Clemson makes sure seeds are worth planting

Published: January 25, 2010

CLEMSON — Farming is hard enough without starting with bad seed. Clemson University Public Service and Agriculture in cooperation with the South Carolina Crop Improvement Association has reorganized the foundation seed program to ensure growers have access to the highest-quality planting stock available.

The South Carolina Foundation Seed Association has merged with the South Carolina Crop Improvement Association. Foundation seed will be produced at Clemson University Experiment Station research centers and made available to producers and seedsman.

“Our mission is to cooperate with Clemson University, USDA and other agricultural agencies in developing, testing, producing and distributing superior strains and varieties of planting stock,” said Chris Ray, director of the crop improvement program.

From fertilizer to fuel, prices are higher these days. Seed costs can be as much as 10 percent of a farmer’s input costs. So seed quality is a major factor in grower success.

“There are four classes of certified seed," Ray said. "In order of generation they are breeder, foundation, registered and certified seed.”

• Breeder seed comes from the original plant breeder who supplies the source of foundation seed.
• Foundation seed is produced from breeder's seed or foundation seed produced under the control of the originator or licensee.
• Registered seed is produced from foundation or other approved seed stocks. It is allowable for the production of certified seed.
• Certified seed is produced from foundation or registered seed stocks. It is two generations from foundation seed. Certified seed cannot be used to produce certified seed again without the approval of the state certification agency.

The crop improvement programs will not only deal in crops, such as soybeans, corn and peas, but also fruits and vegetables, ranging from peaches to okra to beans and heirloom vegetables. Home gardeners, too, will be able to get seed from the association in the near future.

“It’s going to take a year for us to be fully operational, but we welcome hearing from growers, seedsmen and gardeners,” said Ray.

Buying certified seed is an important part of improving plant varieties. Seed sales help pay for research that can improve yields, disease resistance and quality traits, adding to farm profitability.

Quality seed must be labeled and packaged properly, according to Ray. No seed is considered certified unless an official certification tag is affixed to the packaging.

Proper conditioning is important to remove weed seed and inert matter: pebbles, twigs and other trash. Less inert matter means easier planting, more plants per acre and easier harvest. Seed also is examined and sorted to remove puny seed or diseased seed. This results in more uniform stands.

Fewer weed seeds means crops compete less for fertilizer and rainfall. Weed infestation means additional costs for chemicals, fuel and labor along with reduced quality.

"Better seed means quicker emergence, better stand establishment and vigorous competition to suppress weed growth,” said Ray. “What’s more, uniform plant development — uniform flowering and maturity — makes it easier to time fungicide or insecticide applications. And it means easier harvest and reduced drying costs.”

Certified seed is the best value in agriculture, said Ray.

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