Calendar of Seed Preparation and Distribution of IWIN nurseries

• June, Year 1. Seed is planted in El Batan. Field plots are repeatedly treated with systemic fungicides, and harvested seed is disinfected with a sodium hypochlorite solution. Seed from each line is inspected by CIMMYT's Seed Health Unit (SHU) and approved for quarantine multiplication in Mexicali.
• July, Year 1. Nursery request forms are sent to IWIN cooperators. The global distribution list is finalized in January, Year 2.
• November, Year 1. Seed is sent by air from El Batan for quarantine multiplication in Mexicali. Mexicali is recognized by the Mexican Government (NOM-001-FITO-1995), the North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO), and the European Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) as a Karnal bunt-free area. Mexicali field plots are repeatedly treated with systemic fungicides, visually inspected, and sampled for more diagnostic pathogen testing.
  
• June-December, Year 2. Mexicali seed is harvested and returned to El Batan in sealed trucks. Internal seed from each line (>5,000 lines) is inspected by the SHU. Seed health certification is required before seed is cleaned, washed, treated, dried, and packaged.
• January-December, Year 3. Nursery shipments are dispatched by express air couriers, or air freight, to cooperators in more than 120 countries.
  
• January¬December, Year 4. Data are returned to CIMMYT-Mexico by IWIN cooperators, entered into the IWIS database, analyzed, and returned to cooperators on CD-ROM. They can also be made available in real time via web access (pending future application).