Agronômica's Role in Health Certification of Seed Lots

Globalization facilitates international trade in agricultural products, including seedlings and seeds. Seeds are imported and exported to different regions to meet local demands and large-scale production. The implementation of phytosanitary regulations and standards for the circulation of seeds seeks to guarantee compliance with quality standards, ensuring trade safety and greater system reliability, as some pathogens can be transmitted by seeds.

Phytosanitary certification helps to identify and eliminate seeds infected by pathogens (bacteria, viruses, and fungi) and pests that can cause damage to crops. This tool acts as a stamp of secure approval to prevent the introduction of pathogens to new or existent production areas. It ensures that the seeds comply with established regulations and standards: by guaranteeing clear rules when importing healthy seeds, one can guarantee the export of healthy grains that comply with phytosanitary export requirements.

In this sense, seed health tests constitute an essential part of the health certification of seed lots and quarantine programs at national and international level. Tests in phytosanitary diagnostic made by expert laboratories – such as AGRONÔMICA – are extremely necessary to certify the quality of the seeds. These tests must present high sensitivity, accuracy, and speed, as the seeds received might be analyzed in an asymptomatic stage.

One of the most efficient techniques in diagnostic laboratories is the Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction, as it allows the detection and quantification of pathogens quickly and specifically, facilitating the identification of problems and making assertive decisions, such as electing the best fungicide for seed treatments. As a collateral and important outcome, such efficiency can minimize economic and environmental impacts that would be significant otherwise.

As phytosanitary certification plays a fundamental role in the protection of agricultural crops, through preventing the spread of pests and pathogens, compliance with regulations and standards, traceability, and assistance to safe commercialization of seeds, it is an essential tool to promote food security and agricultural sustainability.

Agronômica fully complies with all phytosanitary regulations protecting existing agricultural ecosystems and facilitating sustainable trade practices that promote food security and reinforcing agricultural

sustainability on a global scale. As we continue to navigate the challenges of a rapidly changing agricultural landscape, the importance of laboratory certification in seed health cannot be overlooked—it stands as a cornerstone in our efforts to secure the future of agriculture.

Learn more about Agronomica’s offering of services at : www.agronomicabr.com.br