Seed meets technology Amphasys Thumbnail sprouting seed

Amphasys Speaking at Seed Meets Technology

Seed Meets Technology

Seed meets Technology is an event where the focus is on innovative seed technology, variety assortment and adding value to horticultural seed. The initiators, together with other companies associated with the seed industry, want to strengthen the program of open days in week 39 with themes such as seed treatment, phenotyping, seed processing equipment, breeding support, sustainable crop protection and cultivation systems. Participants are required to actually demonstrate new products or services in the exhibition hall or on the demo field. The event “Seed meets technology” will take place from Tuesday, September 27, 2022 to Thursday, 29 September 2022 in Zwaagdijk, Netherlands.

Lecture on "How to Harness Pollen Information to Enhance Plant Breeding and Seed Production Efficiency"

On September, 27, 2PM Dr. Georg Roell will hold a lecture on the importance of pollen quality monitoring.

Abstract

The impacts of climate change with heat, drought and extreme weather conditions put even more pressure on plant breeding and seed production activities which are struggling already with higher yields and disease resistance. Pollen information plays therefore an important role to detect impacts caused by environmental stress, select bad pollinator lines in breeding or secure efficient hybrid seed production.

Pollen viability, pollen amount and pollen shed dynamics provide important information in breeding and seed production as they can be indicators for stress and low performance. Maximizing pollen viability and quantity is therefore an important goal and essential to produce seeds in an efficient way.

Successful pollination is directly linked to the yield in seed production. Having a tool for rapid detection of pollination issues helps to exclude weak pollinating genotypes or adapt the seed production conditions.

In his lecture, Dr. Georg Roell talks about how the information retrieved from pollen quality measurements improves breeding and makes seed production more efficient. He showcases the latest product innovations, ranging from a new lab-based instrument to the first fully portable pollen analyzer for in-field pollen analysis and explains, how pollen quality monitoring can create value, save costs and increase yield.

Discover: 

  1. how the new generation of Amphasys instruments simplifies pollen analysis
  2. practical applications of the technology from research to seed production
  3. how Amphasys enables systematical pollen viability screening
Portrait of Georg Roell

Dr. Georg Roell

Product Manager

Picture of the new Ampha Z40 Pollen Analyzer

Introducing the new Ampha Z40 Pollen Analyzer

Pollen Cell Analysis with the Ampha Z40

The Ampha Z40 is a new high-end laboratory instrument for pollen analysis and succeeds the proven Ampha Z32.

It covers all needs for efficient pollen analysis from plant breeding to seed production. An innovative technological platform ensures accurate analysis of pollen viability and pollen concentration in just one measurement.

Picture of Ampha Z40 Pollen Analyzer in the laboratory

Pollen Analysis: Universal, Efficient and Flexible

Universal

Measure pollen of all crops: We provide guidelines for more than 250 species. In addition, developmental stages of microspores can be identified for a more efficient DH (doubled haploid) production.

Efficient

The Ampha Z40 relies on a standardized method to provide accurate pollen information for use along the whole process from variety development and line selection to commercial seed production.

Flexible

The Ampha Z40 offers full flexibility in settings and gating strategy to cover all pollen research tasks. It allows the development of own sampling and measurement protocols.

Teaser for Asian Solanaceous Round Table Conference

Amphasys Speaking at Solanaceous Round Table Conference

The Asian Solanaceous Round Table Conference

The Asia and Pacific Seed Association and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research are organizing the Asian Solanaceous Round Table (ASRT), a conference bringing together experts in solanaceous breeding and research with the goal to overcome Solanum, Capsicum productivity challenges in Asia. The conference will be held in Bangalore, India, from May 11 to 13, 2022.

Breeding for Heat Tolerance using the Amphasys Pollen Analyzer

Viable pollen is crucial for obtaining high fruit and seed yield. However, facing global climate change pollen development of solanaceous plants is highly affected by abiotic stresses, such as heat, drought, and radiation. One approach to solving this problem lies in breeding more heat-tolerant lines.

Because of his vast experience in the field of pollen development, Dr. Darío Sanchez has been invited to speak about phenotyping lines for pollen viability. 

He will present practical application examples for monitoring pollen quality with Amphasys’s Impedance Flow Cytometer. In addition, he will explain how the information provided by the Ampha P20 Pollen Analyzer can be used along all stages from early research in plant breeding up to commercial seed production.

Portrait of Dr. Dario Sanchez Castro

Dr. Darío Sánchez

Regional Sales Manager

Flyer of Amphasys being at Seed Central Innovator Showcase 2022

Amphasys at 6th Seed Central’s Innovator Showcase

Because Pollen Quality Matters!

