Scientist tasks farmers on principles, practices of seed production
Seed
By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Ibadan, Aug.1, 2019 (NAN) Dr Dotun Ogunniyan, a Seed Scientist at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan, Oyo State, has urged farmers to practice adequate seed production to obtain maximum yield.
Ogunniyan gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Thursday.
He said that seed production should involve all activities (from planning to sales) to make high quality seeds available to farmers in adequate quantity and at the right time.
Ogunniyan noted that seed production is an important and precise activity that should be governed by specific rules and regulations as production of genetically pure, quality seeds requires high technical skill and specialisation.
According to him, the operations must be carried out under standard conditions while the producer should be familiar with genetic as well as agronomic principles of seed production.
The scientist also noted that seed production must pass through the seed regulating agency (National Agricultural Seed Council) of the country of production.
He listed the sequential order of seed production to include site selection, seed procurement, cultivation, harvesting, drying and bagging.
‘’Different crops have their various requirements; these must be met before a particular location is selected for seed production.
‘’The soil condition and sunlight are important because they are responsible for feeding the plants, which will produce good quality seeds.
‘’Variety must be tested by the breeders and farmers over the years so as to prove the value of the variety and superiority over the existing ones.
‘’Similarly, the state of the seed at planting stage needs to be examined. The seed should be viable, pure and free from pests or physiological disorders,’’ Ogunniyan said.
He said that bush clearing should be total; not only to encourage mechanisation but to prevent damages that might be caused by pests, pathogens that the leftover bush might harbour.
Ogunniyan explained that the soil of tropical regions should be appropriately prepared to allow germination of the seeds and reduce drudgery in the subsequent operations.
He advised farmers to plant pure seeds with minimal contamination in the correct class.
The scientist urged farmers to maintain adequate thinning, weeding, rouging, fertiliser application and crop protection to ensure optimum production from the fields.
‘’Good weed control is the basic requirement in producing good quality seed; weeds may cause contamination of the seed crop and reduction in yield.
‘’Harvesting, drying and bagging are also very important as others, beginning from site selection. Seeds of some crops shatter immediately the pods are dry, while some have very short dormancy periods.
‘’All the operations explained above must be done at the appropriate time using the appropriate implements or equipment to improve production,’’ Ogunniyan said. (NAN)
CC/JEO/AJA
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Edited by Jane-Frances Oraka/Adeleye Ajayi