The Quality of Farmers’ Seeds: Case Study in Bohol, Philippines
Year: 2001
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This study was conducted to evaluate the
quality of farmers’ seeds and assess farmers’ methods in
producing and maintaining seeds. Samples of farm-saved PSB RC 18 and
IR 66 collected at random from different farmers in Bilar, Bohol and
registered PSB RC 18 were tested for physical purity, total
germination, speed of germination, moisture content and seed health.
A sample of farmers' PSB RC 18 and registered PSB RC 18 were grown
in the field to evaluate genetic purity and grain weight.
Results of the study showed that farmers'
seeds were of high quality in terms of physical purity, percentage
germination, germination at first count and moisture content.
Farmers' seeds also complied with standards for physical purity,
germination and moisture content. Farmers' seeds were also found to
have similar qualities as registered seeds in terms of physical
purity, total germination, germination at first count, moisture
content and grain yield. However, farmers' seeds were of slightly
lower quality than registered seeds in terms of seed health and
genetic purity.
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Farmers have been using their own saved seeds for
staple crops since time immemorial. Seed saving after every harvest is a
common practice by farmers to ensure seed availability the following
season (Almekinders et al 1994). However, there is a general tendency by
the formal seed sector (public and private seed growers and the
government) to replace farmers' seeds with formally-released seeds. The
formal seed sector has always assumed that farmers' seeds are of poor
quality and that only they can provide farmers with good quality seeds.
This is evident in seed-related policies of the government, wherein the
government promotes the use of certified seeds to ensure high yield.
Despite the efforts of the formal seed sector, farmers continue to use
their own saved seeds since these are readily available, cheap and are of
assured quality. In fact, it is estimated that farmers' seeds comprise 80%
of seed requirements in most developing countries (Almekinders et al 1994
and Fernandez and Zamora 1995).
This study was conducted to evaluate the quality of
farmers' seeds and compare them with registered seeds and standards for
seed certification. Specifically, this study was conducted with the
following objectives:
- to evaluate the physical and genetic purity,
viability, vigor, seed health, moisture content and field performance of
farmers' seeds and
- to determine the criteria and methods of farmers in
producing and maintaining good quality seeds.
The hypothesis of the study is that farmers are able to
provide good quality seeds with respect to some of the technical criteria
of seed quality. Establishing the quality of farmers' seeds will help in
determining weaknesses in farmers’ seeds and practices and provide a
venue for improvement. The determined quality of farmers' seeds would
hopefully encourage the formal seed sector, especially the government, to
recognize farmers' seeds and the capability of farmers to produce good
quality seeds at least for rice.
The study was conducted in Bohol, Philippines from
November 1996 to August 1998. Seed samples of rice c.v. IR 66 and PSB RC
18 were used for the study. Samples of farm-saved seeds of IR 66 and PSB
RC 18 were obtained from five farmers in Bilar, Bohol.
Seed samples used for the study
|
Entry |
Variety |
No. of seasons grown upon acquisition |
Source |
|
Reg. |
Registered PSB RC 18 |
Since 1994 |
PhilRice |
|
Reg. |
Registered PSB RC 18 |
Not known |
BES |
|
F1 |
PSB RC 18 |
1 |
C. Lamanilao |
|
F2 |
PSB RC 18 |
Not known |
Calamba Rice Milling |
|
F3 |
IR 66 |
18 |
A. Ramada |
|
F4 |
IR 66 |
18 |
A. Calamba |
|
F5 |
IR 66 |
18 |
C. Lamanilao |
|
F6 |
IR 66 |
18 |
P. Periolo |
These farmers were chosen at random from a group of
farmers collaborating with the project. PSB RC 18 collected from these
farmers has been grown for less than a year while collected IR 66 have
been grown for 18 seasons. Registered PSB RC 18 was obtained from the
Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and the Bohol Experimental
Station (BES). Registered IR 66 was not available during the time of study
thus it was not evaluated. The seeds were tested using laboratory
techniques (physical purity, total germination, speed of germination, seed
health and moisture content) and field techniques i.e. genetic purity and
grain yield.
Tests conducted on the seed samples
|
Entry |
Variety |
Source |
Physical Purity |
Genetic Purity |
Germination |
Speed of Germination |
Health |
Moisture Content |
Grain Yield |
|
Reg. |
Registered RC 18 |
Philippine Rice Research Institute |
4 |
|
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
|
Reg. |
Registered RC 18 |
Bohol Experimental Station |
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
F1 |
RC 18 |
C. Lamanilao |
4 |
|
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
|
F2 |
RC 18 |
Calamba Rice Milling |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
F3 |
IR 66 |
A. Ramada |
4 |
|
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
|
F4 |
IR 66 |
A. Calamba |
4 |
|
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
|
F5 |
IR 66 |
C. Lamanilao |
4 |
|
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
|
F6 |
IR 66 |
P. Periolo |
4 |
|
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
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A check (4 ) means that the specified test was performed on an entry
For the laboratory test, about 1-2 kg of seeds was
obtained for each sample while 40 kg of seeds were used for the field
evaluation.
