Improving the identification, handling and storage of âdifficultâ seeds ...

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Measuring seed moisture Farmers generally measure seed moisture by observations. After harvesting, the grains are sun-dried for two to three days. This allows the seeds to dry and where necessary the farmers literally carry out tests such as breaking the grain by teeth to observe its strength if can withstand storage. The same observations are made during harvesting so that harvesting is done when the crops are very mature and the grains are dry enough to withstand mould. Storage Containers Storage containers range from polythene bags, paper bags, sacks, gunny bags, gourds, pots, bottles, plastic jars to metal cans. Pre-treatment is very necessary for better storage life of the seed such as cleaning, drying and then dressing with concoctions or pesticides before storage. It is the storage structure and its construction which plays a vital role in reducing the losses of seed during storage. ▪ Plastic jars, drums etc – It was realized that most farmers use plastic jars/drums. This was also highlighted as effective method of storing seeds but only in clean, dry airtight jars/drums kept in cool dry conditions in a farm store or storeroom. The lids of such drums must be tightly fitted because when the jar/drum is completely filled with seeds, any insect present will deplete the oxygen in the jar/drum and die. ▪ Plastic bags – Have been found to be frequently used by community seed banks especially with the training and support of the Genebank. Water-proof plastic bags are found to be the best way of storing seeds. Though these kinds of bags are expensive for smallholder farmers and require technical training. ▪ Sacks, papers and gunny bags – These bags are also commonly used by farmers and community seed banks. At the very least, bagged seeds must be kept off the ground to prevent spoilage by translocation, water and/or termites. Alternatively, the bags should be stacked on dunnage or waterproof sheeting, away from walls in a rodent-proof barn. ▪ Gourds and pots – In the past, pots and gourds were common facilities for seed storage, farmers have indicated that the trend has drastically changed as gourds have become very rare species and pots are costly and cumbersome to use especially when one has many crops and varieties for storage. Farmers are advised to be very careful when using gourds since they tend to harbour weevils which are major threat to seeds. The Kamba community in Kenya has been associated with gourds for the last century. ▪ Metal Cans (Silos) –metal silos have been introduced as seed storage facilities to community seed banks. The containers are very effective in conserving seeds except they are expensive to produce hence they are not cost effective to smallholder farmers. Storage Structures ▪ Granary – the common storage structure for farmers in most communities is the granary. Though frequently used, farmers have been advised to keep the surrounding of the granary clean, the structure should be elevated to keep off termites and rodents. The granary should be well covered on top to avoid leaking of rainwater and plastered with an improvised clay layer to avoid termite or other insects attack. ▪ Above the fireplace – there are few farmers who still keep selected types of seeds such as Zea mays cobs, Sorghum sp. heads and Phaseolus sp. pods tied or hanged at the roof by the fireplace. This method is not effective for large quantity of seeds. Farmers are advised that this method exposes the grains to rodent and weevils especially at early stages and moisture exposure during rainy season which may result in mould. Controlling pest and diseases There are a number of methods to control insect pests or fungal infestation, used by both farmers and community seed banks. The major pests are weevils, bruchids and the larger grain borer. The common methods used by farmers to prevent pest attack are traditional e.g. dressing seeds by concoctions such as ash from fire wood, cow dung or sisal. Farmers also mix seeds with leaves of
Mexican marigold and leaves of neem tree - both plants are well known for their multipurpose uses and treatment of various diseases in animals, plants as well as humans. Keeping the storage containers from damp and humid environments helps to control mould and other fungal infestations which can destroy seeds. Dusting seeds with chemicals such as super grain dust keeps away weevil. Farmers were advised that fumigants and pesticides should be used only if necessary but with caution and as last resort. In general fumigant or pesticide should not be used as they are known to have adverse effect on seed quality and longevity in storage. As explained earlier, constant check on the conditions of seeds in store and re-drying and replacing pesticides as appropriate reduces chances of spoilage. Germination testing Optionally, farmers test viability of seeds both at the time of storage and before planting. Viability tests are mostly carried out for seeds, which are “at risk”. This gives the farmer surety of the germination viability of the seed after planting. The frequent method used by most farmers to test seed viability is by soaking a sample of the seeds in water for two to three days for the seed to sprout. Sometimes the farmer just plants a sample of the seed to test the viability status. Species known to consistently demonstrate for low germination (
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1. Project background Supported by
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1.2. Workshop programme The worksho
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1.3. FAO presentation International
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Activity Areas on Institutions and
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Through the Seed and Plant Genetic
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GSPC /ITPGRFA). Purpose: improved i
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Orthodox but dormant Although less
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2. Country report summaries Support
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2.2. BOTSWANA presentation Botswana
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ecently released a biodiversity str
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follows: ▪ Selection of good seed
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- Low Constant temperature oven met
Page 29 and 30: ▪ ▪ ▪ Blotting paper in Petri
Page 31 and 32: The second problem associated with
Page 33 and 34: inadequate seed numbers such as end
Page 35 and 36: 2.7. LESOTHO presentation Lesotho N
Page 37 and 38: 2.8. LIBYA presentation The Nationa
Page 39 and 40: 2.9. MALAWI presentation Malawi Pla
Page 41 and 42: Species that demonstrate low levels
Page 43 and 44: 2.10. MOZAMBIQUE presentation Agric
Page 45 and 46: Measuring seed moisture status ▪
Page 47 and 48: 2.13. SEYCHELLES presentation Minis
Page 49 and 50: Crops to be considered for conserva
Page 51 and 52: Drying facilities/methods The proto
Page 53 and 54: 2.14. SOUTH AFRICA presentation Sou
Page 55 and 56: Legume forages Grass forages back,
Page 57 and 58: which the viability seemed to be de
Page 59 and 60: amount of moisture in that sample.
Page 61 and 62: ▪ Encourage and promote the conse
Page 63 and 64: efore the NPGRC acquired storage fa
Page 65 and 66: perennial wetland, as the field gen
Page 67 and 68: 3. Other stakeholders’ presentati
Page 69 and 70: IPGRI’s Vision People today and i
Page 71 and 72: ▪ ▪ ▪ Mali - Traditional seed
Page 73 and 74: ▪ Support services - development
Page 75 and 76: 3.3. SPGRC presentation Gene Bank M
Page 77 and 78: ▪ To fully operationalize SPGRC h
Page 79: ▪ have achieved the desk study an
Page 83 and 84: 4. RBG Kew species analysis Support
Page 85 and 86: Table 1. Families with greatest num
Page 87 and 88: Table 5. Completed tests and propor
Page 89 and 90: investigated were found to be recal
Page 91 and 92: 5.1. Format of group sessions Outpu
Page 93 and 94: 2. Most urgent training needs Main
Page 95 and 96: 5.3. GROUP 2 report Group members
Page 97 and 98: Top 5 equipment needs for group:
Page 99 and 100: esculentus Lycopersicon ▪ problem
Page 101 and 102: ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
Page 103 and 104: ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ Ethiopia - hygromet
Page 105 and 106: 6. Plenary Supported by Also suppor
Page 107 and 108: - South Africa - direct new project
Page 109 and 110: 7. Annexe Supported by Also support
Page 111 and 112: Mr. José de Menezes Ministry of Ag
Page 113 and 114: 7.2. Questionnaires (for reports) T
Page 115 and 116: 7.3. List of “difficult to conser
Page 117 and 118: EBENACEAE Euclea undulate Improveme
Page 119 and 120: POACEAE Sorghum bicolor Low viabili
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Improving the identification, handling and storage of âdifficultâ seeds ...