Seed Central’s Innovator Showcase is a joint event by Seed Central, UC Davis Innovation Institute for Food & Health, UC Davis Microbiome Special Research Program and UC Davis Venture Catalyst.

The event offers a platform to innovative companies and startup’s working in the seed, agricultural, agbiotech, microbiome and food/health sector.

Amphasys is excited to participate with a 3 minute pitch on January 27th and an in-depth online company visit on February 3rd. If you did not have the chance to attend these events live, please watch the recordings below.

Pitch - Why Pollen Quality Matters

Play Video about Front picture of a 3 min pitch

Virtual Company Visit- Why Pollen Quality Matters

Play Video about Amphasys virtual Company visit invitation
Picture of the Amphasys Ampha P20 Pollen Analyzer

Ampha P20 Among Seed World’s “10 Most Innovative Products of 2021”

Recognition for Innovative Pollen Analysis Technology

Seed World, the U.S. magazine and online platform for the seed industry covers news, issues, and events of interest to plant breeders and seed industry professionals.

Among many other applicants from across the seed industry, Amphasys’ new Ampha P20 Pollen Analyzer was recently chosen to gain the inaugural honor of being named one of Seed World’s 10 Most Innovative Products of 2021.

Innovative products of numerous participants were evaluated by the editors of the Seed World group according to the following criteria:

  • – Related to seed
  • – Commercial launch between Nov. 1, 2020 and Nov. 1, 2021
  • – Is unique and a potential game-changer for the sector it impacts
  • – Market potential (given its sector)
  • – Impact on grower/ROI
  • – Societal Impact
  • – Scalability
  • – Overall innovative qualities
Picture of Ampha P20 Pollen Analyzer in wheat field

The whole team at Amphasys is honored to receive this award. It recognizes outstanding product development and honors the extraordinary efforts of the whole team. Our mission is to unlock the full potential of cellular applications by providing innovative, simple, and mobile cell analysis solutions. Winning this award shows us that we are on the right track.

About the Winner

Pollen Cell Analysis With the Ampha P20

The Ampha P20 is the first fully portable and autonomous pollen analyzer for on-site measurements: in the field and in the greenhouse. It is the optimal device for systematical screening for phenotyping and routine quality control. With dedicated, crop-specific chips we simplify the measurement and data analysis in an unprecedented way.

  • new crop-specific microfluidic chips
  • fully automated data analysis
  • easy handling for routine measurements and systematical screening
Doubled_haploid_Technology_book

Applications of Impedance Flow Cytometry in Doubled Haploid Technology

Doubled Haploid Technology Volume 3 - by Springer Protocols

Doubled haploid (DH) technology is a very convenient approach in plant breeding to save a considerable amount of time, and the corresponding costs, to produce pure, fully homozygous parental lines, essential for large-scale production of hybrid seed. This is the main reason why it is widely used in private companies and academia to produce homozygous individuals. 

The new “Doubled Haploid Technology” Volume 3 by Springer Protocols compiles the knowledge of experts in the production of DHs in different species.

The book features a chapter on “Applications of Impedance Flow Cytometry in Doubled Haploid Technology”. In this chapter concepts for identifying critical success factors in a DH protocol are presented. It also shows how an early microspore response can be monitored by simple impedance flow cytometry and used to optimize a DH protocol based on androgenesis.

Get the book on Springer.

Invitación para la visita virtual

Visita virtual en Español – Porque la calidad del polen ¡importa!

Porque la qualidad del polen ¡importa!

En esta sesión del Dr. Gorka Santos habla de los aspectos fundamentales del control de la calidad del polen de diferentes especies. Explica cómo el control de la calidad del polen puede crear valor, ahorrar costes y aumentar el rendimiento. Descubra por qué:

– La tecnología de Amphasys va más allá de la viabilidad del polen. Averigüe una serie de aplicaciones prácticas

– Caracterizar y optimizar la cadena de suministro de polen tiene el potencial de aumentar el rendimiento de la producción de semillas

– La validación de los protocolos de almacenamiento de polen es esencial para garantizar una calidad constante del mismo.

– El control estandarizado para el envío y el comercio de polen es fundamental.

Si desea conocer el importante papel de la calidad del polen en el cultivo de plantas y la producción de semillas, vea la grabación de nuestro seminario web

Because Pollen Quality Matters!

  • In 2020 Amphasys has organized a series of sessions on the importance of pollen quality monitoring. This ‘Virtual Amphacademy’ was a huge success and enabled us to reach an international audience of experts and researchers engaged in plant breeding and seed production.

Based on our participants’ feedback and with an increasing customer base in Latin America, we have decided to organize our first webinar in Spanish.

