Publication Date
1993
Description
Seed quality has traditionally been considered to consist of two components: physiologic and genetic quality. The benefits of using high quality seeds have been widely documented and are generally not questioned. These henefits came about as a result of a firstgeneration of seed quality aware11ess which began more than a century ago. In intensive temperate forage production systems, the producer usually has a ready supply of high-quality seeds available for purchase. For the consumer, seed quality is not a major constraint to system productivity, However, many forage producers are not realising all of the potential benefits from using high quality seeds of improved cultivars. Apart from alfalfa, many consumers choose seed based on price and not potential performance, As a result, the availability of improved cullivars for many intensive systems is limited. The objective of this presentation is to review the traditional objectives and steps that have been used to improve forage production system productivity through the use of high quality seeds and to consider possible constraints that may hinder the consumer from realising all the benefits from quality seed use. A second generation of seed quality awareness is evolving that needs to emphasise the genetic performance of cullivars for intensive forage system. This paper defines physiologic quality and genetic quality, describes methods for quantifying these components, and discusses the impact of the consumer on quality seed availability in the market.
Citation
Steiner, Jeffrey J., "The Benefits of Seed Quality in Intensive Temperate Forage Systems" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 1.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session51/1
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
The Benefits of Seed Quality in Intensive Temperate Forage Systems
Seed quality has traditionally been considered to consist of two components: physiologic and genetic quality. The benefits of using high quality seeds have been widely documented and are generally not questioned. These henefits came about as a result of a firstgeneration of seed quality aware11ess which began more than a century ago. In intensive temperate forage production systems, the producer usually has a ready supply of high-quality seeds available for purchase. For the consumer, seed quality is not a major constraint to system productivity, However, many forage producers are not realising all of the potential benefits from using high quality seeds of improved cultivars. Apart from alfalfa, many consumers choose seed based on price and not potential performance, As a result, the availability of improved cullivars for many intensive systems is limited. The objective of this presentation is to review the traditional objectives and steps that have been used to improve forage production system productivity through the use of high quality seeds and to consider possible constraints that may hinder the consumer from realising all the benefits from quality seed use. A second generation of seed quality awareness is evolving that needs to emphasise the genetic performance of cullivars for intensive forage system. This paper defines physiologic quality and genetic quality, describes methods for quantifying these components, and discusses the impact of the consumer on quality seed availability in the market.
