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​​​Seed Pathology Series​​​​​

Developing & Validating Seed Health Assays ​

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Dates​ & Format

February 1​​​​1​ – April 15, 2025

  • Live sessions on ​Tuesdays, 9:00 am - 10:15 am US Central Time 
  • Participants can choose to attend sessions live or view the recordings. ​

Registration is now closed - the On-Demand version will be available in Summer 2025. ​​​

Already registered? Access the Course

Course Description

This course builds upon the Seed Pathology Fundamentals course, diving deeper into the latest and most effective practices for developing and validating robust seed health assays. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding, and practical tools tailored to their unique needs in research, industry, and regulatory settings. Additionally, those involved in reviewing manuscripts or proposals will gain valuable insights related to seed health testing and seed pathology.  


This course will cover the following: 
  • Critical components and criteria for developing and validating seed health assays. 
  • Similarities and differences for method validation among regional, national, and international organizations and agencies. 
  • Development and validation of different seed health testing methods featuring real-world examples. 
  • Publishing seed health assays: tips for editors and reviewers. 

Note: This course continues the series of seed pathology courses offered through APS to address the global demand for seed pathology education and training, so stay tuned for more! ​
​​

​Meet the Organizers


Lindsey du Toit

Lindsey du Toit
Washington State University
APS & ISPP Seed Pathology Committee


Gary Munkvold

Gary Munkvold
Iowa State University
APS & ISPP Seed Pathology Committees


Is this Course Right for Me?

We recommend that participants meet one of the following criteria:

  1. Have a preexisting foundation of knowledge of Seed Pathology and testing methodology.
  2. Previously completed the APS Seed Pathology Fundamentals course (available now on-demand).
​​​This course will be valuable for those that 
  • Conduct research in plant pathology related to seeds.  
  • Work in industry or trade of seeds.
  • Are involved in developing or validating seed health testing methods. 
  • Serve on journal editorial boards, as ad hoc reviewers for journal manuscripts, or on grant review panels on plant pathology topics.​ 
  • Work for or are involved with regulatory agencies developing or enforcing policies associated with plants and seed trade. 

​Course Includes:​

  • 10 lessons led by experts representing various perspectives on seed assay development.
    • Participants may attend live or view the recording of each lecture. Recordings are available 24-48 hours after each live session. ​
  • Supplemental resources so you can explore the topics in more depth.
  • A private discussion forum on the APS Community. You are encouraged to ask questions, share resources, and discuss course topics outside of live sessions. 
  • Access to course materials and recordings for one year from the start date.
  • A completion certificate.

​Full Course Schedule

​Complete Course Outline and Dates
​All sessions run 9:00 am - 10:15 am CST. Session recording​s will be available approximately 24 - 48 hours after each live session in the course on the APS Learning Center.  

Dates​

​Topic

​​​Speaker(s)
Part 1: ​Introduction to Seed Health Assay Development & Validation
​February 11, 202​5​
​Overview of Critical Components and Criteria for Method Validation & The NSHS Approach​​
​Gary Munkvold
Iowa State University

Lindsey du Toit
Washington State University
​​Part 2: Organizations & Associations Involved in Seed Health Testing
​February 18, 2025
​International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) & the ISF International Seed Health Initiative (ISHI)
Ruud B​arnhoorn 
Naktuinbouw 

Ludivine Thomas 
ISF-ISHI

Joyce Woudenberg 
ISF-ISHI​ & Naktuinbou

​February 25, 2025
​​USA National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN) & the Diagnostic Assay Validation Network (DAVN)


​Carrie Harmon
University of Florida, Southern Plant Diagnostic Network, DAVN Co-PI
​March 4, 2025
​United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

Vessela Mavrodieva
USDA APHIS Plant Pathogen Confirmatory Diagnostics Lab.
​Part 3: ​ ​Development & Validation of Seed Health Testing Methods
​March 11, 2025
​PCR & Real-Time PCR Assays
Li-fang Chen, Jill Demers & Samantha Thomas
Bayer
​March 18, 2025
​ELISA Gary Munkvold
Iowa State University

March 25, 2025
​Direct Assays
Lindsey du Toit
Washington State University
April 1, 2025

​High Throughput Sequencing
Sebastien Massart
University of Liege, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech
​April 8, 2025​​
​​Case Studies with Multiple Types of Seed Health Assays
Kurt Klein-Hesselink​
US Agriseeds & ISTA Seed Health Committee
Part 4: Course Summary & Publishing Considerations
​April 15, 2025
​Course Summary & Considerations for Publication and Review of Seed Assay Publications Lindsey du Toit
Washington State University

Gary Munkvold
Iowa State University





​Registration Rates

TypeRate​
​Developing Economy*
$16.00
Student Member
$69.00
​Member
$149.00
Nonmember
$249.00​
Group Registration**
10% discount for 5+ registrations from the same company/organization

*Attendees registering with the Developing Economy rate may be members or nonmembers but must reside in or work in one of the Developing Economy eligible countries. Please review the list to determine if you are eligible.

**Email apscourses@scisoc.org to get a discount code.​​


Thank You to our Sponsors!

Vegetable and Flower Permanent Research Fundof theAmerican Seed Trade Association

 

Interested in sponsoring these or future seed pathology courses?

Learn more about available opportunities below and please reach out to Rachel Alvarado to reserve your sponsorship today!


​Cancellations/Refunds

Cancellations MUST be made in writing, received within 30 days of any on-demand course registration, and are subject to a $25 cancellation fee. Cancellations requested once the Learning Collection has been accessed are not subject to a refund. If the association cancels this course, your registration fee will be refunded in full.  By registering for this course, you agree to the cancellation and refund terms and conditions.​

Expected Behavior​

We are dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of participants in any form. We ask all attendees, exhibitors, speakers, sponsors, volunteers, guests and other participants be considerate and respectful to all members and refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech. Please note, if you register a guest for the meeting, you may be held responsible for the actions of the guest. Violations of this policy should be reported to meeting staff. ​
APS reserves the right to remove any individual from attendance or other participation in any APS sponsored event without prior warning or refund, and to take additional action as determined necessary, up to and including expulsion from participation in APS. Any course of action recommended by APS is final.

​​Questions? Contact: 

The American Phytopathological Society ​​
3285 Northwood Circle, Suite 100 ​
St. Paul, MN 55121
Telephone: +1.651.454.7250 
Fax: +1.651.454.0766 
E-mail: apscourses@scisoc.org​