Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for - Aseanipm ...

Exercise No. 7.07
PROPER HARVESTING AND SEED STORAGE FOR
SUSTAINED AVAILABILITY OF ORGANICALLY-GROWN
VEGETABLE VARIETIES AND BREEDING LINES
BaCKGroUND aND raTIoNalE
In plant breeding, harvest time is one of the most critical
periods in a season. Selected varieties, plants and crosses
must be carefully identified, harvested, threshed, and stored.
Seeds of fruits are extracted after harvest, or if fruits can be
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Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for Organic Vegetable Production
stored long enough, just before re-planting. Seed lots must be identified with tags and labels and
entered in bags to avoid admixtures. Clean storage rooms must be prepared for fruit and seed that
will be used for next season. Additional fruits may be harvested for further post-harvest evaluations
like cooking quality, taste, and shelf life 256 .
In farmer field schools (FFSs), innovative experiences in harvesting and seed storage of their
organically-grown vegetable varieties and breeding lines must be shared among farmers to further
improve their existing practices. The foregoing exercise was specifically designed to achieve this
purpose.
How long will this exercise take?
• At least thirty minutes for brainstorming session;
• At least one hour for mini-workshop;
• At least one hour for participatory discussion using guide questions; and
• At least half day for field visit (optional).
when is this exercise most
appropriate?
ɶ In FFS, TOT, and VST
sessions, just before
harvesting and before
start of discussions on
‘Harvesting and Postharvest
Management in
Vegetables’.
256 Smolders, H. and Caballeda, E. 2006. Field Guide for Participatory Plant Breeding in Farmer Field Schools: With Emphasis on Rice and Vegetables.
Participatory Enhancement of Diversity of Genetic Resources in Asia (PEDIGREA) Publication. Center for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands. pp75-
76.