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Importance
of Seeds
By Syed Manzoor Alam
Agriculture
is a very important sector of Pakistan’s economy and
as such the welfare of the vast majority of the population
is mainly dependent on efficient harnessing of the agricultural
resources of the Country. The population of Pakistan is increasing
at an annual rate of 2.8 per cent and at present, it has reached
the level of over 145 million. To meet the needs of this rapidly
growing population grain production will have to be increased
considerably through enhanced per yields. At present, the
per hectare yields obtained at experimental stations/progressive
farms using a complete package of improved technology is far
higher than the average farms practicing traditional agriculture.
It appears that efforts to promote pesticides and fertilizers
especially by the private sector have produced good results,
but the question of quality seed has remained unanswered and
as such has started seriously affecting the overall production
economy of the farmers
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Geographical area currently
in Pakistan used to be known as the bread basket of the
sub continent in pre-Independence days, but is unable
to support its own population even after a lapse of years
and imports of large quantities are required not only
of edible oils but also of other commodities, which are
the main diets of people in Pakistan. Although, agriculture
in Pakistan has developed in the past, but it has not
been able to keep pace with the rapidly growing food requirements
of the population. Amongst many factors, which act as
a constraint to the faster growth in agriculture in Pakistan,
the availability of quality seed is one which needs more
attention. Whereas, inputs |
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like
fertilizers and pesticides are now readily available to
the farmers, the certified seed is still not so readily
available at the proper time and in the quantities required.
The seed of any crop enjoys a unique position among the
various physical agricultural inputs. The improvements
in efficiency of all the inputs are largely dependent
on the quality of seeds used by the growers.On the other
hand seed also acts as a carrier of the diseases, which
can upset the crop productivity. |
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| An essential feature in the development of agricultural
crops in any country is a carefully planned seed programme,
i.e. selection, breeding, cleaning and protection of good quality
seed. It is a vital input and a key element of the agriculture
system. There are certain factors, which are necessary for establishing
the seed quality: Controlling the quality of seed; certification
of seeds; field inspection of crops of registered seeds. |
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In agriculture scenario, many
factors contribute for raising successful crop and the
use of quality seed boost up to 30%. Physiology of mature
seed of good quality is influenced by the place of its
production. Good quality mature seed may be obtained from
the plants by extending and adjusting the vegetative growth
period and the growing time. The use of quality seed increases
the amount of crops harvested per acre. About 90% of the
farm crop raised on the earth soils are propagated by
seed. For a common farmer, good quality seed required
to raise the next crop. Seed quality is influenced by
many factors including purity, free from weed, germination
capacity, vigor, seed size and health. Germination capacity |
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and vigor are influenced by the storage conditions
under which farmers store their seed in his residential villages.
When the farmer stores his own seed, he stores it in a small
quantity at home or on the farm site. Sometimes, some amount
of seeds have to be carried over for next coming years.
Storage of seed for larger period is very expensive. The purpose
of storage is to maintain the germination capacity. After harvest,
the seed of crops maintain its vigor and germination capacity
for a period of weeks to years only if the storage conditions
fulfil the particular requirements for safe storage of seed.
Life of seed comes to an end, when the germination capacity
begins to fall. Hard seed coat crops like rice, millet, oats,
beet, lucerne etc have long storage life. At the other side,
the seeds, which are difficult to store, are soybean, groundnut
and onion. |
For least seed damage in storage,
the seed should be properly kept dry, cool and protected
from damage. It is a general phenomenon that temperature
and humidity account much for the life span of seed. For
safe storage, it is recommended to store the seed at 5
percent moisture content with a temperature of 18o C or
less. Under this environmental condition, loss of viability
is very low, but it does occur, which is due to the damage
to the seed nucleus. Life of any seed decreases as storage
temperature increases. From 0 to 50o C each 5o C increase
in storage temperature normally halves the life of a seed.
High moisture seeds are more susceptible to high temperature.
The moisture content of seed depends on its chemical composition. |
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Starchy
seeds readily absorb and retain moisture tenaciously
and seeds to gave high moisture content. Oilseed
on the other hand, neither absorbs nor retains moisture
content, while proteins are intermediate. High moisture
seeds deteriorate faster and are more susceptible
to damage from the extreme temperature, storage,
fungi, insects, heating and mechanical injury. At
high relative humidity, the life of seed is generally
reduced, while the viability capacity decreases
and the number of abnormal seedlings, stabbed roots
involving secondary roots development increases.
