The majority of the members were in favor of a continued discussion of the possible information of a Federation of Agricultural Sciences, but little else. The meeting was called to order by Vice Chairman Tom Mueller. A sign-up sheet was passed around and introductions were made. He stated that there will be a meeting on the Sunday preceding the 1997 WSSA annual meeting to discuss the findings of a project to identity crop damage from SU herbicides. At present, DuPont assesses plant damage using air pollution effects on vegetation standards.
Damage equals the dose that creates a response that lowers crop value.
A biological approach and an analytical approach are both to be undertaken. Screening, contamination, quantitation and validation methods are being developed. Immunoassay kits are being developed and are available from DuPont for their products. Dr. Ike Sewell, Dean of Agriculture at the University of Tennessee, was introduced by Tom Mueller to provide the members with a Welcome and with guidance concerning the development of a new project proposal He discussed the need to show interdependence among the universities to carry out cooperative research and suggested that we begin immediately. Tom Mueller bravely agreed to serve as Chairman of the Writing Committee for the new project.