2019: 150th anniversary of seed testing

N. Leist, M. Kruse, A. Goeritz, A. Jonitz and A.M. Steiner

Situation in the 1850ies in Europe

• Industrialization and urbanization • Growing demand in food supply • Terrible famines killed Millions of people in Europe • Seeds played a key role • Penal laws against fraud

in seed markets could not safeguard productivity and consumer protection

Prof. Dr. Friedrich Nobbe * 20. Juni 1830 in Bremen † 15. September 1922 in Tharandt / Dresden

1869, May

Prof. Dr. Friedrich Nobbe founded the first seed testing laboratory at

Tharandt, Germany offered seed testing service to seed traders

and farmers introduced „control in advance“ for improving

agricultural production and better consumer protection

Nobbe´s Statute of 1869

Nobbe´s Statute of 1869

The key content of the 6 paragraphs: Objective: to support the self protection of farmers when

buying seeds Farmers in the domain of the Institute get samples tested

for free, other farmers and seed traders have to pay. Sampling of well mixed seed lots in front of witnesses,

sealed submitted samples, minimum sample sizes. Results of tests together with name of seed seller will be

published in an „Official Journal“ Fees to be paid, specific for species groups

Handbook on Seed Science Nobbe, 1876

Cover page page 414, seed morphology grasses

Handbook on Seed Science Nobbe, 1876

page 424, small clover trier page 427, seed blower (Spreufege) (Kleeprobenstecher)

Forestry University Tharandt, Germany Nobbes

workplace?

Prof. Dr. Friedrich Nobbe

Further developments

• In 1869: first seed testing station in Tharandt • In 1875: 19 stations in 6 countries • In 1896: 119 stations in 19 countries

• In 1876 first comparative test in Poa pratensis with 17 participants

• 1875: First Assembly of Directors of seed Testing Laboratories in Graz • 1906: 1st International Conference for Seed Testing in Hamburg • 1910: 2nd in Münster/Wageningen; 1921: 3rd in Copenhagen • 1924: 4th International Conference for Seed Testing in Cambridge

Foundation of ISTA – now 85 years ago!

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1860 1880 1900

Prof. Dr. Friedrich Nobbe

Nobbes heritage for today

• Primary purpose of seed testing as part of a seed certification system is consumer protection

• Seed testing methodology must be science based

• Only a community of seed testing laboratories can assure Uniformity in Seed Testing for global seed markets

• Seed testing laboratories are not only service providers but should also be competence centers for seed quality

Nobbes last sentence in his famous Handbook:

Job propensity and intrinsic interest are indispensible for the head of a seed testing laboratory, as – though in the first place - these institutes shall be a smart tool for self protection of farmers, - in the second place – they are also „agitation centers“ in disseminating the following sentence to audiences in all directions:

For sowing, even the best is not yet too good!