SEED BIOLOGY PROGRAM Department of Horticulture and Crop Science The Ohio State University Home  Programs

THE SEED BIOLOGY PROGRAM
I. Statement of Purpose
	The OSU Seed Biology Program was established as a consequence of: the loss of other land-grant university programs focusing on seed biology the reorganization of the department in 1994 into the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science. This permitted: allocation of resources into a single program (not faculty) integration of diverse faculty research interests into a cohesive program sharing of common equipment, facilities, and technical support development of an interdisciplinary program of greater academic/research depth and breadth the establishment of a land-grant university focusing on turf, vegetable, ornamental, and tree/shrub commodity interests not present elsewhere the strengthening of the OSU Ornamental Plant Germplasm Proposal by complementing and enhancing faculty research interests The mission of the Seed Biology Program is to investigate, synthesize, and disseminate knowledge of seed biology to students, consumers, and professional clientele throughout Ohio, the nation, and the world. These efforts will emphasize the importance that seeds with high viability, vigor, genetic purity, absence of disease, and freedom from contamination have to the successful stand establishment of horticultural, agronomic, turf, landscape, tree, and ornamental species.
II. Seed Biology Program Faculty
Faculty and their FTE appointment in the Seed Biology Program across commodities: Faculty Cereal Crops Floral Crops Forages Fruit Crops Nursery/ Landscape Soybean Turf Veget Weeds Bennett, M.                      .50    Beuerlein, J.                .10          Cardina, J.                         .25 Danneberger, K.                   .20       Harrison, K.                         .20 Hassell, R.                      .20    James. D.    .65 .05    .05    .05 .20    McDonald, M. .10 .70          .05 .10 .05    Metzger, J.    .10                      Regnier, E.                         .10 Sulc, M.       .10                   Still, S.             .05             Struve, D.             .20             Sweeney, P.                   .25       Thomison, P. .15                         Vantoai, T. .15             .15          Subtotals .40 1.45 .15    .30 .30 .60 .95 .55 Total FTEs in the Seed Biology Program is 4.7. Individuals with seed b iology expertise outside the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science include Lanny Rhodes, Mac Riedel, and Steve Nameth of the Department of Plant Pathology.
III. Undergraduate and Graduate Education
	A comprehensive undergraduate and graduate program is essential for the education of students interested in Seed Biology. Moreover, the educational components should address both basic (physiological, molecular biology, etc.) and applied (production, quality control, etc.) aspects of Seed Biology across a diversity of agronomic and horticultural crops. The following objectives to achieve this goal are proposed: Five new courses will be developed and added to the curriculum. The general Seed Science course will become a 400-level course (from its present Agronomy 630 offering) that focuses on general concepts of Seed Biology and would be taught at the introductory junior/senior level by McDonald. Four new undergraduate/graduate level courses would be developed and taught on an every other year basis. These include (instructors in parentheses): Seed Production (Bennett/James), Seed Physiology (McDonald), Seed Ecology (Regnier), and Seed Pathology (Nameth/Rhodes). This core of courses is not offered at any other university and uniquely positions our Department as a leader in the discipline. The introductory Seed Science course will become a 4-hour offering with an additional laboratory section added. This will require the commitment of a 50% graduate teaching assistantship responsible for the laboratory and recitation portion of the course. The new courses will require an annual budget of $2,000 to provide field trips, teaching supplies, and equipment.
IV. Research
	A comprehensive Seed Biology Program must possess components of basic and applied seed research. The research program is intended to cross commodities although some commodity specific research will occur. The Seed Biology Program will focus on research efforts in three main categories: Fundamental Seed Biology, Seed Technology, and Seed Production.
A. Fundamental Seed Biology.
	Increased knowledge in Seed Development and Germination, Mechanisms of Seed Deterioration/Aging, and Regulation of Seed Dormancy is needed to improve seed production. 1. Seed Development and Germination. We must have a sound understanding at the molecular/cellular and organismal level of all of the processes of seed development that result in a seed of high quality under a defined environment. We only vaguely understand the biochemistry underlying these processes. The Seed Biology Program does not have any faculty members contributing to this important area. 2. Mechanisms of Seed Deterioration/Aging. Understanding the basic processes at the cellular/molecular level that result in diminished seed vigor and ultimately loss of viability when a mature quiescent seed is stored is critical for both germplasm preservation and evaluation of seed quality. Techniques of physical chemistry and molecular biology now available will provide insights into the nature and causes of seed deterioration. McDonald and Vantoai are making contributions to this component of Seed Biology. 3. Regulation of Seed Dormancy. Despite sophisticated weed control strategies, dormant annual/perennial weeds in the soil seed bank remain a persistent problem. The ability to regulate seed dormancy genetically or culturally could lead to new weed control technology. Fundamental knowledge of the mechanisms of seed dormancy and of dormancy breaking chemicals and the means by which these signals are perceived and translated into germination processes are required to solve these questions. Cardina, Harrison, Regnier, and Struve are contributing to this component of Seed Biology.
