Association of Official Seed Analysis (AOSA):
The
basic objectives of AOSA is to develop, adopt and publish rules for testing seeds, and to
encourage research in seed technology.
The
AOSA membership currently includes official laboratories from the various states of the
United States of America, U.S., federal laboratories, several research laboratories, and
laboratories operated by the Canadian Department of Agriculture. The AOSA meets annually.
The
significant achievements of AOSA include publication of Rules for Testing Seed. These
Rules were first published in 1917 and since then have been periodically revised. Current
and complete revisions of the Rules for Testing
Seed (AOSA) are published every five years. In addition to Rules, the AOSA publishes the
Newsletter 9four issues each year) and the Journal of Seed Technology.
International Seed Testing Association (ISTA):
The
primary object of ISTA is to develop, adopt and publish standard procedures for sampling
and testing seeds, and to promote uniform application of them for the evaluation of seed
moving in the international seed trade.
It
also promotes research in all aspects of seed science and technology, including sampling,
testing, storing, processing, and distribution,. It encourages cultivar certification,
participates in conferences and training courses aimed at furthering these objectives and
establishes and maintain liaison with other organizations having common or related
interests in seeds.
The
technical and scientific work of the association is carried out by fifteen special
committees (e.g.committee on seed sampling and bulking, purity, germination, vigour,
etc.). it publishes scientific and technical papers in the Association's journal, Seed
Science and Technology.
The Society of Commercial Seed Technology: (SCST):
The
Society of Commercial Seed Technologists is an organization of seed analysts in the United
States and Canada who work for seed companies or who own their seed testing business. It
was established in 1922. The purposes of the society is to maintain high professional
standards of members, to promote the best interest of the seed industry and to encourage
co-operation between official seed analysts and the private sector. Full membership is
attained through a combination of experience in academic courses, seed testing workshops,
supervised laboratory training and passing an examination. Members are known as Registered
Seed Technologists and are entitled to use the seal and insignia of the Society on their
analysis reports. Associate membership is available for those not fully qualified or who
work in related fields. |
