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

Google Scholar profile and publications.

• 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
• 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
• Mayton, H.; Amirkhani, M.; Loos, M.; Johnson, B.; Fike, J.; Johnson, C.; Myers, K.; Starr, J.; Bergstrom, G.C.; Taylor, A. 2022. Evaluation of Industrial Hemp Seed Treatments for Management of Damping-Off for Enhanced Stand Establishment. Agriculture 2022, 12, 591. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12050591
• Amirkhani, M.; Mayton, H.; Loos, M.; Taylor, 2023. A. Development of Superabsorbent Polymer (SAP) Seed Coating Technology to Enhance Germination and Stand Establishment in Red Clover Cover Crop. Agronomy 2023, 13, 438. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13020438
• Westbrook, A. S., Amirkhani, M., Taylor, A. G., Loos, M. T., Losey, J. E., & DiTommaso, A. 2023. Multi-Seed Zea Pellets (MSZP) for increasing agroecosystem biodiversity. Weed Science https://doi.org/10.1017/wsc.2023.5

• 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.