SEED SAVING. Seed Saving. What is a seed? 2/17/2016. Growing vegetables is like babysitting, growing seeds is like having children.

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1 SEED SAVING Creating a Seed Legacy By Lynda Garvin Agriculture Agent Sandoval County (505) lgarvin@nmsu.edu & Dr. Stephanie Walker NMSU Vegetable Specialist Growing vegetables is like babysitting, growing seeds is like having children. unknown Seed Saving Living time capsule of a plants DNA Protective package Food energy storage from germination to first leaf production What is a seed? 1

2 Seeds a genetic Legacy Seeds tell the story of hundreds and thousands of years of careful selection of the most resilient, best adapted to local conditions, healthiest, and tastiest food crops Preserving the flavor and uniqueness of local vegetables, grains, and fruits Seeds The knowledge of pollination, crop purity, harvesting, and storage of seeds was part of survival and learned within the family and community. US over 90 percent of our historic fruit and vegetable varieties have vanished Of the 7,000 apple varieties grown in the 1800 s fewer than 100 remain Worldwide over half the food varieties lost over the past 100 years Lost Forever 2

3 516 lost Seed Patenting Laws = big profits The germ- plasm for new patented seeds comes from old varieties that are fast disappearing Seed Politics Diversity of food helps maintain food security Genetic diversity is needed to respond to climate change Avoid catastrophic crop losses due to plant diseases and insect pests Who cares? 3

4 A Tale of Caution In 1979 & 1980 the entire hybrid rice crop in India was decimated by rice blight An obscure local rice variety that was resistant to the disease saved the day Irish Potato Famine 1845 late blight infected the potato crop Introduced from the new world only a few varieties grown in Europe million people died from starvation and subsequent diseases Resistant varieties from the Andes saved the day Peru has over 3,000 varieties of potatoes Genetic diversity and resistant varieties no potato famine here! Why should you save seeds? Create your own legacy Reproduce cultivars that do well in your area Ensure long-term survival of excellent cultivars Food & genetic diversity Saves money Ensure clean, pure seed Fun and empowering 4

5 Let s get Started Things you need to know a little about to succeed: Scientific Nomenclature Plant Flower Biology Pollination Genetic Purity/Isolation Harvesting Storage Scientific Nomenclature Many plants have different common names Scientific Nomenclature is a system that keeps us all on the same page about plant identification 1727 Charles Linnaeus Family: Solanaceae Genus: Capsicum Species: annuum First described by Linneaus: L. Cultivar: NuMex Garnet NuMex Garnet Chile Capsicum annuum L. NuMex Garnet 5

6 So what? Critical to know genus & species of vegetables Crossing is rare between plants of different species Vegetable plants usually cross with plants of same species for viable seed however, Crosses between different cultivars from same species will result in off-type seed for example. What does this mean for seed saving? Seed saved from hybrids will not be uniform (true to type) you must buy seed from supplier each year if want the same results showmeoz.wordpress.com Pumpkins, Squash and Gourds Cucurbita Species Pumpkins C. pepo Pie, Miniatures C. maxima Jack O Lantern C. moschata Crookneck pumpkins C. Cushaw argyrosperma Summer Squash Crookneck, Zucchini Winter Squash Acorn, Fordhook Hubbard, Banana Butternut Cushaw Ornamental squash Gourds Turban 6

7 Flower Biology Stamens Male floral structures Anther and filament Pollen producing Female floral structure Stigma and style Site of fertilization Fruit produced at base of pistil in ovary Pistil 7

8 Types of flowers Imperfect flowers: contain either male or female parts Perfect flowers: contain both male (stamen) and female (pistil) parts Perfect Chile Flower Which are the male and female parts? Stigma Anther Imperfect Squash Flowers Male Flower Female Flower 8

9 Life Cycle - Annual Plants Complete the life cycle seed to seed - in one growing season Lettuce, tomatoes, beans, chile, most herbs and many flowers Life Cycle Biennial Plants Crops that typically produce seed in the second year -onions -carrots Brassica family kale, chard, collards, cabbage, broccoli Avoid saving seed from plants that have bolted set seed prematurely Pollination Basic Concepts 9

