Bigger is better when it comes to seed – study

Larger seeds result in crops with significantly higher vigour, better emergence, taller plants and stronger roots, says a study.

The findings were uncovered by a series of independent field trials conducted by the testing and certification company SGS on behalf of the National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC).

The trials are being taken through to harvest when final yield results will also be analysed. Results are likely to be particularly pertinent for growers facing challenges around risk management challenges this autumn and next spring.

Farm-saved seed is seen as one way of keeping a lid on rising input costs. But farmers will need a tight juggling act to balance crop establishment and agronomy costs with cash flow and volatile commodity prices.

Higher yields

NAAC seed section chairman Richard Jones said: “By selecting the largest seed sizes, growers can help their crop get well-established and ahead to potentially benefit from higher yields in the final harvest.”

For the best results, growers should use quality processed farm-saved seed, selected for size to balance cost and output, said Mr Jones. So-called barn-dipped seed – which wasn’t screened or gravity-selected – was not a proven route to success.

“When a mobile seed processor is employed the waste fraction is also left on the farm, to be sold or used as feed. This way there is no waste, saving money, while selecting the best seed for cropping.”

Integrated farm management techniques would help growers minimise the need to apply nutrients and plant protection products – but the seed itself remained the building blocks of the following crop, said Mr Jones.

The trial saw winter wheat and spring barley seeds sorted into four different sizes and then drilled in field conditions. Results to date show that larger seeds perform significantly better than smaller seeds when receiving the same inputs pre- and post- drilling.

The NAAC says this shows that farm-saved seed should be sorted by size to ensure that each drilled seed is selected for its optimal potential, so any benefits of applying fertiliser and other inputs can be maximised.

The NAAC’s Mobile Seed Section of the includes seed processors from across the UK, who deliver professional seed processing services to farmers and growers.