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International Seed Testing Association
International Seed Testing Association
Richtiarkade 18
8304 Wallisellen, CH
+41 44 838 60 00
ista.office@ista.ch
International Seed Testing Association

ISTA Workshop on Seed Health Testing, a deep dive into mycology method execution and validation

Edmonton Canada

Registration will be opened soon


ISTA Seed Health Committee is bringing the focus to testing for fungal diseases in seed.

Besides an overview of the ISTA guidelines of validation and the organisation of a comparative test, the workshop includes two practical sections. In the practical’s different testing techniques will be executed by the participants.

Finally, also a part of the workshop is reserved for an elaboration on molecular assays and how to use them in seed health testing.

Date 15.06.2026 - 17.06.2026
Location Edmonton
Country Canada

Information

 

Workshop content

Method validation – how to execute good experiments for the performance criteria for fungal test methods:

  • analytical sensitivity 

  • specificity/accuracy 

  • repeatability 

  • reproducibility 

  • accordance and concordance (organising a CT) 

  • robustness 

How to use molecular techniques in the field of seed health: a lecture

 

Practicals: 

  • Extraction, identification and discrimination of Tilletia spp. 

  • Two different ways in how to detect Ustilago nuda  

 

Language of the Workshop is English

 

Workshop Organisers

International Seed Testing Association
Richtiarkade 18, 8304 Wallisellen, Switzerland
Contact person: Andreea-Nicoleta Pinar   

             

Organizer:
Naktuinbouw
Contact person: Ruud Barnhoorn

                                                        

Local organizer:
SGS Canada Inc. 
Contact person: Janek Bartel

Lecturers

Ruud Barnhoorn, Chair of the ISTA Seed Health Committee 

Stephan Briere, Vice Chair of the ISTA Seed Health Committee

Janek Bartel, Member of the ISTA Rules Committee

Nicole Calliou, Member of the ISTA Seed Health Working Group

Troy Locke, University of Alberta 

Workshop Location

SGS Canada Inc. 
Address: #310, 280 Portage Close, T8H 2R6, Sherwood Park, Alberta

Participation fee

ISTA Members: 750 USD
ISTA Non-Members: 1125 USD

The participation fee includes all literature and supporting material for the workshop, lunches, coffee breaks and workshop official dinner. It does not include accommodation or meals other than those specified.

The number of participants is a minimum of 10 and restricted to a maximum of 15 participants. 

Registration and payment deadline is 1 May 2026

Please note:  
For cancellations made before 1 May 2026 registration fees are refundable minus a 50 USD administration fee. 
For cancellations made after 1 May 2026 registration fees are non-refundable. 


Accomodation recommendations

Guests may book directly with the hotel and will be responsible for payment of their own room, taxes and incidentals.

 

Travel & Visa Information

You may need a VISA and a Letter of Invitation for entry into Canada. For more information, please consult the Embassy of Canada in your country.

If you require an invitation letter, please contact:

Andreea-Nicoleta Pinar
Email: 
andreea.pinar@ista.ch

The invitation letter will be issued by ISTA Secretariat only after payment of the registration fee.

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