Seed Pathology: Challenges and Advances in Ensuring a Safe Global Seed Supply

Seeds are the cornerstone of food security for a growing global population. An ample supply of healthy, high-quality seeds of improved crop varieties is crucial to human nutrition and health. To meet this need, the global seed industry has become increasingly complex, characterized by multinational operations speeding the development of new varieties and efficiently providing adequate seed supplies. With accelerating international seed movement, the potential risks associated with seedborne pathogens are receiving increasing scrutiny, and phytosanitary regulations are frequently changing. At the same time, technological advances are driving the development of progressively more sensitive seed health testing methods, which are often required by national plant protection organizations to allow seed lots to be imported. Emerging seedborne plant pathogens, such as viral diseases of tomato, maize, and cucurbits, and changing import requirements have caused major disruptions in seed industry operations in recent years. A variety of innovative public-private sector collaborations has emerged in response to the challenges of international seed movement.