dr. SPC (Steven) Groot

dr. SPC (Steven) Groot

Externe medewerker

I’m a biologist studying the amazing world of seeds. Our team want to understand how seeds have evolved mechanisms to survive such a long time, without ability for repair of oxidative damage. Under dry conditions seeds are not able to repair damage because the necessary enzymes can’t be active. We study the role of not only temperature and moisture during seed ageing, but also of oxygen, as this molecule is the main trigger for seed deterioration.

The results from our seed research is translated in practical applications for farmers, genebanks and seed companies, who finance also part of our research. Together with Johan van Asbrouck, an experience seed technologist, I founded the International Seed Academy.

More information and publications by our team can be found on the Wageningen UR page on Seed technology and on ResearchGate