South Perth, Western Australia
February 4, 2008
Graingrowers have been urged not
to cut costs by not seed testing this year and risk having their
crop underperform.
Department of Agriculture
and Food Plant Laboratories manager Mark Holland is concerned
that growers in areas affected by last year’s dry season won’t
get their seed tested.
“Farmers are urged to take advantage of the department’s seed
germination testing service to assess the quality of dry season
and weather damaged seed to be planted this season,” he said.
“I’m expecting a 30 per cent reduction in the number of samples
submitted for testing as a result of the dry season.
“There was also widespread rainfall during harvest throughout
much of the grainbelt, which could also affect seed quality.”
Mr Holland said for a cost of between $50-60 a germination test
for most crop species, growers can ensure their seed will
perform to expectations.
“Tested cereal seed of more than 80 per cent germination can be
used for cultivation but should be tested again nearer to
seeding. Where seed germination is low fungicide application
should be delayed until closer to seeding time,” he said.
“Seed with less than 80 per cent germination should not be used,
while weather damaged seed should not be kept for more than one
season.”
Grain held over from a previous season should also be
germination tested.
Mr Holland said farmers who intend to use sprouted grain next
season should consult their herbicide supplier about the use of
seed dressings and the use of pre and post emergent herbicides
on sprouted grain.
Seed sampling kits are available from all regional department
offices or the submission forms can be downloaded from
www.agric.wa.gov.au/agwestplantlabs |
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