Using Certified Seed Is The Only Option

Obtain the most suitable pasture or grain cultivar for your area

By DPI - 27th January 2003 - Back to News

While it is important to obtain the most suitable pasture or grain cultivar for your area, it is equally important to ensure that the seed you purchase is of high quality, true to type and free of contamination.

Seed certification and seed testing are two different processes used to ensure identity of seed, and ensure purity and quality. Seed sold as certified seed with a seed test analysis certificate provides a clear indication to the purchaser of the purity and quality of the seed, and ultimately this will be related to the price of the seed.

Seed Certification

Seed certification in the pasture seed industry is undertaken by contracted organisations such as AgriQuality in Victoria, to certify that seed of the particular cultivar maintains its identity and uniformity through successive generations of seed production, and to ensure a high level of purity.

Field inspections are conducted to ensure crops are free of weeds or within the accepted industry standards. Inspectors also look for potential contamination from other cultivars, and that the plants are visually similar to the breeder's claims and expectations, which includes their growth habit, flowering time and disease tolerance.

Those seed crops that pass inspection are classed as 'Certified'.

There are a number of in-house seed quality assurance schemes operating in the grains industry. These schemes vary in their level of external auditing. Buyers should ask what the scheme checks and if any external auditing is conducted.

Seed Testing

Seed testing relates to the quality (eg. germination, hard seed level and vigour) of the seed, and is conducted by accredited seed testing laboratories. Testing is conducted on seed lines, and information is then provided to the owner in the form of a seed analysis certificate. This analysis provides information on seed germination, the level of hard seed present, dead seed percentage and other tests for specific issues such as the likely presence of annual ryegrass in perennial ryegrass seed.

Why purchase certified and tested seed? The most important factors are the potential risk of introducing a significant weed species, or having a very poor establishment due to low germination. Uncertified sub. clover seed is a significant problem, with a high risk of contamination by high oestrogen cultivars. The risk of contaminating your farm is a very strong argument for buying only certified seed, especially in sub. clovers.

Other criteria include minimum germination, minimum purity and a maximum percentage of other seeds.

Minimum germination

Many factors impact on the successful establishment of a pasture. However, one of the easiest to control is to ensure the seed sown is alive. Germination percentage indicates the percent of seed that is alive and is available to grow at the time of testing.

Minimum germination is the number of seeds that are growing 14 days after being exposed to water and mild temperatures. A standard test is conducted under controlled conditions to obtain the germination result for each seed line. It is important to note that in some species 60% germination is acceptable and within the industry agreed standards.

Take care when purchasing old seed. Germination can deteriorate rapidly as seed dies if not stored correctly. Ask for a current (less than three months since testing) seed analysis with germination results, before purchasing old or last season's seed.

It is strongly recommended that certified seed is purchased and a copy of the certification and seed analysis certificates is obtained for your records.

ELLINBANK’S NEW WATER AND WASTEWATER TESTING SERVICE

The importance of good clean water and its availability as a scarce Australian resource is more than well documented throughout our agricultural industries and community. In recognition of the increasing needs of industry and the broader community for access to qualified water services, DPI’s Ellinbank Water Laboratory has established an expert facility for water and wastewater analysis. Since its formation 12 months ago, DPI’s Ellinbank Water Laboratory has also gained full NATA (National Association of Testing Authorities) accreditation in the areas of water and wastewater testing.

Working closely with the State Chemistry Laboratory, the Ellinbank Water Laboratory specialises in the analysis of natural waters, drinking waters, bore waters and wastewaters for researchers, farmers, industry and the community.

The Ellinbank Water Laboratory has the capacity to customise analytical services to suit the needs of individual clients. In addition, the laboratory has put together test packages that are specifically aimed at "Stock and Irrigation Water" and "Drinking Water". The laboratory value-adds to these services by assisting clients with the interpretation of their analytical data based on the Australian Water Quality Guidelines.

Ellinbank’s water specialists deliver high quality, independent and confidential results to clients; and their comprehensive agronomic experience allows them to provide more detailed interpretations of test results than most laboratories.

The Ellinbank Water Laboratory provides advice on sampling procedures and testing can be conducted from samples anywhere in the State as they can be easily sent via Australia Post.

For more information and instructions on the best method of collection of water for testing, contact Dr David Halliwell, Laboratory Manager, at DPI Ellinbank Water Laboratory, on

(03) 5624 2258.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS SUIT FRESH- WATER ALGAL BLOOMS

The hot and very dry weather of recent weeks has resulted in increasing reports of freshwater Blue-green algal blooms from across Gippsland during January. However, estuarine water quality in the Gippsland Lakes is good and expected to stay that way throughout the summer.

The threat of algal blooms in farm dams, billabongs, creeks and reservoirs is likely to persist until cooler weather intervenes in the autumn or until rainfall flushes them of stagnant water.

Typically, a Blue-green algal bloom will result in the water being green and cloudy. There may also be visible green or blue flecks suspended in the water or a surface scum. Decaying scums may have an unpleasant smell.

As Blue-green algae can be a threat to human and animal health, people are asked to watch for blooms when swimming, boating or walking pets near water and avoid any contact if water quality is suspect. Warning signs may already be in place if the presence of a bloom has been confirmed.

The managers of local water bodies (Shires, Water Authorities, Department of Primary Industries) should be contacted if a bloom is suspected so that testing can be carried out and remedial action taken.

Farm dams are often affected by algal blooms and may present a risk to livestock health. Farmers with animals in this situation should consider giving them access to another water supply if this is possible.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com