‘Seed conditioning’ has different meanings specific to context and geography. For example, for parasitic weed seeds it is the period after imbibition until they respond to germination stimulants. In this book, however, the term describes that part of the seed industry between plant breeders and growers.

This book is written by and for seed industry professionals. While not academic, its attraction to students of applied crop and seed science will be its description of industry practices: very much a book to read before applying for first employment in the seed industry. The major market for the book will be current seed industry staff, particularly those undergoing professional development.

Volume 1 is concerned with the management of seed enterprises: 37 chapters cover topics as diverse as the law, business finance, staffing, record keeping, packaging, sampling, testing, buildings and storage, and procurement. The arrangement of the text is logical and chapters are concise with comprehensive, detailed illustrations (e.g. a ‘seed conditioning building’ plan) and helpful practical items (e.g. sample forms to log seed receipt, etc).

The authors’ experience (and those who helped them) is distinctly USA, but with relevance to large seed company operation worldwide (private or state-run). It is not aimed at the ‘informal seed sector’, but may be helpful (even if some approaches are not appropriate). Volumes 2 and 3 in this series will cover the technology for seed conditioning, and detailed information on a crop-by-crop basis, respectively. The latter may be of especial utility to readers of Experimental Agriculture.