Alan Taylor

Research ranges from applied aspects of seed technology to more fundamental aspects of seed biology.

Research is focused on post-harvest aspects of seeds with emphasis on coating technologies, and seed treatments. Seed treatments include chemical and biological methods to protect seeds and seedlings from insects and diseases. Laboratory-scale coating equipment is used in this program including film coating, rotary pan technology and low volume application. Additional projects include the study of seed coat permeability in relation to systemic seed treatments. Seed investigations on vegetable crop, hemp, and agronomic seeds.

Selected Journal Publications

• Duclos, D. V., C. O. Altobello and A. G. Taylor. 2014. Investigating seed dormancy in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.): Elucidating the effect of temperature regimes and plant hormones on embryo dormancy. Industrial Crops and Products: 58, 148-159.
• Wilson, R. G., S. B. Orloff and A. G. Taylor. 2014. Evaluation of insecticides and application methods to protect onions from onion maggot, Delia antiqua and seedcorn maggot, Delia platura, damage. Crop Protection: 67, 102-108.
• Sikhao, P., A. G. Taylor, E. T. Marino, C. M. Catranis and B. Siri. 2015. Development of seed agglomeration technology using lettuce and tomato as model vegetable crop seeds. Scientia Horticulturae: 184, 85-92.
• Mohler, C.L., A. G. Taylor, A. DiTommaso, R. R. Hahn and R. R. Bellinder. 2018. Effects of incorporated rye and hairy vetch cover crop residue on the persistence of weeds in the soil. Weed Science. 66(3), 379-385.   https://doi.org/10.1017/wsc.2017.80
• Wilson, H.T, Amirkhani M and Taylor A. G. 2018 Evaluation of gelatin as a biostimulant seed treatment to improve plant performance. Front. Plant Sci. 9:1006.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2018.01006
• Yang, D., S. A. G. Avelar, A. G. Taylor. 2018. Systemic seed treatment uptake during imbibition by corn and soybean. Crop Science: 58, 2063-2070. https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2018.01.0004
• Amirkhani, M., Mayton, H.S., Netravali, A.N. and Taylor, A.G. 2019. A seed coating delivery system for bio-based biostimulants to enhance plant growth. Sustainability  11, 5304. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11195304
• Afzal, I.; Javed, T.; Amirkhani, M. and Taylor, A.G. 2020. Modern Seed Technology: Seed Coating Delivery Systems for Enhancing Seed and Crop Performance. Agriculture, 10, 526. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture10110526
• Taylor, A.G. 2020. Seed storage, germination, quality and enhancements. In The Physiology of Vegetable Crops. 2nd edition. Ed: H.C. Wien and H. Stutzel. CAB International: Wallingford, England; 2020; pp 1-30.
• Wang, Z., Amirkhani, M., Avelar, S.A., Yang, D. and Taylor, A.G. 2020. Systemic uptake of fluorescent tracers by soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) seed and seedlings. Agriculture 10, 248. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture10060248

• Invited guest editor of a Special Issue on Modern Seed Technology, MDPI 2020.
• Leadership, dedication and service to the New York State Seed Testing Laboratory (2017) CALS
• Appreciation letter for dedicated leadership of the NYS Seed Testing Lab (2016) NYS Dept of Ag and Mkts from Richard Ball, Commissioner of Agriculture
• Dedication plaque "For your dedicated research of seed treatment (2016) Atlantic Seed Association
• Best Paper (2013) AAIC (Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops)
• Seed Science Award (2003) Crop Science Society of America

Extension/Outreach

Responsible for Seed Technology in CALS with emphasis on post-harvest aspects including seed treatments, seed quality and storage of vegetable crops and hemp. Provide a resource for CCE, NYS vegetable and hemp growers, and NYS affiliated seed companies. Develop program for the annual Cornell Seed Conference for the New York State seed industry. Co-host the Cornell Seed Growers Field days for NYS seed producers. Speaker at annual Cornell Hemp Field Days. In addition, formed the NYS hemp seed producer and growers advisory committee, and initiated Twitter account Cornell-Hemp Seed Technology@HempSeedTech1. 

Study of the principles and practices involved in seed production, conditioning, storage, quality management and stand establishment. Information is applicable to various kinds of agricultural and horticultural seeds. There will be a special field trip and lab on industrial hemp. Hands-on laboratory experience with exposure to the seed industry.