Seed Technologies to Increase Seed Value in Tasmania

摘要

The performance of a seedlot of any species in the field depends on a range of factors, One of these factors is seedlot quality or vigour. It is becoming increasingly clear that seedlot quality is difficult to define and the ability of a seedlot to perform depends partly on the history of the seedlot, and partly on the environmental conditions during germination (Bradford, 1996). Factors including environmental conditions during maturation, harvest time (and thus seed maturity), seed storage, pretreat-ment prior to sowing, and field conditions during emergence can substantially affect seedlot performance (Coolbear, 1995; Finch-Savage, 1995). Technologies applied to crops grown commercially from seed in Tasmania have the capacity to increase the value of the seed to the producers, by improving the ability of a seedlot to perform in the field This paper presents some examples of Tasmanian crops, which have benefited from technologies that improve seed quality.