Program released for International Seed Science Conference at Kings Park
Keynote speakers include presenters from the Australian PlantBank, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, INRAE and Xinjiang Agricultural University.
Seed science will be in the spotlight in September as the International Society for Seed Science Conference (ISSS 2025) comes to Fraser’s Reception Centre in Kings Park from 15 – 19 September.
Organised by Kings Park Science, this year’s Conference will bring together leading minds from around the world to explore the theme “Synergies in Seed Science” - fostering collaboration in research, education, and innovation across the seed science community.
Global experts will descend on Kings Park, with the program for the five-day conference announced.
Keynote speakers include presenters from the Australian PlantBank, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, INRAE and Xinjiang Agricultural University, with topics spanning cryopreservation techniques, image-based machine learning for seed quality assessment, seed viability under stress, and adaptation strategies of plants in arid environments.
Plenary sessions will highlight real-world applications of seed science - from breakthroughs in seed dormancy and germination for large-scale ecological restoration, to innovations in food crop resilience and climate-smart agriculture.
More than 110 speakers will be part of the scientific program, with the themes including:
- Seed Developmental Biology
- Seed Dispersal and Predation
- Seed Banks and Soil Seed Bank Dynamics
- Seed Dormancy and Germination
- Seed Conservation and Gene Bank Management
- Seeds and Society: Utilisation and Policy
Attendees will also have the chance to participate in exclusive hands-on workshops and field trips where they will learn about new seed technologies and explore the diverse landscapes of south-west Western Australia.
Conference organiser David Merritt said the event would inspire seed scientists, ecologists, conservationists, restoration practitioners, land managers and conservation policy makers.
“Hosting the ISSS Conference is an outstanding opportunity to showcase Western Australian science and emphasise the vital role of seeds in sustainable agriculture, healthy ecosystems, and biodiversity."
The full program can be viewed at isss2025.com.au
The conference runs from 15 – 19 September and registrations close 12 August 2025.
ISSS 2025 is proudly brought to life by Kings Park and Botanic Garden and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, and supported by Business Events Perth.
