Heirloom cabbage, valued for its rich flavor, genetic diversity, and adaptability, is a staple in organic and sustainable farming systems. The study focused on comparing the impact of various crop management practices, including conventional, organic, and integrated systems, on the production of high-quality seeds.
On-farm seed production is the practice of farmers producing, saving, and disseminating seeds directly from their own crops. On-farm seed production of open-pollinated crops was standard practice throughout most of our agricultural history. Factors such as the advent of hybrid varieties, intellectual property protections, and extensive consolidation within a once-diverse global seed industry have contributed to the substantial decrease in on-farm seed production. Resultant erosion of technical knowledge related to seed production and storage practices, particularly in farming locales outside of traditional seed production areas, may have also contributed to the precipitous decline of this practice.
Nonetheless, on-farm seed production presents opportunities and challenges that may have large impacts on smallholder farmers (i.e. farmers who manage 1 to 10 hectares). In response, some southeastern farmers are expressing interest in the nearly lost practice of producing farm-grown seeds from open-pollinated crops, particularly for species that may demonstrate appropriate market demand and regional adaptability. 'Yukina Savoy' (Brassica rapa L.) is an heirloom, cool weather, annual vegetable crop that meets these criteria.
Farmers who opt for direct seeding may have to overseed to compensate for emergence failure. The economic consequences include the cost of additional seeds and the labor necessary to thin the field. Furthermore, overseeding may create competition for space and resources in the seedling rhizosphere. Seed vigor also has a direct relationship to vegetative growth, so high-quality seeds are crucial for crops such as 'Yukina Savoy' that are harvested for their vegetative mass.
'Yukina Savoy' seeds produced on the three Florida farms in our study displayed a slight advantage in total germination (viz. 99%) during laboratory tests compared with seeds from the commercial, parental seed lot (94%). However, the locally saved seed lots displayed faster and more uniform germination than seeds from the commercial seed lot. We observed similar patterns of emergence when evaluating seedlings produced in the non-climate-controlled greenhouse. Moreover, seedlings from locally sourced seeds were on average 1.25-fold larger than seedlings from commercially sourced seeds. Collectively, this variation suggests potential vigor differences between the local and commercial seed lots.
We concluded that production of high-quality vegetable seeds in north-central Florida is achievable despite the climatic challenges that plague this region and different cultivation practices employed by farmers. Furthermore, this study emphasizes the importance of seed vigor, in addition to seed viability, as an important component of seed quality that should be investigated for other crops that farmers may target for seed production. Results from this study may spark further enthusiasm among southeastern farmers to consider on-farm seed production.
Dr.Pérez is a Professor in the Environmental Horticulture Department at the University of Florida. Dr. Perez's research focuses on seed biology of wild and crop species. Dr. Pérez also works with small to mid-sized limited resource farmers in the region to develop seed production systems of farmer selected crops. His research goals are to enhance seed-based plant conservation while also providing new opportunities for limited resource farmers.
Dr. Maria Teresa Davidson is a Project Specialist in Horticultural Sciences at the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability, and Environmental Sciences at the University of the District of Columbia in Washington, D.C. Dr. Davidson conducts applied research focused on horticultural crops within the urban environment of the District. Her work aims to support urban farmers in improving their practices and to promote better nutrition for community members.
Jena Osmani is a Seed Bank and Laboratory Technician at the National Tropical Botanical Garden in Kaua'i, Hawaii. She oversees the day-to-day operations of the seed bank, including managing the collection and storage of seeds, pollen, and spores of imperiled native plant species.
The full story can be found on the ASHS HortScience electronic journal website at:
https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI17173-23
Established in 1903, the American Society for Horticultural Science is recognized around the world as one of the most respected and influential professional societies for horticultural scientists. ASHS is committed to promoting and encouraging national and international interest in scientific research and education in all branches of horticulture.
Comprised of thousands of members worldwide, ASHS represents a broad cross-section of the horticultural community - scientists, educators, students, landscape and turf managers, government, extension agents and industry professionals. ASHS members focus on practices and problems in horticulture: breeding, propagation, production and management, harvesting, handling and storage, processing, marketing and use of horticultural plants and products. To learn more, visit ashs.org.
