This research was conducted to study the incidence of seed-borne fungi in stored sunflower seeds under ambient conditions as well as their influence on seed viability and vigour. Certified seeds, Quality Declared Seeds (QDS) and Farmer saved seeds (FSS) were stored for six months. Seed samples were taken every month testing for fungal infection percent (FIP), germination percentage (G%) and seedling vigour index (SVI). Eight fungal species namely as Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Alternaria padwickii, A. zinniae, Botrytis cinerea, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium vericillioides and Rhizopus arrihizus were identified. At the end of experiment, the maximum species infection percentage were recorded on F. vericillioides (14.39), B. cinerea (14.28) in FSS and the minimum by A. zinniae (1.83) with QDS. Maximum total fungal infection incidence was recorded with FSS (73.11%) and minimum with QDS (66.94%) and certified seeds (67.06%). The QDS recorded the highest G% (81.56) and certified seeds (81.33%), the maximum SVI (96.76) was in certified seeds and 95.69 (in QDS). The minimum G% (60.67) and SVI (65.98) were found in FSS. The highest G% and SVI were recorded in seeds with minimum FIP. These results suggest that, fungal infections may negatively affect the seed viability and vigour. For the first time, the incidence of seed-borne fungi in stored sunflower seeds have been determined in Tanzania.

Quality products are a main focus for manufacturers. Product users only determine a product is a quality product if it performs in operation to the user’s perceived standard. Product manufactures need to take a product lifecycle quality (PLQ) perspective of quality and not simply focus on manufacturing quality control, which is more accurately specification control. Manufacturing is the key phase where products take their physical form. There are increasing costs and decreasing risk of different physical quality strategies. The information provided using digital twins and virtual testing promises to be both low risk and cost and has the potential to predict what the customer will experience in operation by testing products passively with data and actively with simulation to destruction. Digital Twin Certified (DTC) is proposed as the methodology for accomplishing this. DTC will be especially important for the adoption of additive manufacturing.

Organizations can play a significant role in the advancement of Sustainable Development, and companies with Quality, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (QEOHS) certified management systems address the three Sustainability Dimensions (economic, environmental and social). This research aims to map the present level of engagement of those companies in contributing and reporting to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of The United Nations 2030 Agenda. The content of companies reports (available in web sites, by 31 December 2017) of a total of 235 Portuguese organizations with QEOHS certified management systems, was analyzed. The results show a moderate reporting of SDGs by those companies, with the top five being SDG 12 - Responsible consumption and production (23.8%), SDG 13 – Climate action (22.1%), SDG 09 - Industry, innovation, and infrastructure (21.3%), SDG 08 - Decent work and economic growth (20.0%) and SDG 17 - Partnerships for the goals (19.6%). The results of the statistical tests indicate that the communication of SDGs is more prominent in organizations (QEOHS) with higher business volume, that are members of the United Nations Global Compact Network Portugal, and that disclose their sustainability reports on their web site. This study can be useful for decision-makers that aim to support organizations to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals.