This book is essentially a practical work, giving the basic requirements for the production of seed for agricultural crops. It contains enough fundamental information, however, to enable the reader to understand the reasoning behind the management practices discussed.
In the opening chapter, the author deals with the reproductive processes of plants and looks at the different ways in which plant breeders have constituted cultivars so as to affect seed growing practice. Subsequent chapters cover quality control during seed production; the points which a seed grower must bear in mind when growing a seed crop; and marketing and seed distribution. The remaining six chapters deal with the growing of seed of particular crops, grouped into: cereals, grasses, forage legumes, pulses, oilseeds, and forage crucifers and fodder beet. Within each of these crop-specific sections, material is arranged systematically, beginning with the species and common names. The main characteristics by which cultivars are classified and distinguished are then given, followed by the essential points to observe when growing a seed crop: isolation requirement, effects of previous cropping, difficult weeds, crop layout, seed crop management, crop inspection, harvesting, drying, seed cleaning and seed treatment. A final short note covers hybrid cultivars and the specific problems which they pose for the seed grower.
Publication Details
- Publisher: Wiley
- ISBN-10: 058240410
- Dewey Decimal: 631.521
- ECHO Library: 631.521 KEL