NPDN Capacity Building Workshop- ToBRFV Molecular Diagnostics

2025 Seed Testing Capacity Building Workshop 

Location: Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, College Station, TX

Dates: April 28-30, 2025

Call for participants

Seed testing capacity building for NPDN labs.

This workshop aims to increase the number of NPDN labs that will be able to offer seed testing service and serve as potential surge lab for incidences related to seed health.

This workshop will provide hands-on training of conducting seed testing of ToBRFV using the NSHS protocol (standard for industry) to highlight the importance of adherence to protocol.

This workshop is for NPDN labs that are wanting to offer seed testing service. This workshop will equip the participant to enable their NPDN lab to implement a sustainable seed testing services by evaluating and implementing appropriate cost-recovery approaches. This workshop will discuss the logistic and economics of implementing this type of service. Using the case study of this service at Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab at Texas A&M University, participants will learn of the pros and cons of making this services available, and the various level of service that can be offered while meeting the requirements and limitation/obstacles that are present.  Participants will also briefly have some hands on experience through a seed test procedure, followed with logistical operation for preparedness related to testing services and the implementation of required/requested protocol procedures. 

Applicants will be asked to complete questionnaire to help assess current capabilities and also to project future capabilities.  Space is limited and priority will be given to those that have demonstrated the availability or projected availability of equipment and intent to offer this seed testing services.

This is a PPA7721 funded workshop.  All business travel expenses for this workshop are covered for selected participants. 

Tentative Agenda