Use this link, to watch a recording of the English version of our webinar.

Nominated for the Green Business Award 2021

Amphasys Nominated for Green Business Award

Profitability and sustainable action do not conflict. The companies nominated for the “Green Business Award” are shaping the entrepreneurial world of tomorrow with a pioneering spirit and passion.
They are successful in the market and raise awareness for ecological solutions.

About the "Green Business Award"

The “Green Business Award” honours innovative companies that combine economic success with ecological impact. A unique selection process via national business associations and environmental organisations guarantees that the most convincing solutions are sought out each year.

With the “Green Business Award” among other formats, “Green Business Switzerland” focuses on the positive connection between entrepreneurial success and sustainable action. Behind this forward-looking cooperation of key players from business and environmental protection are, among others, the FOEN, economiesuisse, öbu, Pusch, Swissmem, the Swiss Environmental Foundation and WWF
Switzerland. [1]

Because Amphasys is Part of the Solution!

If we want to preserve our planet for future generations, business must be part of the solution!

Amphasys enables its customers in agriculture and food production to reduce energy consumption, production area and required arable land by up to 20%. More than 100 customers, e.g. BASF, Bayer, Corteva, KWS, Syngenta and many universities, already rely on our technology.

Our cytometer analyses the quality (“viability”) of individual cells. It is the only device that is portable, fast and provides all the detailed information needed, at an excellent price-performance ratio. This makes it a breakthrough technology for many applications directly in the field or in production, for which there is no other solution today.

We are honored to be nominated for this important award and eagerly await July 2, 2021 – when the finalists will be announced.

[1] Source: Green Business Switzerland. “Green Business Award”, Media Release, 20.04.2021 

A picture of beautiful apple blossoms

Apple Pollen Viability Analysis

The Important Role of Pollen in Apple Production

Apple pollen viability plays a crucial role in apple production. Viable pollen is a basic requirement for successful pollination and therefore directly influences fruit formation and quality.

The viability of pollen varies throughout the day and can be negatively impacted by many external factors such as heat, drought or the application of pesticides.  Therefore, monitoring apple pollen viability is indispensable to ensure an optimal process – from pollen collection up to artificial pollination.

Apples on tree
Picture of an apple orchard

Main Fields of Application

Monitoring pollen viability with the Ampha Z32 Impedance Flow Cytometer allows rapid and accurate pollen viability testing with minimal sample preparation. Main fields of application are:

  •  – Characterization of germplasm for pollen viability and quantity
  •  – Optimization and control of pollen harvest and storage
  •  – Control of pollen quality before supplemental pollination
  •  – Assessment of the impact of artificial pollination process on pollen viability
A picture of an apple pollen viability measurement with the Ampha Z32 Pollen Analyzer

The figure shows the result of a measurement of an apple pollen sample with the Ampha Z32. Before measuring, the pollen was stored at -20°C for 12 months. Before suspension in the measurement buffer, dehydrated stored pollen is rehydrated in a moist chamber.

Apple Pollen Application Note

Download our application note, or contact us for a free consultation offer!

a picture of hazelnut catkins shedding pollenins

New Study on Hazelnut Pollen Phenotyping Using the Pollen Analyzer

Plant Phenotyping - The Science of Crop Characterization

Modern plant phenotyping is a rapidly emerging research area concerned with the quantitative measurement of the structural and functional properties of plants. It provides essential information to plant breeders and crop management when selecting the best genotypes that will become future cultivars well-adapted to different environments [1].

Non-destructive high-throughput methods have replaced tedious classical assays, now generating large amount of multiparametric data in a very short time. One example used for pollen phenotyping is our Ampha Z32 Pollen Analyzer, capable of analyzing thousands of pollen grains in just a few seconds.

Impedance Flow Cytometry Reveals Large Differences in Hazelnut Pollen Sterility

In a recent study, the Ampha Z32 Pollen Analyzer was used to systematically investigate two important aspects of hazelnut biology: Pollen viability and pollen sterility. Those parameters were assessed in 33 cultivars used for hazelnut production and compared to wild genotypes. The measurements allowed the researchers to reliably classify pollen grains into viable, dead and sterile in a high throughput. Interestingly, both the pollen viability and the degree of sterility were strongly cultivar-specific, and both parameters varied over a surprisingly wide range. Importantly, only a small amount of dead pollen was observed. This suggests that pollen sterility is a key determinant of pollen quality in hazelnut, and therefore deserves particular attention when selecting suitable pollinators.

Congratulations to Lorenzo Ascari and his team for this impressive work and for demonstrating the power and potential of Impedance Flow Cytometry in plant science.

If you are interested in reading the full article, please click on the button below.