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Contributed by gunew
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Mar 01, 2007 at 12:00 AM |
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The most compelling reason for using organic seed when growing organic crops is that seed produced organically causes less chemical impact on the environment. For many organic farmers, however, the disease resistance and productivity of conventionally produced seed varieties are two big factors in the success of their crops.
Until recently, few of these varieties were available as organically produced varieties, especially in the case of proprietary F-1 hybrids. That scarcity is changing due to the government’s encouragement and people’s improved awareness of environmental protection, which now requires that growers use Organic Seed if it is available.
Under the European Union Regulation on the organic production of agricultural products (2092/91), crops raised in organic systems should be grown from organically produced seed or vegetative material. However, the supply of organic seed is limited in the UK and in Europe as a whole, and so by way of derogation, the EU Regulation permits the use of untreated, conventional seed on organic farms only when an appropriate organic variety cannot be sourced. At the start of this project, the derogation period was due to end on 31 December 2000; however, it was extended in June 1999 to 31 December 2003, after which the use of conventional seed will not be permitted on organic farms.
Supporting organic seed farmers is supporting the environment, the quality of the air and water, and the health of the local inhabitants.
 
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Last Updated ( May 13, 2007 at 12:08 AM )
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Organic Seed Production in Topsource |
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Contributed by gunew
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Mar 01, 2007 at 12:01 AM |
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Dedication to producing only the highest quality seed, Topsource Seed supplies certified organic seed in Jiuquan where owns an ideal seed production climate with a choice of many micro-climates, soil types and temperature ranges.
To ensure international seed standards, the company’s professional production advisors visit the fields on a regular basis.
Rules and regulations
Organic seed production is carried out in accordance with the rules and regulations of the International Federation of Organic Movement. When growing seed crops for organic use, the usual conditions for an organic crop apply: an absolute ban on chemical fertilizers and chemical crop protection preparations. The soil in which the seed crop is grown must also be free from any of these preparations. Topsource Seed observes a transition period of two years. When processing organic seed after harvesting, no chemical disinfectants are used, either.
That is why the risks of growing an organic seed crop are very high, especially when it concerns biennial crops such as carrots and cabbage. An infection by insects, fungi or a virus can virtually not be controlled. Yields of organic seed crops are also lower than in traditional crops.
Wide range
Over the last couple of years, Topsource Seed has built up a wide range of organically-grown seeds which includes tomato, pepper, squash, and bean. Apart from being able to offer a range of organically-produced seeds, Topsource can also supply seed from traditionally-grown crops, which has been disinfected without the use of chemicals, when no organically-produced seed is available and the above rules apply too.
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Last Updated ( May 13, 2007 at 12:14 AM )
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Organic Seed Production 