b'To read our expanded feature on seedtesting innovators in Canada,visit seedworld.com/testing-innovatorshandle testing, and government has limited technical support. InLeader in crop variety testingCanada, we prioritize strong support from government, so whenin Europeprivate labs face challenges, we can work together to solve the issues effectively.For example, when there are changes in regulation, CFIAStaphyt works to achieve more sustainable varieties and cropping systems.and the private sector work together on training, particularly when it comes to regulated seed identification. This was a majorThankstoanetworkoftrialsites,state-of-the-artequipmentandqualifiedfieldagronomists, reason why Wang initiated the International Seed Morphology Association (ISMA). The ISMA platform publishes its SeedStaphyt Seeds department supports breeders and seed companies in their variety screening and Identification Guide, interactive digital tools and establishes aassessment.database for identifying seeds of weeds, economically important Seed identification has been a key focusand wild plant species. NEWSeeds production Abiotic stress trials: frost, drought,because private labs often lack resources .Seed identification has been a key focus because private labs often lack the resources like physical references or technicalVariety and line screening trials nitrogen, hydric Ruojing Wang support of taxonomy or botany. Back in 2009, we started a pilotRegistration and post-registration variety trials Density trialsproject to generate seed diagnostic images for private labs, and while they found it useful, they needed more interactive train- Diseases trials Seeds multiplicationing tools. In 2017, we launched ISMA which opened the door toSeed treatment trialsglobal collaboration.Through ISMA, Canadian seed testing officials work with experts from the U.S., Australia, Europe and beyond. They con-tribute their knowledge to ISMA publications, giving the seed industry better support for seed identification.Shes also chair of the Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA) Advanced Technology Committee and the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) Purity Committee, and is work-ing with committees in both organizations to develop a guideline for advanced technology applications for computer vision seed testing.We started working closely with the industry to solve sharedThrough her collaboration with the CFIAs artificial intelligence problems, providing technical support to seed laboratories, over- lab, Wang is developing AI models that can auto-recognize diffi-seeing them, and collaborating on the revision and developmentcult speciesthose that even the most trained human eye might of official Canadian testing methods. struggle to identify. Its a topic shes excited to talk about as ISTA The result is todays seed testing landscape, where privateprepares to hold its annual gathering in Calgary, Alta., from June labs conduct the vast majority of seed testing services and serve22-25, 2026the first time the ISTA annual meeting has been as alternative service providers. held in Canada since 1983.Many years ago, we started down this path of graduallyWang represents the ISTA-designated authority of Canada transferring seed testing responsibilities to the private sector.and was instrumental in making the successful bid that will bring However, it wasnt just a handoff where CFIA stepped away. CFIAthe event here. Other key players in the bid included 20/20 Seed has positioned itself as a key player, ensuring we have oversightLabs President Sarah Foster, SGS Canada Crop Science Lab while enabling the private sector to provide testing service. In thisManager Janek Bartel and CFIA Seed Section National Manager system, private labs represent government in performing thoseWendy Jahn.tests, and governments role is the oversight to ensure qualityMaking the bid was a collaborative effort between industry control and provide technical support of their testing, she says. and government, and Im really happy about that. When both thecontact@staphyt.comThats something where I think private labs appreciate theprivate sector and government are involved and collaborating, it government role compared to other countries where private labsleads to great things, Wang adds.SW www.staphyt.com66/ SEEDWORLD.COMINTERNATIONAL EDITION 2025'