How to Send Seed
to CIMMYT-Mexico

How to Receive Seed
from CIMMYT-Mexico

Rules for Storing Seed
under Conditions of Zero Tolerance for Karnal Bunt Teliospores

Rules for Moving Seed within México from Karnal Bunt Contaminated Areas to
Karnal Bunt Free Areas

Appendix: Filter Wash
Test for Bunt, Smut,
and Other Pathogens

Consortium for International Seed Technology Training (CISTT)

Why Is Seed Health Important?

Seed pathology is related to food production in various ways. Seeds are the primary input for crop production. When seeds are used for sowing, seed-borne pathogens may cause disease or death of plants, resulting in loss of crops and food. When seeds are used for direct food or feed consumption, seed-borne organisms may cause chemical changes, important deterioration in seed content, or mycotoxin release, with potentially harmful effect on humans and livestock, resulting in food waste or famine (Chiarappa and Gambogi 1986).

Why Is Seed Health Important for CIMMYT?

Because CIMMYT’s research involves the conservation, development, production, and movement of germplasm products (usually in the form of maize and wheat seed), it is of the utmost importance to guarantee the safe movement of germplasm. To support CIMMYT’s research, especially its collaboration with partners in more than 100 countries worldwide, the Seed Health Laboratory has a commitment to:

• Monitor and certify the quality of CIMMYT germplasm products in terms of the absence of pathogens and seed viability.
• Prevent the establishment and spread of exotic pests and diseases that may arrive in seed imported from outside Mexico to CIMMYT.

For more information: Monica Mezzalama

Activities

The Seed Health Unit (SHL) began its independent operations in 1989, with the responsibility of supporting both the Maize and Wheat Programs. The SHL reports directly to CIMMYT’s Deputy Director General for Research to facilitate its important role as an independent auditor of:

• The viability and safety of CIMMYT maize (Zea mays), wheat (Triticum spp., T. aestivum, T. turgidum, and Tricosecale), and barley (Hordeum vulgare) seed for international shipments.
• The safety of maize, wheat, and barley seed arriving at CIMMYT-Mexico.
• Procedures followed by CIMMYT’s Maize and Wheat Programs to guarantee seed health.

Policies and procedures for these activities have been established and are undertaken in collaboration with the relevant national plant protection and quarantine authorities.

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