High quality seed
The axiom of organic farming that only organic seed is to be used often contradicts with insufficient accessibility of high quality seed. Despite recent achievements, organic seed supply for spring wheat, spring triticale, field pea, beets, maize, white clover and a number of vegetable species is insufficient. This may be due to inadequate production and/or processing, poor quality or lack of seed in varieties with recognised agronomic traits for production in Denmark and needs further investigation. Genes of cultivated plants spread in time and space through pollen and seed dispersal, as well as through handling during transport and processing. To maintain the integrity of organic farming, the availability of organically produced GM-free seed of varieties adapted to organic production systems is of the utmost importance. Therefore, in order to elucidate the potential of recently developed knowledge-based technology for organic seed production in Denmark, it is proposed to undertake a multidisciplinary research approach for the production of high quality organic seed production.
One of the organic farming principles is to enhance diversity at all levels including bio-diversity at the field level and genetic diversity at the crop level. Growing species mixtures has the potential of increasing yield as well as increasing the yield stability. However, it is not yet quantified how production in species mixtures affects seed quality.
Near infrared spectroscopy technologies (NIRS/NITS) are fast and reliable calibrated methods used in determining seed quality. This technique has further been used for discrimination between kernels of different species and varieties. Kernel size and shape parameters contain information relevant for end-use quality. Automated Image Analysis has therefore become a promising analytical tool for the cereal industry.
Grain legumes have an important role in supplying high quality protein feed for monogastric animals and ruminants. The organic grain legume protein production in Denmark is challenged due to severe problems in seed production; soil borne root rot diseases in peas, seed borne anthracnose and grey mould in lupines and Ascochyta blight in faba beans.
Common bunt (Tilletia tritici) is a potential serious seed borne disease in organic wheat and triticale. Seed health analysis have shown that T. tritici occurs relative commonly on organic seed and there is a need for identifying resistant varieties that can be used in integrated production systems.
Our hypothesis is that elucidating the potential of recently developed knowledge-based technologies on the exploitation of genetic diversity, the production in crop mixtures, the improvement of seed quality by utilising new integrated methods in seed technology will improve the supply of high quality organic seed for organic farming to remain independent and viable.
Due to the logistic nature of seed production, seed movements across borders and the future introduction of GM-crops in European farming systems, the project aims at establishing a platform for international scientific collaboration in order to maintain the integrity in organic farming - by the production of high quality, GMO-free seed.
Project title
High Quality Seed - Maintaining Integrity in Organic Farming (SEED)
Project leader
Birte Boelt, Head of research unit, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Aarhus, Dept. of Genetics and Biotechnology, Research Centre Flakkebjerg, DK-4200 Slagelse, Denmark. Phone: +45 8999 3625. Fax: +45 8999 3501. E-mail: Birte.Boelt@agrsci.dk
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