Seed Testing of Maize and Wheat A Laboratory Guide - Search ...
Seed Testing of Maize and Wheat A Laboratory Guide - Search ...
Seed Testing of Maize and Wheat A Laboratory Guide - Search ...
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Foreword <br />
CIMMYT aims to help the poor by<br />
increasing the productivity <strong>of</strong><br />
resources committed to maize <strong>and</strong><br />
wheat in developing countries,<br />
while protecting the environment,<br />
through agricultural research <strong>and</strong> in<br />
concert with national research<br />
systems.<br />
Germplasm improvement continues<br />
to be CIMMYT's main line <strong>of</strong> work,<br />
responding to a predicted increase<br />
in dem<strong>and</strong> for advanced germplasm<br />
products <strong>and</strong> for source populations<br />
containing special traits. For this<br />
reason, CIMMYT also serves as a<br />
world storage <strong>and</strong> trust facility for<br />
the genetic resources <strong>of</strong> maize <strong>and</strong><br />
wheat.<br />
CIMMYT's germplasm improvement<br />
programs rely heavily on the free<br />
international exchange <strong>of</strong> maize<br />
<strong>and</strong> wheat seed. All concerned<br />
institutions, cooperators, <strong>and</strong><br />
regulating authorities must have<br />
confidence in the safety <strong>of</strong> both<br />
imported <strong>and</strong> exported seed to<br />
facilitate such exchange.<br />
Accordingly, CIMMYT is fully<br />
committed to maintaining<br />
fundamental health st<strong>and</strong>ards in its<br />
worldwide operations to protect the<br />
agriculture <strong>of</strong> cooperators <strong>and</strong> host<br />
countries.<br />
The <strong>Seed</strong> Health Unit at CIMMYT<br />
carries out phytosanitary<br />
examination <strong>of</strong> maize <strong>and</strong> wheat<br />
seeds (the Center's two m<strong>and</strong>ated<br />
crops), prior to their export, <strong>and</strong><br />
examination <strong>of</strong> any imported seeds.<br />
These examinations are carried out<br />
in close collaboration with the plant<br />
quarantine authorities <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Government <strong>of</strong> Mexico.<br />
The unrestricted movement <strong>and</strong><br />
exchange <strong>of</strong> germplasm is vital to<br />
progress in crop improvement<br />
programmes, but this movement<br />
must not jeopardize crops by<br />
spreading pests or diseases.<br />
International exchange <strong>of</strong> diseasefree<br />
germ plasm is possible if<br />
safeguards are imposed during<br />
seed production <strong>and</strong> seed<br />
distribution. Quarantine stations<br />
receive seeds for certification from<br />
various sources including seed<br />
industries, growers, research<br />
stations, individual scientists,<br />
traders, etc. The risk <strong>of</strong> spreading<br />
seed-borne pathogens varies<br />
widely with seed source. <strong>Seed</strong> from<br />
scientists <strong>and</strong> well-equipped seed<br />
industries is usually monitored<br />
during its active growing season by<br />
a qualified pathologist, to reduce<br />
these risks.<br />
The authors, during the course <strong>of</strong><br />
their work in the <strong>Seed</strong> Health Unit<br />
at CIMMYT, have intercepted a<br />
nllmhar 1"\4 t:" .............. L.o. ____ ,rganisms, <br />
<strong>and</strong> recorded their characteristics<br />
for easy identification. This manual<br />
describes each organism recorded<br />
with a series <strong>of</strong> photographs <strong>and</strong><br />
gives a quick clue to facilitate rapid<br />
identification <strong>of</strong> the organism. In<br />
addition, details on distribution,<br />
significance, quarantine, detection<br />
techniques <strong>and</strong> references are<br />
given.<br />
It is hoped that this manual will<br />
provide useful information to<br />
agricultural scientists <strong>and</strong> seed<br />
quarantine agencies testing maize<br />
<strong>and</strong> wheat seeds for import <strong>and</strong><br />
export, <strong>and</strong> will help to minimize<br />
the risk <strong>of</strong> spreading diseases that<br />
could reduce crop yields <strong>and</strong> limit<br />
the amount <strong>of</strong> food produced by<br />
farmers.<br />
Timothy Reeves<br />
Director General,<br />
CIMMYT<br />
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