Growing Own Seed Cuts
Farmer Costs, Opens New Markets
Developing high-performing varieties of
hybrid corn for the less productive agricultural
zones of the northeastern United States,
characterized by cool, wet summers and a
short growing season, poses challenges for
plant breeders. But Cornell University researchers
investigating open-pollinated (OP) varieties
of corn hope to enable Northeast farmers
to grow and select seed for their environment
and market conditions.
“Producing open-pollinated corn not
only keeps control over the seed supply close
to the grassroots, but also tailors varieties
to local environments, which is essential
to more sustainable production systems,” said
Margaret Smith, co-project leader.
By planting OP corn in areas with lower
yield potential, farmers can decrease costs
by growing and saving their own seed. “Since
the cost of hybrid seed is the same whether
you harvest 150 or 100 bushels per acre,
it represents a much larger proportion of
total costs for farmers in marginal areas
than it does in the Corn Belt,” said
Jane Mt. Pleasant, co-project leader. Moreover, “reduced
yields from OP corn may be more than offset
by the reduced cost of the seed.”
Some OP varieties proved competitive with
conventional hybrid varieties grown in control
plots, especially for silage. However, most
OP varieties produce lower grain yields than
the hybrids, and may tip over in the field,
hampering harvest. After two years of trials,
the researchers found that the best OP grain
yields were about 75 to 80 percent that of
commercial hybrids.
Growers looking for niche market opportunities
could raise multi-colored OP seed. Moreover,
OP corn is attractive to organic growers,
who must certify that their seed does not
contain genetically engineered material.
The researchers will publish information
about promising OP varieties and seed sources
in a catalog targeted at small dairy farmers,
seed producers, and Native American growers
who want to preserve traditional varieties.
Another Northeast SARE project helps farmers
integrate seed production and crop improvement
into their farming systems. “Seeds
grown by New England organic or sustainable
farmers can thrive without reliance on chemicals,” said
Eli Kaufman, co-coordinator of the nonprofit
Restoring Our Seed. “Season by season,
farmers are learning how to select for exactly
what we want: superior flavor, early maturity,
resistance to local pests and disease, and
reliability in our cool climate.”
The team of Extension educators, farmers,
seed-savers, and breeders from Maine, Vermont,
Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire
are conducting field days on seed selecting
for local adaptability and disease resistance;
hosting workshops on harvesting and cleaning;
and building local networks with farmers,
chefs, and seed companies to encourage direct
marketing of farm-bred varieties and seed.
The project team is also working to improve
heirloom tomatoes, preserve Native American
and rare vegetable varieties, and develop
a disease-resistant cucumber that makes a
tasty pickle.
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