Dr. Steven P.C. Groot

Steven P.C. Groot is Senior Researcher at Wageningen University & Research. His PhD research on the role of the gibberellins and abscisic acid in seed development and germination, using tomato mutants deficient for these hormones, led to a PhD in agricultural sciences in 1987. After 10 years’ experience in plant breeding and plant physiology, he returned to seed science to guide a team of researchers, mainly performing research on seed physiology, seed technology and seeds for organic farming. Central research topics are the physiology of seed germination and seed priming, the mechanisms seeds establish to survive for a long time under dry conditions and the prevention of damage. For the latter he emphasised the role of oxygen in seed ageing and developed an alternative ageing treatment under high pressure oxygen. His present interest is also on the role of the seed microbiome in seedling establishment. Steven is co-founder of the International Seed Academy that provides seed technology training modules, mainly in South East Asia. He is member of the International Society of Seed Science, Vice-chair of the Seed Storage Committee of the International Seed Testing Association and part of the editorial board of the journal Seed Science and Technology.