ISHS Acta Horticulturae 83: Symposium on Seed Problems in Horticulture
THE PROBLEMS OF SEED PRODUCTION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES |
| Author: | R. A.T. George |
| Abstract:
A procedure for the evaluation of a country's seed situation is given. Points for consideration before formulating seed improvement programmes are enumerated under headings of crops, cultivars, seed production (sources, husbandry, procedures, expertise, techniques and yield), processing, storage, marketing, legislation and policy. The lack of crop statistics, and conflicting influences on sowing rates encountered when estimating a country's seed requirements are discussed. There is a need to identify satisfactory cultivars by organising impartial national trials before starting improvement programmes. However, early improvement before sufficient evidence is obtained from trials, can be an initial means of manpower training. It is important to encourage efficient roguing and isolation as well as adopting practices such as rotation, progeny testing and discard strip techniques. The production of high quality basic seed will be a precursor to good commercial seed. Constraints affecting mechanical harvesting, such as furrow irrigation, should be superceded. The adoption of new techniques must be accelerated because of the loss of labour to other industries. There is a need for improved processing and storage facilities and accommodation to store seed which would be required in the event of crop disasters. Sufficient and suitable manpower should be available to undertake seed production programmes. This can be helped by the inclusion of seed topics in all curricula and teaching by expatriate experts. Additional experience can be gained by spending training periods in countries where seed production is better developed. | |
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) | |
