aveling TAS. (2018) The evaluation of plant extracts, biocontrol agents and hot water as seed treatments to control black rot of rape in South Africa. Crop Protection 114:129-136. 10.1016/j.cropro.2018.08.025 PDF
Mandiriza G, Kritzinger Q, Aveling TAS. (2018) Seed health and germination of Brassica spp. from seed companies in South Africa. Acta horticulturae :171-176. 10.17660/ActaHortic.2018.1204.22 PDF
Pieterse E, Aveling TAS, Jacobs A, Cowan DA. (2018) Seasonal variability in fungal endophytes from Aizoaceae plants in the Succulent Karoo biodiversity hotspot, South Africa. Journal of Arid Environments 156:19–26. 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2018.05.004
Mangwende E, Aveling TAS, Kritzinger Q, Truter M. (2018) Alternaria alternata: A new seed-transmitted disease of coriander in South Africa. European Journal of Plant Pathology 152(2):409-416. 10.1007/s10658-018-1484-x PDF
van den Berg N, Christie JB, Engelbrecht J, Aveling TAS. (2018) Callose and β-1,3-glucanase inhibit Phytophthora cinnamomi in a resistant avocado rootstock. Plant Pathology 67(5):1150-1160. 10.1111/ppa.12819
Terry Aveling, Truter M, Ramusi TM, Flett B, Godfrey Kgatle. (2018) Alternaria alternata, the causal agent of leaf blight of sunflower in South Africa. European Journal of Plant Pathology (151):677 – 688. 10.1007/s10658-017-1402-7 PDF
Appolinaire A., Thierry R., Theresa A.S. Aveling. (2017) Phenolic content as an indicator of resistance of cowpea seedlings to Sclerotium rolfsii.. European Journal of Plant Pathology 149(2):245-251. 10.1007/s10658-017-1178-9 PDF
Ramusi TM, Van Der Waals JE, Labuschagne N, Aveling TAS. (2017) Evaluation of mefenoxam and fludioxonil for control of Rhizoctonia solani, Pythium ultimum and Fusarium solani on cowpea.. South African Journal of Plant and Soil 34(1):27-33. 10.1080/02571862.2016.1155764 PDF
Masangwa J, Kritzinger Q, Aveling TAS. (2017) Germination and seedling emergence responses of common bean and cowpea to plant extract seed treatments.. The Journal of Agricultural Science 155(1):18-31. 10.1017/S0021859616000113 PDF
Kandolo SD, Thompson AH, Calitz FJ, Laurie SM, Truter M, Van Der Waals JE, Aveling TAS. (2016) Field tolerance of selected varieties to and fungicide efficacy against Alternaria blight of sweet potato.. African Crop Science Journal 24(3):331-339. 10.4314/acsj.v24i3.9 PDF
Ndunguru J, Ascencio-Ibáñez JT, Aveling TAS, Tohme J, Thompson G, Legg JP, Plata G, Sseruwagi P, Doyle CD, De León L, Hanley-Bowdoin L. (2016) Two Novel DNAs That Enhance Symptoms and Overcome CMD2 Resistance to Cassava Mosaic Disease. Journal of virology 90(8):4160-4173. 10.1128/JVI.02834-15 PDF
Mandiriza G, Kritzinger Q, Aveling TAS. (2016) A survey of brassica vegetable smallholder farmers in the Gauteng and Limpopo provinces of South Africa.. Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics 117(1):35-44. PDF
Rudolph N, Aveling TAS, Labuschagne N. (2015) The effect of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria on seed germination, vigour and seedling growth of maize. Seed Science and Technology 43(3):507-518. 10.15258/sst.2015.43.3.04
Mangwende E, Kabengele JBK, Truter M, Aveling TAS. (2015) First Report of White Rust of Rocket (Eruca sativa) Caused by Albugo candida in South Africa. Plant Disease 99(2):290. 10.1094/PDIS-09-14-0947-PDN
Bekker TF, Aveling T, Labuschagne N, Regnier T, Kaiser C. (2014) Effects of soil drenching of water-soluble potassium silicate on commercial avocado (Persea americana Mill.) orchard trees infected with Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands on root density, canopy health, induction and concentration of phenolic compounds. South African Journal of Plant and Soil 31(2):101-107. 10.1080/02571862.2014.912687 PDF
Aveling TAS. 2014. Global Standards in Seed Health Testing. In: Global Perspectives on the Health of Seeds and Plant Propagation Material. Springer, Netherlands, pp 17-28.
Aveling TAS, Govender V, Kandolo DS, Kritzinger Q. (2013) The effects of treatments with selected pesticides on viability and vigour of maize (Zea mays) seeds and seedling emergence in the presence of Fusarium graminearum. Journal of Agricultural Science 151:474-481. 10.1017/S0021859612000457 PDF
Govender V, Kandolo DS, Kritzinger Q., Aveling TAS. (2013) The effects of treatments with selected pesticides on viability and vigour of maize (Zea mays) seeds and seedling emergence in the presence of Fusarium graminearum. Journal of Agricultural Science 151(4):474-481. 10.1017/S0021859612000457 PDF
Masangwa JIG, Aveling TAS, Kritzinger Q. (2013) Screening of plant extracts for antifungal activities against Colletotrichum species of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp). Journal of Agricultural Science 151:482-491. 10.1017/S0021859612000524 PDF
Thompson RS, Aveling TAS, Prieto RB. (2013) A new semi-selective medium for Fusarium graminearum, F. proliferatum, F. subglutinans and F. verticillioides in maize seed. South African Journal of Botany 84:94-101. 10.1016/j.sajb.2012.10.003 PDF
Domola MJ, Thompson GJ, Aveling TAS. (2008) Sweet potato viruses in South Africa and the effect of viral infection on storage root yield. African Plant Protection 14:15-23. PDF
Govender V, Aveling TAS, Kritzinger Q. (2008) The effect of traditional storage methods on germination and vigor of maize (Zea mays.) from northern Kwazulu-Natal and southern Mozambique. South African Journal of Botany 74:190-196. 10.1016/j.sajb.2007.10.006 PDF
Adandonon A, Aveling TAS, Labuschagne N, Tamo M. (2006) Biocontrol agents in combination with Moringa oleifera extract for integrated control of Sclerotium caused cowpea damping-off and stem rot. European Journal of Plant Pathology 10.1007/s10658-006-9031-6 PDF
Kritzinger Q, Aveling TAS, van der Merwe CF. (2006) Phytotoxic Effects of Fumonisin B1 on Cowpea Seed. Phytopathological/Mycology 34(2):178-186. PDF