Seed quality and seed testing
Germination testing
Hannaford seed testing lab
Many growers apply a seed treatment to their seed before assessing the quality of the seed. This practice has potential risks because once treated, seed cannot be sold as grain for human or animal consumption.
At the very least growers should test the germination of their seed before applying a seed treatment. Seed with low germination results can produce crops with patchy and inconsistent seedling emergence, resulting in reduced crop yield. If the germination percentage of the seed is not known, it is impossible to calculate an adequate sowing rate. When germination percentage is poor, some growers may want to consider selling the seed as grain and sourcing alternative seed supplies for the coming season. However, if the seed has already been treated, this is not an option.
Many growers are now assessing their seed for 1000 seed weight, to determine sowing rates that will provide an optimum number of plants per square metre. In this situation germination percentage is crucial for determining the correct sowing rate.
In recognizing the importance of testing for germination, Hannaford offers its customers a free seed germination testing service. Your local Hannaford Seed Protection Specialists can supply these free test kits.
Managing insects in stored seed
Insects of stored seed (e.g. lesser grain borer, granary weevil) can pose another threat to the quality of seed. Heavy insect infestations can reduce the germination rates of seed dramatically, and the economic cost caused by that infestation is worse if money has already been outlayed for seed treatment.
Most of the seed treatments in the Hannaford range contain an insecticide to manage insects of stored seed, the notable exception being Maxiflo®. All Hannaford seed treatment products that contain an insecticide provide protection for up to nine months. This is contingent on there being only a small initial population of insects and on good silo hygiene. Silos used for storing seed need to be clean, dry and sealed to prevent the re-introduction of insects. Where longer-term seed storage is required or where the insect population is high, the use of silo fumigants is recommended.
Disease testing
"Which seed treatment should I apply to my seed?" is a question that Hannaford Seed Protection Specialists are often asked. The answer lies within the genetics (variety) and the environment of the crop from which the seed was harvested. The variety of a crop will determine its level of resistance or tolerance to many diseases. If the crop was exposed to any seed-borne diseases during the growing season there is a strong chance these diseases may be carried over in, or on the seed. Smuts and bunt are two well known seed-borne fungal diseases that can be carried over in this way.
There are many seed tests available that can assist in determining the presence of seed borne diseases. In some situations where high levels of disease are detected in seed, applying a seed treatment that controls that disease may be pointless, for example where high levels (greater than 5%) of loose smut are detected. When disease levels are high, it is recommended that the infected seed be discarded and replaced with new, clean seed.
Hannaford seed testing services
Hannaford offers its customers complimentary germination tests. There are a variety of other tests available, including loose smut, 1000 seed weight, ascochyta, botrytis, anthracnose, CMV and bacterial blight. Your local Hannaford Seed Protection Specialist can supply the appropriate test kits.
