source: Farm and Food Report
Experts are inviting producers to give special consideration to the quality of the seed stock they plan to use in the spring, given the cool growing conditions in 2004 that resulted in delayed seeding and slow crop development.
“Much of this year’s crop was immature when impacted by the frosts in mid-August,” explains Dale Risula, an Integrated Cropping Management Specialist at Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization’s (SAFRR’s) Agriculture Knowledge Centre in Moose Jaw. “Consequently, seed quality could be adversely affected, and good quality seed may be in short supply for 2005. It is advisable to secure your seed supply as soon as possible and test for seed quality.”
With the weather not being as warm as usual in term of Growing Degree Days (GDD), crops were particularly vulnerable to frost in 2004, which can impact the quality of seed germination and seedling vigour.
“Research conducted at the University of Saskatchewan and elsewhere shows that frozen seed exhibits poor germination quality and poor vigour.” In Risula’s opinion, “seed that is likely to have suffered frost damage should be either tested before it is used, or producers should implement a seeding management program that will compensate for the lower performance of affected seed stock.”
Producer may wish to seed at a higher seeding rate than they normally would to compensate for poor germination and vigour. They may also wish to reduce seeding depth, as research has shown that seeding deeply can have adverse effects on emergence.
“I would encourage producers who plan to use their own seed to verify the germination quality of their stock, using a Pre-Indicator Test for Germination,” said Risula. “This will ensure the seed is suitable for further tests at an accredited seed testing lab, where a satisfactory sample can also be tested for seed borne diseases such as Fusarium and Ascochyta blight.”
When purchasing seed, make sure to ask for a Certificate of Analysis from an accredited lab. Any seed sold as Canada Certified No. 1 will have one.
Growers who know that they are working with inferior quality seed as a result of tests will be able to make the necessary adjustments that will help keep their crop development program on track.
Instructions for the Pre-Indicator Test for Germination can be found online here.
Seed Quality For The 2005 Season
For more information, contact:
Dale Risula
Integrated Cropping Management Specialist
Agriculture Knowledge Centre
Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization
(306) 694-3714
Experts are inviting producers to give special consideration to the quality of the seed stock they plan to use in the spring, given the cool growing conditions in 2004 that resulted in delayed seeding and slow crop development.
“Much of this year’s crop was immature when impacted by the frosts in mid-August,” explains Dale Risula, an Integrated Cropping Management Specialist at Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization’s (SAFRR’s) Agriculture Knowledge Centre in Moose Jaw. “Consequently, seed quality could be adversely affected, and good quality seed may be in short supply for 2005. It is advisable to secure your seed supply as soon as possible and test for seed quality.”
With the weather not being as warm as usual in term of Growing Degree Days (GDD), crops were particularly vulnerable to frost in 2004, which can impact the quality of seed germination and seedling vigour.
“Research conducted at the University of Saskatchewan and elsewhere shows that frozen seed exhibits poor germination quality and poor vigour.” In Risula’s opinion, “seed that is likely to have suffered frost damage should be either tested before it is used, or producers should implement a seeding management program that will compensate for the lower performance of affected seed stock.”
Producer may wish to seed at a higher seeding rate than they normally would to compensate for poor germination and vigour. They may also wish to reduce seeding depth, as research has shown that seeding deeply can have adverse effects on emergence.
“I would encourage producers who plan to use their own seed to verify the germination quality of their stock, using a Pre-Indicator Test for Germination,” said Risula. “This will ensure the seed is suitable for further tests at an accredited seed testing lab, where a satisfactory sample can also be tested for seed borne diseases such as Fusarium and Ascochyta blight.”
When purchasing seed, make sure to ask for a Certificate of Analysis from an accredited lab. Any seed sold as Canada Certified No. 1 will have one.
Growers who know that they are working with inferior quality seed as a result of tests will be able to make the necessary adjustments that will help keep their crop development program on track.
Instructions for the Pre-Indicator Test for Germination can be found online here.
Seed Quality For The 2005 Season
For more information, contact:
Dale Risula
Integrated Cropping Management Specialist
Agriculture Knowledge Centre
Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization
(306) 694-3714
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