Internal control of MLN-free seed production: Experience of Kenya Seed Company Ltd.

USAID-funded MLN Diagnostics and Management project annual review and planning meeting 18-19 October, 2016- CIMMYT, Nairobi

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Internal Control of MLN-free seed Production: Experience of Kenya Seed Company Ltd

Eric Maghas Tegei

Quality Assurance Manager

Kenya Seed Company Ltd , Kitale, Kenya

a) About Kenya Seed Company Limited

Established in 1956 by a group of farmers to promote the use of improved strains of pasture seed, developed

by the then National Agricultural Research Station, now KALRO, with its headquarters in Kitale.

Converted to a Public liability Company in 1960. It is currently a state corporation under the Ministry of

Agriculture

Introduced hybrid seed maize production in 1962 and seed wheat in 1971.

Expanded range of products to over 60 certified seed varieties of maize, wheat, pasture, horticulture, sorghum,

sunflower and indigenous vegetables suitable for different agro-ecological zones in the region

It controls over 80% of the seed maize production in Kenya making it a key player in the Government strategy

on food Security.

VISION

The preferred supplier of Top Quality Certified Seed in Africa

MISSION

To avail Top Quality Certified Seed competitively through focused research, development and value addition to

the satisfaction of stakeholders

Stakeholders Dinner . 28th June 2013 2

USAID-funded MLN Diagnostics and Management project annual review and planning meeting 18-19 October, 2016-

CIMMYT, Nairobi

INTRODUCTION


b) Industry regulation

Governed by:

The seeds and Plant varieties Act, Cap 326

Plant protection Act, Cap 324

International instruments such as ISTA, UPOV, OECD seed schemes as implemented by

Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services (KEPHIS).

The company has an Internal Quality function whose role is to ensure product compliance

to regulatory requirements and customer expectations. It is an ISTA member and

participates in quarterly proficiency testing, meetings and forums

Currently building capacity for ISTA accreditation, authorization to carry out national seed

certification


INTRODUCTION…….


Maize is the most important staple

Per capita consumption is 98 kgs, FAO 2014

Though the country has been producing maize for long, average yields remain a miserly 8

x 90 kg bags per acre

Among reasons for low productivity are:

Poor quality seed/use of farm saved seed or counterfeits; endemic countries?

Low soil fertility

Lack of use of improved agronomic practices

Drought

Weather; poor rains distribution

Crop pests and Diseases: Maize Lethal Lecrosis (MLN)


MAIZE PRODUCTION IN KENYA



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Years

Maize Production and Population Increase

Population (Millions)

Yield Kg/acre

Yield Mt/Ha

MAIZE PRODUCTION IN KENYA…….


MLN is a viral disease caused by combined infection of Maize with Maize Chlorotic Mottle Virus (MCMV)

and any of the Potyviruses infecting cereals especially Sugarcane Mosaic Virus (SCMV)

First reported in Kenya in September 2011 and has since been reported in Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda,

D.R Congo and Ethiopia

Industry reaction then:

Panic

Identification of the root cause

Advise to farmers not to use certified seed

Scientific finding:

It was however discovered that all maize seed in the region were susceptible

Yield losses ranged between 30-100%


MAIZE MAIZE LETHAL NECROSIS DISEASE (MLN)


Treatment of maize seed with Systemic pesticides i.e Gaucho (Imidacroprid) and Cruiser

(Thiamethoxam) as well as fungicides i.e Maxim and Royalcarp

Pesticide application in the seed fields to contain the vectors that spread the disease i.e

Thunder

Seed crop rotation in irrigation facilities that were installed to enhance seed production

Participation in screening of hybrids for MLN-tolerance; H12ML & H13ML

Multi-Sector programs to combat the disease: Come up with strategies, disseminate

information/training to farmers

Surveillance and reporting for appropriate action

Cost increase by 155% (running to millions of money)

Basis:

Disease transmission is by insects and mechanical means

Seed transmission low (estimated probability of 0.003%).


INDUSTRY STRATEGIES ADOPTED BY KENYA SEED TO COMBAT MLN


Applied to local Export and Imports until policy change in September 2014

MLN is now treated as a regulated non-quarantine disease in Kenya.

All seed lots are sampled and screened by KEPHIS Plant Health labs for the two

viruses.

Only seed lots that test negative for both viruses are processed and marketed.


LABORATORY DIAGNOSTICS OF MLN



=> A DNA based technology that permits a small sample of target nucleic acid to be copied multiple times for analysis

=>Is sensitive, reliable, fast, and highly versatile

=>The disadvantage of PCR is that it requires sophisticated equipment like thermocycler which is expensive,

PCR Technique

Serological method.

This technique is based on the recognition of antigens with antibodies produced to them.

ELISA allows for qualitative and quantitative analysis, high throughput, and high sensitivity

Enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA)

=>Based on immunochromatography using specific antibodies.

=>The assay requires a minimum of preparation and reaches results within a few minutes.

Lateral Flow Assay

Common diagnostic Methods available


Introduced by KEPHIS as a laboratory diagnostic of MLN for Local and imported seed in

2013.

Government policy review following persistent MLN outbreak led to introduction of testing of

all seed lots for the two MLN viruses in October 2014.

MLN is now treated as a regulated non-quarantine disease in Kenya

Only seed lots screened and found to be free from the viruses are approved for use as

seed.

Cost increase by 13%


PCR MLN LABORATORY TESTING BY KEPHIS


2015/2016 loss of over Kshs 112M (USD 1.12)


RESULTS OF PCR MLN LABORATORY TESTING BY KEPHIS

SEASON/YEAR LOTS TESTED LOTS THAT TESTED -VE LOTS THAT TESTED +VE

2014-2015 147 147 0

2015-2016 1102 1067 35

2016-2017 147 147 0


Introduced this year as an internal MLN control measure in collaboration with CIMMYT and

Crop Nutrition.

The main objective is to prevent infected fields from being blended with non-infected fields

Entails scouting for vectors and disease symptoms

250 MCMV Agristrips bought in May 2016

Production field staff and Quality assurance analysts and samplers were trained on

scouting for disease symptoms and rapid field diagnostic testing for MCMV in June 2016.

Preliminary scouting consideration are:

Knowing normal appearance of the seed crop

Consider possible agents of the problem

Review cultural practices

Review environmental conditions


INTERNAL FIELD DIAGNOSTIC OF MLN


General screening-To check for the presence of the viruses.

Symptomatic plants:

i. Chlorotic

ii. Mottled

iii. Stunted


SAMPLING



MCMV

MSV MLN

SCMV



Early infection Late attack

SCMV

MCMV SCMV+ MCMV


1. Take 0.15 g of plant material and add 3mls of buffer (1:20)

2. Homogenize the sample(Can use the pen top for this)

3. Insert the Agristrip (From the sample section).Don't insert it deeply into the extract. Let the

strip pick the sap slowly.

4. Interpret results


IMMUNOSTRIP TESTING; BIOREBA MODIFIED PROTOCOL


Started with testing of seed fields that showed symptoms of MLN infection:

-114.5 acres of first generation/commercial seed tested positive for MCMV

-5.32 acres of parental lines tested positive for MCMV

In consultation with the regulator, KEPHIS, the 92 acres of CIG were rejected from

being processed further as seed.


RESULTS OF MLN FIELD DIAGNOSTIC TESTING


Resource constraints.

Lead time of availing seed: Must test for MLND before processing

Knowledge about the disease and how to combat

Infrastructure for testing

Marketing; perception of seed transmission


CHALLENGES


Subject all seed fields to MLN field diagnostic testing for both MCMV and SCMV

Enhance field surveillance for vectors and disease symptoms

Enhance training

Seek for laboratory infrastructure and consumable donor support

Partnership and advisory on new findings

Commercialise MLN resistant varieties


NEXT STEPS


Ministry of Agriculture and donor partners

Kenya Seed Management and staff

CIMMYT team

Crop Nutrition Services and Bioreba

KEPHIS

KALRO Scientists


ACKNOWLEGEMENT



THANK YOU

Internal control of MLN-free seed production: Experience of Kenya Seed Company Ltd.

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Transcript of Internal control of MLN-free seed production: Experience of Kenya Seed Company Ltd.