Laboratory tests
Physical purity
Forty grams of seeds in three replicates were drawn at
random from each sample and separated into pure seed, inert matter and
seeds of other species (including weed seeds) as defined by the
International Seed Testing Association or ISTA (1985). The components of
each replicate of each sample were weighed after separation. Data gathered
were avaraged for each sample. All seed samples were tested for physical
purity.
Germination
Pure seeds from the purity test (including discolored,
diseased, shrivelled and immature seeds and offtypes) were soaked in water
for 24 hours. The samples were soaked separately. Seeds that floated were
removed as they would no longer germinate (usually immature and diseased
seeds).
After soaking, 400 seeds in three replicates were drawn
at random from each sample and divided into four subsamples with 100 seeds
for each subsample. These seeds were laid in separate moist paper towels.
The paper towels were rolled, placed on a tray and covered with a plastic
sheet to prevent evaporation. The seeds were incubated at room
temperature. The paper towels were moistened when dry.
Seeds and seedlings of each subsample of each replicate
for each sample were observed on the 5th day. They were
classified into dead seeds, normal seedlings and abnormal seedlings
according to ISTA (1985).
They were counted, recorded and removed from the paper
towels to prevent overgrowth and possible infection. A second observation
was conducted on the 14th day. Seeds that did not germinate
were classified as nonviable. Percentage germination was calculated as
follows:
% Germination = Number of normal seedlings / Total
number of seeds x 100
Data gathered were averaged for each sample. All seed
samples were tested for germination.
Speed of germination
This was measured based on percentage germination of
the seeds on the 5th day of incubation. Data gathered were
averaged for each sample. All seed samples were tested for speed of
germination.
Seed health
Four-hundred seeds (or 10 grams) in three replicates
were drawn at random from each sample and searched for ergots and other
sclerotia, nematode galls, smut balls, insects, mites and evidence of
diseases and pests on seeds. Seeds were examined by the naked eye (without
the aid of a microscope). Results were expressed as percentage by number
of seeds affected. Data gathered were avaraged for each sample. All seed
samples were tested for seed health.
Moisture content
Twenty grams of seeds in three replicates were drawn at
random from each sample and divided into four sub-samples wherein each
sub-sample consists of 5g of seeds. These seeds were tested for moisture
content using a moisture tester (Kett Riceter model: J301). Data gathered
were averaged for each sample. All seed samples were tested for seed
health.
Field tests
Only two seed samples were used for the field tests,
namely Mr. Calamba’s PSB RC 18 and registered PSB RC 18, since they were
the only varieties with sufficient amount of seeds for field planting.
These seeds were soaked in water for 24 hours and incubated by placing
soaked seeds in sacks and covering them with dried rice straw. After 36
hours of incubation, seeds were sown on a seedbed and allowed to grow for
18 days. Seedlings were transplanted on Mr. Per Periolo’s field
following Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications.
Mr. Periolo fertilized the field with inorganic fertilizer (14-14-14). To
prevent insect infestation, chemical control was used.
Genetic purity
Genetic purity test was performed in the field
following ISTA (1985). Farmers performed the genetic purity evaluation
since they were the ones most familiar and most experienced with different
rice varities. Moreover, they are the ones directly affected by genetic
purity. Their participation in the activity would determine how farmers
regard genetic purity and offtypes. Thirteen farmers participated in the
activity. During flowering stage, farmers evaluated the plants and
observed the field for offtypes. Farmers observed all replicates of each
seed sample.
Grain yield
A 1m2 plot was measured in each replicate of
each seed sample. Seeds obtained from each plot were dried for one day and
weighed. Data were analysed using ANOVA.
Interview with farmers
A total of 10 farmers were interviewed to obtain data
on their criteria and practices in the production, maintenance of seeds
and experiences with certified seeds. Of these 10 farmers, three farmers
contributed seeds for the study. They were Mr. Per Periolo, Ms. Cesaria
Lamanilao and Ms. Ana Calamba.
Almekinders C J M and Louwaars N P (1999) Farmers’
Seed Production: New Approaches and Practices, Intermediate Technology
Publications, UK.
Almekinders C J M, Louwaars N P and Bruijn G H (1994)
Local seed systems and their importance for an improved seed supply in
developing countries, Euphytica 78:207-216.
Fernandez PG (1997) Indigenous seed practices for
sustainable agriculture, http://www.nufficcs.nl/ciran/ikdm/2-2/articles/fernandez.html
Fernandez P G and Zamora O B (1995) Farmer-based
variety development, maintenance and genetic conservation in the
Philippines, Paper presented at the Workshop on Integrated Seed Systems
for a Low-input Agriculture, MARIF, Malang, Indonesia.
ISTA (International Seed Testing Association) (1985)
International rules for seed testing, Seed Science and Technology,
13(2): 300-520.
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