TESTA-SEED HEALTH: Development of seed treatment methods, evidence for seed transmission and assessment of seed health.

A wide range of diseases and pests are carried by seeds. Seeds may carry pest already present in the European Community, but also introduce new ones via this route. Under the EU 7th Framework Programme a collaborative project was granted to a research Consortium, in order to face open questions related to seed pathology, such as pathogen transmission by seed, development, implementation and validation of sampling and detection methods, development of effective disinfection protocols for contaminated seeds. The TESTA project will develop a range of novel methods to underpin the control of these diseases, including faster, more accurate methods to assess the mode of seed transmission, economic and practical sampling approaches for the detection of pathogens present in low levels in large seed lots, novel and efficient generic detection methodologies, non-destructive testing methods and improved, effective and sustainable disinfection procedures. Several target crops and disease combinations have been identified in consultation with EPPO, ISHI-ISF and ISTA. Among them, most relevant are following: Tomato/pepper and their bacterial and viral pathogens, such as Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis, Xanthomonads, and a number of pospiviroids; cucurbits and their most important bacterial pathogen, Acidovorax citrulli; brassicas and other crucifers with Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris and Phoma lingam; wheat and its fungal pathogens Tilletia spp. and Fusaria, parasitic nematodes of legumes. Important aims of TESTA are: (i) enhance knowledge of the biology of seed transmission, both by developing novel methods based on labelled microorganisms and through extensive field trials; (ii) establish a comprehensive web-based database as a global resource, detailing all known pests and diseases of crop plants transmitted by seed; (iii) develop novel methods for assessing levels of seed transmission and their relevance to disease levels in crops; (iv) improve sampling strategies and methodologies for seed lots, in order to generate representative samples for lab testing; (v) establish generic platforms for seed testing methods, together with the assessment of innovative protocols, possibly using non-destructive methodologies; (vi) develop novel disinfection/sanitation procedures for seed, and assessing their proficiency; (vii) disseminate results to national policy stakeholders, testing laboratories and inspection services. Complete information is available on the website: www.seedtesta.eu.