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 Enquiries SEED News - nov/dec 2004
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This section is coordinated by the professors from the Federal University of Pelotas-Brazil, with the objective of answering the inquiries sent by the readers.
Send your question to e-mail: silmar@seednews.inf.br
The analysis of genetically modified organisms (GMO) is a reality in the seed business. I would like to know the relation of the distinct laboratories that accomplish this kind of evaluation.
Nowadays, the seeds need to be evaluated in regard of their physiological and physical quality and they must present a minimum of quality that, in general, is 98% of purity and 80% for germination so that they can be commercialized. The laboratories that accomplish these analyses are standardized in such way that a test accomplished in one country will have the same results if accomplished in another one. In order to make this happen, the laboratories have to be accredited by an entity that at international level is the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA), and inside the country, normally, is the Ministry of Agriculture. Specifically regarding your question, the tendency is that the same laboratories that today carry out the physiological and physical analysis would also carry out the OGM analysis .
The article about international seed market, published in the last edition of the SEED News magazine, was enough clarifying, but I would like to know which are the main bottle necks in this market?
There are organisms and international agreements that discipline the international seed market. However, the countries need to interiorize those agreements that many times do not occur at the desired fastness and are only remembered when an opportunity to export seeds appears. The biggest problems, currently, are the plagues, whose list is bigger than the reality, the lack of seed certification by the OECD system and laboratory accredited by ISTA, with possibility of issuing the orange certificate.
Reviewing an article about irrigated rice, I observed that the productivity of the farmers varied from 3 to 10t/ha and that the author recommended that the seed producer shouldn't waste his time offering his seeds to the farmer that would be producing 3t/ha. Could you comment about it, therefore it seems to me that this farmer could be the one to profit more with the use of high quality seeds.
The seeds, to respond adequately, need that the others agronomy practices be also used. Therefore, for a farmer that does not control the weeds, that sows out of the proper season, that has problems with water, and that does not correct the soil regarding fertilization, high quality seeds will not be effective, and as a result, could even be the reason for a bad perception value.
I have frequently heard that pirate seed market is increasing enough and putting in risk the development of new and better materials. Could you comment about that, since I have difficulties in understanding it?
The pirate seeds are those that are traded in an illegal way, in other words, without the authorization of the person or company who developed the material (variety). When that occurs, the obtainer does not receive his royalties and with that, he will not have resources to develop new and better materials, being fated to leave the business. Who loses with that is the consumer (society), since it will not receive better materials anymore, that currently they are also translated as nutritional quality, such as vitamins, special oils, medicines, among others.
It is known that the hybrids properly tested produce more than the varieties and that its harvest should be destined for grains as the performance decreases a lot in the second generation. Is there any process where the hybrid seeds can be used several times without losing its productivity potential?
Indeed, the hybrids produce more and they lose their potential in the second generation. However, where in grasses as Brachiaria the exception is in a hybrid was normally developed and the multiplication of the seeds occurred by apomixes in that the embryo is not formed by fecundation, therefore maintaining the characteristics of the mother-plant. This process is called apomixes, common in grasses. Let us not forget that the seed production of those materials require technology and management knowledge, therefore it is recommended to get the seeds.
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