Do not introduce pests via seeds
Presentation
Characterization of the technique
Description of the technique :
| Julien Halska | INRA | Julien.halska(at)grignon.inra.fr | Dijon (21) |
|---|---|---|---|
To avoid using seeds carrying pathogens:
- use certified seeds (free of pests at a very high rate),
- take all necessary precautions if farm-saved seeds are used,
- treat seeds according to risks (chemical or other methods).
These precautions consist, for seed production, in avoiding plots infested with certain weeds and in properly protecting the crop in general. Then it is a matter of sorting the seeds as best as possible and storing the seeds under optimal conditions.
Implementation period On established crop
Since in the case of farm-saved seeds, the process starts during the management of the seed production crop.
Spatial scale of implementation Plot
This precaution protects the plots where it is applied but obviously benefits from being generalized.
Application of the technique to...
All crops : Easily generalizable
On crops that present a risk.
All soil types : Easily generalizable
All climatic contexts : Easily generalizable
Effects on the sustainability of the cropping system
Environmental criteria
Effect on air quality : Increasing
phytosanitary emissions : DECREASE
GHG emissions : NEUTRAL
Effect on water quality : Increasing
pesticides : DECREASE
Other : No effect (neutral)
Using healthy seeds reduces the risk of diseases and weeds and thus avoids treatments. This indirectly limits the risk of water and air contamination.
The impact of this technique on GHG emissions and fossil energy consumption is difficult to assess, as it depends on the practices that allow harvesting a clean plot for seed production and the sorting, cleaning, and possible treatment of seeds. It also depends on avoided sprayer passes. It can be hypothesized that the effect of this technique on fossil energy consumption is low.
Possibilities for choosing seed treatments :
The possibilities to adapt seed treatment choices are greater for farm-saved seeds. It seems that these seeds are often less treated than commercial seeds.
Agronomic criteria
Productivity : No effect (neutral)
Soil fertility : No effect (neutral)
Unless there are unintended effects of some seed treatments on soil fauna and/or flora.
Functional Biodiversity : No effect (neutral)
Unless there are unintended effects of some seed treatments on fauna and/or flora.
Other agronomic criteria : Increasing
Development of resistance to seed treatments
In some cases, it is necessary to limit the risk of resistance development to seed treatments. For example, it is advised not to systematically treat sunflower seeds against downy mildew.
Economic criteria
Operating costs : Increasing
The precautions to be taken necessarily have a cost (protection of seed production plots, sorting, cleaning, and treatment of seeds), but allow savings on treatments (or other crop protection measures) and/or yield gains thereafter.
Mechanization costs : Increasing
Similarly: cost of producing healthy seeds, and savings on treatments (or other crop protection measures) and/or yield gains.
Margin : Increasing
It can be considered that costs are generally lower than the benefits induced by using healthy seeds. Limiting contamination sources has long-term effects.
Social criteria
Working time : Variable
The assessment is difficult to make. It depends on the practices that allow harvesting a clean plot for seed production. It also depends on avoided sprayer passes. It can be hypothesized that the effect of this technique on mechanization time is low.
This depends on the choice between buying certified seeds and producing farm-saved seeds (which requires additional work for production and sorting/cleaning/treatment of seeds).
Observation time : Variable
Increases if producing farm-saved seeds, since seed production plots must be particularly monitored.
For more information
- Limiting primary inoculum sources of downy mildew
- -Andrivon D. (INRA); Evenhuis B. and Schepers H. (WUR, Netherlands); Gaucher D. (ACTA); Kapsa J. and Lebecka R. (IHAR, Poland); Nielsen B. (AU; Denmark); Ruocco M. (CNR, Italy)
ENDURE, Technical brochure, 2010
- Principles and techniques of seed treatment
- -GNIS
GNIS, educational space, Website
Keywords
Pest control method : Cultural control
Mode of action : Action on initial stock
Type of strategy regarding pesticide use : Substitution
