2019 ASHS Annual Conference

Biological seed treatment is a rapidly growing sector of the seed treatment industry. The global biological seed treatment market is projected to reach more than US$1.2 billion by 2022, from US$700 million in 2017. A wide variety of biological agents are used for seed treatment, including plant extracts, humic acids, amino acids, plant hormones, mycorrhizae or other beneficial microbes, and biostimulants containing mixtures of such substances. Seed treatment with these biological agents offer various modes of action, protecting seeds and seedlings from abiotic stress, diseases, and pests during their establishment – the most critical phase of crop growth.

Objectives

Workshop participants will gain: 1) information on the biological seed treatment market overview and industry trends, 2) information on current and emerging biological seed treatment products, 3) up-to-date information on seed coating technology and treatment research, 4) a shared understanding on potential benefits and importance of biological seed treatment for improving crop performance and protection, 5) a greater familiarity with industry and scientific communities involved in biological seed treatment, and 6) networking opportunities for potential collaboration.

Program

• Part 1 (60 min) has 4 presentations by industry speakers and 2 presentations by university speakers. The presentations will cover the biological seed treatment market and trend, current and new biological products, mode of action, product performance, recommendations, university research on seed coating technologies and treatments, and treatment evaluation techniques.
• Part 2 (30 min) is an interactive panel discussion designed to fill the gap among industry, research, and education on this emerging technology.
• Part 3 is a supplementary session at an exhibitor booth (VCM/SSEST Interest Groups: Automation Technologies for Horticultural Crop – joint exhibit by Vegetable Crops Management and Seed and Stand Establishment Interest Groups) during the ASHS conference. We will display the rhizotron box used for seed treatment evaluation to provide interactive, hands-on learning opportunities. One of the industry presenters (Ag BioTech) is also planning to have an exhibitor booth.