Such seedlings cannot survive in the field.
High moisture content in the seed accelerates respiration
accumulation of toxic wastage products, resulting
in loss of viability. Seed protects and sustains
life. Seed requires optimum supply of moisture,
air and temperature in well-prepared bed, which
helps in the quick emergence of shoot in the atmosphere
and deep penetration of root in the rhizosphere
for further development. Seed is a positive and
creative force. It is both a symbol and foundation
of good life of a plant. Poor yields of the crops
are mainly due to low plant population, which has
developed due to defective, impure and weak seed.
Therefore, good quality of seed is the main criterion
for development of a good crop production. In addition,
proper numbers of plants, which appear after germination
of seed are also important in obtaining a good grain
yield from the crop. |
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Sweet
Onion Variety on List of What's New
By Sharon Dowell
A new entry in the sweet onion arena is expected
to show up in produce bins this summer. VeriSweet
onions join the lineup of familiar sweets including
Vidalias, Texas 1015s and OSO Sweets.
The VeriSweet onions will be available until Oct.
1. The seeds are planted in Arizona in the fall,
grown partially there, then dug up and flown to
Washington state, where they're replanted by hand
in such a way to allow for maximum growth.
Horizon Produce is marketing the fresh onions
to compete with cold-storage Vidalia onions. Season
for fresh, Georgia-grown Vidalias is April and
May, then the onions go into a controlled atmosphere
storage for availability the remainder of the
year.
Opening later this month will be Musashi's, a
Japanese-inspired restaurant operated by Western
Concepts, which also owns Sushi Neko. Musashi's,
at 4318 N Western, will be open for lunch and
dinner six days a week.
The eatery honors Miyamoto Musashi, a samurai
warrior who wrote "Book of Five Rings."
The restaurant's five rooms reflect those five
rings -- void, earth, wind, water and fire --
in unusual design characteristics. The restaurant
menus are round to carry out the theme.
Entrees include sake lobster, beef, shrimp, scallops,
salmon, vegetarian and a Kobe-style beef that
managing partner Fred Langford describes as a
mixture of black Angus beef and Kobe beef raised
in the Midwest. The mix was chosen to keep the
price affordable ($34.95) for Oklahomans, Langford
said at a preview reception at the restaurant
last week.
For more information, call Musashi's at 602-5623.
Ernest Hemingway is a brand name for furniture,
bedding, hammocks, rugs and home accessories,
and now it has entered the culinary world with
the introduction of five varieties of seafood
marinades. The food items were unveiled at the
New York Fancy Food Show this week.
The line includes a sweet and tangy Key West marinade,
a Mediterranean Spanish variety, Kenya Marinade
with citrus flavor, Island Marinade with a hint
of the Far East and an Idaho Mesquite variety
reflecting a touch of the Southwest. The marinades
reflect areas of the world where the author traveled
and lived.
The marinades will eventually be available in
supermarkets and specialty stores.
A 130-year-old Tabasco pepper sauce bottle has
been unearthed at an archaeological excavation
in Virginia City, Nev. The bottle, in 21 pieces,
was found among artifacts from the Boston Saloon,
which served meals and beverages to blacks during
its years of operation, 1864-75. The site is now
a parking lot for another popular saloon.
McIlhenny Co. officials in Avery Island, La.,
where the hot pepper sauce has been made since
1868, have confirmed the bottle is one of the
company's earliest designs, with embossing and
sharp shoulders.
Target Stores has teamed with chef Ming Tsai,
owner of Boston's Blue Ginger restaurant and star
of two TV cooking shows, to develop a line of
East-West cookware and tools.
Later this summer, Target will unveil his Blue
Ginger line of specialty foods and cooking ingredients
that will include Hawaiian pink sea salt, wasabi
powder, five-spice shortbread cookies, mango salsa,
sushi and jasmine rices, vinegars and vinaigrettes,
sauces, oils, marinades and several varieties
of potato chips and crackers
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