The mission of the ASRF is to encourage research in Plant and Seed Biology that has the potential for application to more than one crop species and to facilitate the transfer of resulting technology to benefit the seed industry, farmers/growers and consumers on a global basis.
The American Seed Research Foundation (ASRF), is an extension of the American Seed Trade Association, and was established in 1959 as a tax exempt, scientific and educational organization, to raise and distribute funds for seed related research.
The ASRF is managed as a separate non-profit organization under the guidance of the ASTA, with a nine person Board and approximately thirty current member companies. The ASRF founding Endowment from Seedsmen Walcott, Rohnert and Huey, is maintained as a principle sum of money. Research projects are funded by annual membership dues.
Basic research in seed science takes considerable investment in resources and time. Often, basic seed research cannot be justified and is therefore ignored by private seed companies. Public experiment stations do some basic research in the area of seed science, but funding and facilities are limited and often prioritized to other activities. ASRF encourages basic seed sciences by directly underwriting specific projects, thereby enhancing public information on seed growth and development.
- Scientific Advisory Council
- Vegetable & Flower Permanent Research Fund
- Corn Permanent Research Fund
- Soybean Permanent Research Fund
- Operation Student Connection
- Seed Research Summit (with ASTA and NCCPB)
- Roger Krueger Memorial Scholarship
Dr. Hiro Nonogaki, University of Oregon
Molecular mechanisms of seed germination and seedling establishment.
Dr. Richard Vierling, Indiana Crop Improvement Association
Construction of nanotechnological molecular units that may be applicable in seed research.
Dr. Susana Goggi, Iowa State University
Inherited physical and genetic changes in soybean lines in relation to stress factors.
Dr. William Tracy, University of Wisconsin, Madison
QTL modifiers of sugary corn endosperm to define relationships between kernel composition and germinations.
Dr. Alan Taylor, Cornell University
Nanobiotechnology particle use to increase seed coat permeability.
Dr. Gary Munkvold, Iowa State University
Pathogencity of seed-borne Fusarium fungi affecting seed quality.
Dr. Kent Bradford, University of California Davis
Methodology to assess seed quality in vegetable crops.
Dr. Ron Walcot, University of Georgia
Epidemiological study of Bacterial fruit blotch in watermelon.
Membership in ASRF is open to any company involved or interested in basic seed sciences.
Benefits include:
- First access to all research results and access to our research archive
- A voice in our research direction
- Involvement with our many activities
- An opportunity to help shape the future
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