21st Seed Quality Analysis Laboratory Days
On 18 and 19 September 2025, the 21st edition of the Seed Quality Analysis Laboratory Days was held.
Around fifty participants from 32 seed quality analysis laboratories, the majority of which are recognised seed certification laboratories, were in attendance.
This unmissable event for professionals working in these laboratories is an opportunity to learn about the changes to ISTA rules coming into effect on 1 January next year.
Many topics were presented, such as:
- methodological development programmes in various aspects of seed quality analysis:
- Physical analysis: ISTA working group analyses on coated seeds and computer-assisted X-ray imaging
- Germination: study on the use of Ethrel to break the dormancy of sunflower seeds
- Pathology: methodological work on the detection of fungi on flax, Aphelenchoides besseyi on rice, PepMV on tomato, ToBRFV on tomato and chilli leaves, TRSV on soya beans, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on sunflowers, mustard and cabbage, Pss on beans, Xvepg/tomatoes, Paracidovorax valerianellae on lamb’s lettuce, Cmm and Xanthomonas on tomato and chilli, etc.
- GEVES contributions to ISTA,
- tools and proposals for technical support for laboratories (ILC, training and skills assessment),
- A specific presentation by SEMAE for laboratories recognised for certification on the new version of the document “Terms and conditions for implementation of recognition”, which includes a list of deviations from the methods.
A workshop devoted to the recognition of pure seeds, addressing methods for evaluating broken grains, was offered twice.
In addition to the presentations in the lecture hall, these days provide a wealth of opportunities for discussion and exchange. A visit to a temporary exhibition at the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Angers provided an opportunity to experience a combination of plants and Generative Artificial Intelligence (Miguel Chevalier’s Digital Floralia exhibition).
The 22nd edition is already scheduled for 17 and 18 September 2026.