10 Pollination Pollen is transferred from the male (anthers) to the female parts of a flower (pistil) to produce viable seed Occurs between plants from the same species (with exceptions) Male - tassels Female - silk Cross pollination (outbreeding): pollen comes from a flower of a different plant Self pollination (inbreeding): pollen moves from anther to stigma of the same flower or another flower on the same plant Pollination Dioecious (two houses): There are separate male (produce pollen) and female (produce seed) plants Examples: Spinach, Asparagus, Mulberry Do dioecious plants selfor cross-pollinate? Types of Plants 10

11 Types of Plants Monoecious plants have separate male and female flowers on the same plant Examples: most Melons, Squash, Cucumbers, Corn, Gourds Do monoecious plants self- or cross-pollinate? Open Pollinated Plants Simply means the flower is pollinated randomly wind, self, insects, animals, water Hybrids are specifically cross pollinated mechanically or by hand - not open pollinated showmeoz.wordpress.com Cross Pollinating Vegetables that usually crosspollinate: Onions, Sweet Corn, Squash, Melons, Spinach, Apples, grapes, plums, pears, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, runner beans, pumpkins In-breeding depression often occurs when these crops are continually self-pollinated Larger populations of these plants must be maintained to preserve seed vigor & viability Greater genetic diversity Needs pollinators wind, insects 11

12 Self Pollinating (Selfers) Vegetables that show little crosspollination: Beans, lettuce, tomato peanuts, peas, sunflowers, wheat, barley, oats, rice, potatoes, apricots and peaches. Pollen transferred to the stigma in the same flower or flower on the same plant The flower structure of many heirloom tomatoes (long pistil) may result in more cross-pollination Genetically more uniform Doesn t need pollinators Vegetables that are Pollinated by Windborne Pollen: At least 1 mile isolation between varieties is recommended Corn, Beets, Swiss Chard, Spinach (2 mi.) Vegetable that are Pollinated by Insect-borne Pollen Isolation distances depend on crop and insect specifics Broccoli (Brassicas)- ~1/2 mile Melons, Squash (Cucurbits) ~1/2 mile Carrots ~1 mile Onion ~1 mile 12

13 Chile Pepper Pollination Chile Peppers: Have perfect flowers (male and female parts) and easily self-pollinate However, crosspollination will occur if bees or other pollinators are active The amount of crosspollination depends on the number of pollinators in the area Caging for Seed Purity If you lack isolation, seed cages can be used to produce true-to-type seed for vegetable cultivars that are cross-pollinated by insects Procedure used for NMSU s Chile Pepper Breeding Program Keeping Your Seed Pure 13

14 Maintaining Purity Hand pollinating Staggered planting dates (2-4 weeks) Grow only one variety of any one species at a time Isolation cages Bag flowers Hybrid (F1): The firstgeneration seed obtained from crossing two different inbred lines / plants - Includes most commercially sold seed Basic Genetics Heirloom & Land Races In past history, our ancestors did not have access to commercial seed Seed was saved from the best, most productive plant year after year, generation after generation Heirloom and landrace cultivars resulted from these efforts 14

15 Heirloom Tomatoes Brandywine Purple Cherokee Hungarian Heart Many others. Available today because individuals, families, or communities cherished them & saved seed! ges/heirloom-tomatoes jpg New Mexican Landrace Chiles Developed after many generations of selection Renown for excellent flavor Early maturing; adapted for short growing season Chimayó and other landrace cultivars are New Mexico s own heirlooms Endangered? Choosing the best seeds Healthy plants Undamaged seed Do not keep from diseased plants Save seed from as many plants as possible 15

16 Two basic seed saving techniques Wet Seed Have pulp Seeds need to be separated from the pulp Rinse seeds in strainer Clean Dry Tomatoes, cucumbers, tomatillos, squash, melons Dry Seed Allow seeds to dry on the plant Harvest and clean chaff from seeds Store Beans, flowers, greens, okra, corn, peppers, herbs. Solanaceae family (tomato, eggplant, tomatillos) have a seed coat that prevents them from germinating In nature this would happen in the gut of an animal For us we need to put them in water Fermentation Fungus to the Rescue A layer of fungus will appear on the top of the mixture after a 2-3 days. This fungus consumes the gelatinous coat that surrounds each seed and prevents germination. It also produces antibiotics that help to control seedborne diseases like bacterial spot, canker, and speck. Strain & rinse until clean Dry 16

