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Check seed for germination and seedborne diseases

Test seed for seedborne diseases and germination.

Saving seed can look an attractive way to save money, but you must know what you are dealing with.  You cannot assess germination of the presence of seed borne diseases just by looking at a sample.

Germination test is required to ensure the seed is viable.  Loose smut and leaf stripe tests would help determine the overall health of the seed and help you decide on the appropriate seed treatment. 

Recent research at SAC has shown that Rhychosporium on the seed can also be important. It can lead to early infections in the spring which require more fungicide inputs.  It is too early to comment on which seed treatment may reduce this, but Raxil pro may have some impact on seed borne infection.

For organic seed, disease tests are essential, since seedborne diseases can increase substantially if a low level of disease was present in the seed used the previous season.