Vegetable seed production under conventional and organic farming systems

摘要

Organic vegetable production is increasing in the last few years in Brazil, and the organic cultivation system demands seeds obtained exclusively from organic sources. In order to establish an organic seed production program for some vegetables, somestudies have been carried out to develop a strategy to allow the production of higher physiological and sanitary seed quality. In addition, there is a lack of information on vegetable seed production under organic system; this makes it difficult to growand consequently leads the availability of organic seeds. This study aimed to evaluate the yield and the seed quality of lettuce, coriander, sweet pepper and snap bean under organic system. Seeds of Cubana' lettuce, 'Verdao' coriander, 'Tico' sweet pepper and Rasteiro Fartura' snap bean were produced under conventional and organic systems. The study was carried out at Embrapa Vegetables, Brasilia, DF, Brazil. Although the seed yield in some species was lower under the organic system than under the conventional one, the physiological (germination and vigor) seed quality was similar in both systems, showing a potential of seed production on these species in the organic system. However, seeds produced in the organic system showed lower sanitary quality compared to the seeds produced in the conventional system.