SeedQuest Technology - from - INCOTEC - Lettuce priming page 4

Seed Health And Refinement Program = S.H.A.R.P.

1. In 1998 Incotec -USA began a new program that was designed to provide new and better primings for use with especially difficult varieties. A similar program had been in place in Holland for several years, so we built our program using resources developed there.

2. The program was an immediate success, with the new primings providing excellent performance effects and good storability. Within months of starting the program we expanded it to include all lettuce varieties. This program has the acronym of S.H.A.R.P. for Seed Health And Refinement Program.

3. What is SHARP? The foundation of SHARP is based on the introduction of new primings that are milder and yet more effective than those previously in use. SHARP is the program that manages the day-to-day selection of primings and that provides us with a set of resources for checking the quality of that primed seed and to rapidly introduce new primings as they are developed.

4. The key procedures in SHARP are:

a. New primings designed to meet the needs of a variety of lettuce types.

b.. A test designed to give us an estimate of storability – under good storage conditions.

c. A test designed to detect both germination and vigor problems – for seed that has been stored in less than optimal conditions.

d. Field trials to provide information on how different primings perform under various field conditions. This includes hot weather trials (summer) and in-season trials in the Yuma area. These trials are used evaluate new primings as well as to check on the storability of seed (carryover).

5. Our program has evolved much since it was first introduced and now has taken on a unique USA character. However, we continue to be supported by our colleagues in Holland as they continue to provide us with an unmatched resource of innovative new primings and improved procedures for quality testing.