Forages-The science of grassland agriculture

Authors: STEINER, JEFF - National Institute Of Food And Agriculture (NIFA); Springer, Timothy

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/6/2018
Publication Date: 6/5/2020
Citation: Steiner, J., Springer, T.L. 2020. Seed production. In K.J. Moore, M. Collins, C.J. Nelson and D.D. Redfearn editors. Forages-The science of grassland agriculture, II. 7th edition. Chichester, West Sussex England, UK: John Wiley & Sons Ltd. p. 581-592. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119436669.ch32.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119436669.ch32

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: In the past, when farmers needed seeds for planting, they allowed hay fields or pastures to flower and produce seeds. Seed production was a co-product of forage production. As adapted varieties became available, grazing and harvested forage systems became more specialized, and the seed trade expanded, the seeds of many forage species were produced as specialty crops in regions geographically removed from the areas where the seeds were utilized; regions where environmental conditions are conducive to dependable yields of high quality seeds. Today, seed producers and the seed sales industry provide consumers with dependable quantities of high performing seeds that add value to the production systems where used. Special rules are followed by seed producers to help ensure that the genetic quality of cultivars remain true to the genetic composition as originally were developed by plant breeders. Also, specialized production and conditioning practices are used to assure that the seeds produced are as pure as possible from physical contaminants such as weed seeds.