The advent of improved seeds has been of great succor to humanity. As population increases incessantly, it’s quite unfortunate that, arable land spaces are being engrossed with residential structures and other projects which displaces the effective use of land to be tilled and feed this upsurging populace. In recent times, activities of farmers in our tropical region are being intersected with global trends in the upscaling demand for food, climate change, competition for land, water and energy resources, dietary preference, and the emergence of new technologies. Heirlooms are losing their efficacy as they are continually inhibited by pest and diseases as they’ve built resistance over the years.  Moreover, these seeds have several characteristics which when given more attention, cannot suffice and feed the increasing world numbers. Some notable characteristics are slow growth, less adaptive to stress, production of plants with smaller fruits, low yields and short shelf life. Considering the aforementioned traits, it’s of germane interest to consider the improvement of these heirlooms, should humanity see the need to be nourished as we multiply.

What Are Improved Seeds?

These are seeds bred to enhance their characteristics and performance. In simple terms, it’s built with genetic information (software) which tells the plant exactly what to do when it grows up, so it can feed all of us. To us, we consider it an amazing technology but quite often we take it for granted. In this seed, we have the power to increase yield on the same plot of land. In improved seed, we can now record climate smart varieties which can withstand extreme weather such as flood, drought, frost and wind. Another important factor to note is that, we can immunize our plants/crops against pest and diseases which can wipe out our entire harvest. Lately, breeders are focusing on some of the needs we have as consumers, including high nutrition and longer shelf-life. But the most amazing thing about these seeds is that, farmers do not need any additional training to use them. However, getting a new variety is the first step in unleashing this great potential.  

They are usually in two forms, namely;

1.       Open Pollinated Varieties (OPV)

2.       Hybrids

Lately, adding to the list is Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) whose acceptance has become a controversy, especially in our Sub-Saharan Africa. There’s a contrasting difference between hybrids and OPVs and they are discussed below.

Open Pollinated Varieties

Open pollination is when birds, insects, wind, you, me or other natural instrument creates pollination. Because open pollination is uncontrolled and unrestricted on movement or flow of pollens between individuals and plants, open pollinated plants are usually more genetically diverse.

This causes an amazing variation within plant populations, which ultimately allows them to adopt to local growing conditions and climates every year. Seeds coming from open-pollinated variety of plants can be replanted and you can still expect the same exact plant growing out of it.  They have shown great performance over the years. Farmers are always advised to pick up their seed stock from trusted sources like Demeter Ghana Limited which import quality vegetable seeds.

OPV Seeds

Below is an overview of the OPV crops farmers need to look out for, with their characteristics and yield index.

1.                  De Cayenne Pepper

Chili de Cayenne is a popular and widespread chili variety. Adult plants are 60 to 80 cm (2 - 2.6 ft.) high and carry many thin-fleshed pods. Their chilies are often dried and ground into cayenne pepper. Goulash, stews and chicken get a tasty spice with the chili flavouring.

2.                  Nantes Carrot

This type is almost perfectly cylindrical; it's round at the tip and top. It has sparse foliage and near-red flesh that is sweet in flavour and has a nice crunch. The name Nantes originates from the Atlantic coast of France which has ideal conditions for growing this type of carrot

3.                  Poinsett 76 Cucumber

Poinsett 76 are straight, dark green, non-bitter and delightfully crisp cucumbers. They are 7 – 8” long with a 2 – 2½” diameter. With the market dominated by hybrids, Poinsett 76 is one of the best open-pollinated, classic slicing cucumbers. Very popular in the 1980’s & 1990’s, we have become impressed with its overall vigour, productivity and disease resistance. Resistant to many common diseases that plague cucumber plants, including powdery & downy mildew, anthracnose, angular leaf spot, and scab. If you have trouble growing cucumbers, give these a whirl!

4.                  Petomech Tomato

The tomato seed for the Petomech produce a rare medium-early variety of tomato. A high yielding compact outdoor tomato plant with resistance against insects and disease. Firm fruit and long storage life, ideal for sauces. The Petomech is a Determinate/Bush/Compact (D) variety of tomato.

Hybrid Seeds

The seed (the F1 generation) produced from a cross between genetically dissimilar parents and the hybrid vigor or heterosis is the absolute phenomenon where expression of the characteristics such as growth-related traits, flowering and yield fall outside the range of its parents with superiority. Pollen from male parent (pollen parent) will pollinate, fertilize, and set seeds in female (seed parent) to produce F1 hybrid seeds. In simple terms, hybrid seeds are a product of hybridization. For production of a hybrid crossing between two parents is important, the crossing process will result in heterosis. Desired traits of hybrids are better yield, greater uniformity, improved quality, disease resistance and wider adaptations. Hybrid seeds popular in FIELD CROPS are maize (corn), sorghum, pearl millet, rice, cotton, sunflower, pigeon pea, castor, mustard. Notable hybrid seeds among vegetable crops also are tomato, okra, cabbage, chilly, radish, onion, carrot, potato, eggplant, major cucurbits and cauliflower.

    Karibo White Cabbage

Karibo is a semi-round white cabbage with a medium to late maturity. Karibo’s large plant frame and strong wrapper leaves ensure it travels well to far-away markets, as the head is well protected thereby ensuring better quality and prices. The head is very compact with a small core. This variety has exceptional standing ability at full maturity. It’s white in nature, medium to late maturity of 85-105 days after transplanting, strong vigor, green leaf color and 2-4 kg head weight.

Disease Resistance/Tolerance
Intermediate Resistance: Black Rot

Until the introduction of Improved seeds, agriculture wasn’t the way of life for so many people but rather, a way out of poverty. Although improved seeds are considered breakthrough for farmers as they can now record great yields, low cost of production while maximizing profits and improvement in standard of living. Regardless of this significance, it’s imperative to note that there’s always room for improvement to enhance their capabilities and realize even much more yield. This potential can be achieved when improved seeds are treated with inoculants., which I will discuss in my next post.

Get in touch today and every time to understand more about improved seeds and the need to adopt this technology.