B. Seed Technology
	Improved methods for assessing and enhancing seed quality are necessary. Three research approaches have been emphasized by the Seed Biology Program: Seed Enhancements, Genotype Identity and Genetic Purity, and Seed Quality Evaluation. 1. Seed Enhancements. Increasing attention is now being directed at seed coating technology (pelleting, film coatings, disinfection) because of its potential to confer even greater disease resistance to seeds, improve seed vigor and modify seed emergence capability. Incorporation of biological seed protectants with coatings has the potential for improving the sustainability of agriculture and water quality via reduced utilization of synthetic pesticides. To date, current seed enhancement technologies have been guided only by empirical studies that need to be confirmed through scientifically rigorous study. Bennett, Hassell, and Riedel are contributing to this component of Seed Biology. 2. Genotype Identity and Genetic Purity. One aspect of plant germplasm preservation is the need to assess genetic shifts in germplasm over time in storage and also after regeneration via seed increase. Verification of genetic identity of cultivars is an important aspect of both public seed certification and private cultivar development efforts. The seed industry needs to have the ability to protect and patent new materials, particularly with the investment required for the integration of new technologies into the field of plant breeding. New molecular techniques such as restriction fragment length polymorphisms, RAPDs, and other techniques offer enormous potential for germplasm and cultivar characterization. Danneberger, McDonald, Metzger, and Vantoai are contributing to this component of Seed Biology. 3. Seed Quality Evaluation. At least three professional organizations (Association of Official Seed Analysts, Society of Commercial Seed Technologists, International Seed Testing Association) are dedicated to seed testing and an array of others (Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies, American Association of Seed Control Officials, American Seed Trade Association) are concerned with the quality of seed test results. Improvements in seed test procedures for many crops remain to be developed and continue to hinder the marketability of the product. Studies need to be directed at developing and improving seed germination, purity, health, moisture, and vigor test procedures. McDonald, Nameth, Still, and Struve are contributing to this component of Seed Biology.
C. Seed Production
	Seeds continue to serve as the prime dispersal and reproductive unit of most crops. Research is necessary in the following three areas to ensure that successful stand establishment of traditional and specialty crops occurs: Specialty Crop Seed Production, Seedling Establishment and Development under Environmental Stress, and Seed Pathology. 1. Specialty Crop Seed Production. The technology for production of major crop seed is in hand, but continued attention to environmentally sound practices for seed production of all crops is essential. Optimization of cultural and pest control techniques for the production of high quality seed of specialty and alternative crops, cultivars produced from biotechnology, and some forage and woody plants is needed. Bennett, James, Hassell, Metzger, and Struve are contributing to this component of Seed Biology. 2. Seedling Establishment and Development under Environmental Stress. Continued progress in modification of agricultural production systems that encourage planting under cool, wet soil conditions place increasing burdens on satisfactory seed performance. Greater research emphasis continues to be focused on sustainable agricultural practices to protect the environment and utilization of no-till and minimum tillage situations to maintain soil fertility/integrity. Studies centering on the success of these programs and recommendations for further improving environmental stress tolerance during seedling establishment and development are being emphasized. Bennett, Danneberger, Thomison, and Vantoai are contributing to this component of Seed Biology. 3. Seed Pathology. Seed pathogens cause a major loss in production of quality seeds and stand establishment. Losses occur during seed development, storage, and planting. An entire industry dedicated to manufacturing chemical and biological control of these pathogens has been established. A thorough understanding of the conditions that favor the establishment of pathogens, their epidemiology, and control is underway. Where possible, development of biological control mechanisms is being encouraged in lieu of chemical alternatives that pollute our soils, food, and ground water. Thomison, Rhodes, Nameth, and Riedel are contributing to this component of Seed Biology.
IV. Extension
	Extension and outreach education is an integral component of the Seed Biology Program. Interactions with the people and industries in the State positively impact our research by helping to identify industry needs and by visibility in the State and Nation that encourages students to enroll in the Seed Biology Program. The Seed Biology Program is unique in the Department because it contributes to every commodity concerned with stand establishment and germplasm enhancement. The Seed Biology Program has three principal objectives in Extension: Continuing service to Ohio's horticultural and agronomic industries through the production of fact sheets, weekly articles to extension agents, extension programming and involvement in state conferences such as the Ohio Florist's Shortcourse, OSU Nursery Shortcourse, Ohio Turfgrass Conference, Ohio Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference, Ohio Seed Improvement Association Seed School, etc. about production, maintenance, and planting of quality seed. A Seed Biology Program brochure describing faculty and their expertise has been developed. Developing and hosting a nationally recognized Seed Biology Workshop on an annual basis. The current strength and diversity of faculty in Seed Biology is unequaled which permits us to offer an annual Seed Biology Workshop. To inaugurate the Seed Biology Workshop, the Seed Biology Program will host the Fifth National Stand Establishment Symposium under the sponsorship of ASHS and CSSA. Another important outreach activity of the Seed Biology Program will be a strong international training component. Many developing countries will require the consultation and expertise of our faculty as they establish successful agricultural programs. Developed countries, particularly in Europe, will require our assistance in enhancing ornamental, turf, and nursery crop seed production.
V. Summary
	The Seed Biology Program consists of 16 Department of Horticulture and Crop Science faculty (4.7 FTEs) with expertise in a broad range of horticultural and agronomic commodities as well as three colleagues from the Department of Plant Pathology. One revised and four new undergraduate and graduate level Seed Biology courses will be developed. A Graduate Teaching Assistant is requested to assist faculty in these courses. An annual budget of $2,000 is required for field trips, teaching supplies, and equipment. The Seed Biology research program spans three principal areas: Fundamental Seed Biology, Seed Technology, and Seed Production. Required support for these areas includes: A full-time faculty position to study the molecular biology of seeds. Four Graduate Research Assistantships to support 16 faculty and their research programs. $50,000 one-time purchase of new equipment to upgrade research facility. An office space suite is needed to accommodate graduate students, visiting scientists and post-docs, and Seed Biology faculty. The Extension or outreach function of the Seed Biology Program will focus on serving Ohio's horticultural and agronomic industries, develop a nationally recognized Seed Biology Workshop presented annually, and establish an international collaboration with developing and developed countries. If these objectives are successful, a full-time faculty member in seed production and one in international seed biology may be necessary.

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