17 Tomatoes HARVEST: Allow to completely ripen before harvesting for seed. Unripe fruits will ripen slowly if kept in a cool, dry location. Seeds from green, unripe fruits will be most viable if extracted after allowing the fruits to turn color. Peppers - Capsicum annuum Includes NM varieties, bell peppers jalapeños, poblanos, cayenne, chiltepins & northern New Mexico landraces Scrape seed to paper towel Dry 2 weeks before storing Use gloves and glasses for hot peppers Select tan, beige, or yellowish seeds White seeds are not mature (These can all easily cross- pollinate) Rodale Organic Life Summer Squash, Cucumbers & Melons Great care must be taken to prevent crosspollination with other related varieties. Allow fruit to become overripe but not rotten. Cut fruit open and remove seed. Rinse in a strainer and let dry. 17

18 Winter Squash/Pumpkin PROCESS: Chop open hard-shelled fruits and scoop out seeds (finger nail test) Rinse clean in wire strainer with warm, running water. Dry with towel and spread on board or cookie sheet to complete drying. Beans HARVEST: Allow pods to dry brown before harvesting, about six weeks after eating stage. If frost threatens, pull entire plant, root first, and hang in cool, dry location until pods are brown. PROCESS: Small amounts of pods can be opened by hand. Flail larger amounts. Remove large chaff by hand or fork. Winnow remaining particles PLANT: For purity, separate different cultivars by at least 1 mile. Reasonable results are obtained with separation of 1000 feet. Or just grow one variety Corn 18

19 Corn HARVEST: Corn seed is usually ready to be harvested 4-6 weeks after eating stage. If growing season is not long enough, pick ears after husks turn brown. Pull back husks and complete drying in cool, dry location. PROCESS: Process all but very large amounts of seed by gripping dried ears by hand and twisting allowing kernels to fall into container Separate varieties flowering at the same time by at least 20 feet to ensure purity. Wait until half the flowers on each plant has gone to seed. Cut entire top of plant and allow to dry upside down in an open paper bag. Lettuce Allow seed heads to dry on stalk Remove seed heads Clean chaff from seeds Store Flowers 19

20 Storage 3-5 years Frozen seeds 10+ years Air tight (protect from moisture) Glass jars with lids Envelopes or bags Ziploc for freezing only Dark, cool, dry place Optimal temperature degrees with 25% humidity (Refrigerator) FYI Cold Stratification Perennials may need to be stored in temps between 33 and 40 minimum 8 weeks Do not freeze unless you are sure there is less than 10% moisture Put between moist paper towel in plastic zip bag Lavender Milkweed Butterfly bush Some seeds with hard seed coats need to be scratched and soaked before planting Mimosa Trumpet Vines FYI Scarification 20

21 Resources free download manual* (Teaching resources) Thank you! Sandoval County Seed Library WELCOME A Project of SCMGs, located in the Esther Bone Memorial Library, to preserve our agriculture heritage by: o Distributing vegetable, herb, and flower seeds to the public o Accepting, and preparing for distribution, seeds from the public o Providing seed starting and seed saving education to the public 21

22 Sandoval County Seed Library How to Borrow Seeds Fill out a Membership Form found on top of card catalog (provide contact info if you want news letters/class notifications) Find the seeds you want in the card catalog (these are just sample-size packets organized by common name) List each variety you select on the Membership Form (your form will be in the book if you come back for more) Sandoval County Seed Library How to Donate Seeds Collect seeds from your crops set aside some for you and some for the Library Bring your labeled seeds to the Library o Each variety in separate envelope/container o Fill out separate Seed Donation Form with information about each variety o Place seeds in donation box below the card catalog Fill out Membership Form if you haven t already 22