Innovative oxygen- and epigenetics-related assays and marker for Allium seed quality

The focus of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility of innovative diagnostic assays and molecular

marker assays for the improvement of salad onion and leek (Allium spp.) seed quality. The project

partners are Tozer Seeds Ltd (Cobham, UK), who sell Allium seeds in the UK and export worldwide, and

the Seed Science Lab at Royal Holloway University of London (RHUL, Perez/Steinbrecher/Leubner). This

multi-disciplinary team will provide a solution to the short shelf-life of seed, a particular issue for onion

seeds which are often damaged during storage/transport and thus subject to accelerated ageing.

Sowing of damaged seed results in reduced germination and poor seedling establishment, which causes

a reduction of healthy produce. Our collaboration aims to employ novel and innovative technologies to

deliver superb seed quality.