Good seed is the start of a good crop. It is the cheapest input and has the biggest effect on the result. When buying, look for the following.
Quality standards
- Purity: free of weed seed, foreign matter and other varieties.
- Germination rate: the higher it is, the more even the field.
- Vigour: strong seed gives strong seedlings.
- Health: free of disease, damage and insects.
- Suitable variety: one that fits your climate, season length and soil.
A simple germination test
1. Take 100 seeds and place them between two pieces of damp cloth.
2. Keep the cloth damp in a warm place.
3. After a few days, count the seeds that have sprouted.
4. The number sprouted out of each hundred is roughly the germination rate.
Storage
Store seed as dry and cool as you can, in breathable containers, away from damp and insects. We supply high-yield, disease-resistant seed for a range of crops.
Tips when buying
- Buy from a reliable source that gives variety details, the germination rate and the production date.
- Check the packaging: intact, dry and free of mould.
- Keep the purchase receipt and the batch number.
- Do not save seed from a hybrid crop to replant, because the results will not match the parent.
Seed you multiply on your own farm needs the best plants chosen, good cleaning and proper storage so diseases do not carry over from one season to the next.
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