Multidisciplinary approach for seed quality assessment and certification

Quality testing, aimed at ensuring the desired genetic, physical, physiological and health properties of seed, is an important mean to achieve successful agricultural production. The increasing demand for certification of seedlots moving all over the world calls for appropriate scientific and technical infrastructures to assess seed quality, and capable to perform routine analyses as well to adjust the procedures to the legislation of importing countries. In our Department areas with different expertise on seed-borne pathogens and other aspects of seed quality are being combined to provide a qualified, wide-spectrum support to the stakeholders of the Italian seed production chain. Testing activity is particularly focused on traditional and molecular approaches to detect pathogens, saprophytes, weeds, other contaminants and the unintended presence of GMO in seedlots. The species concerned belong to all agronomic groups but, in particular, to vegetable crops of the families Chenopodiaceae, Compositae, Cruciferae, Cucurbitaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Liliaceae and Solanaceae. The pathogens most frequently detected are Fusarium oxysporum (different formae speciales), Didymella bryoniae. Lettuce mosaic virus, Pepper mild mottle virus, Tomato mosaic virus. Currently our interests are focused also on organisms producing mycotoxins (Fusarium spp.) on cereals and garlic seeds as well on seed transmission of Peronospora belbahrii in basil