Grain Guide 2018

INSTITUTION EMAIL NUMBER South African National Seed Organisation (SANSOR) seedcert@sansor.co.za 012 472 9518 Approach seed treatment with caution Proven management plans that include rodenticides are available, therefore producers are advised to follow these management plans. Contact Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, director: Griffon Poison Information Centre at 082 446 8946 or nesher@tiscali.co.za in connection with these plans. Seed companies do not guarantee the quality of seed if the seed treat­ ment is not done by the seed company itself, or by a registered chemical supplier. The treatment for rhizobia is excluded. If a chemical supplier handles the treatment, he must be able to ensure that the treatment will not affect the germination. The chemicals used must also be registered in terms of Act No. 36 of 1947 and preferably be recommended by the seed company. Corné Louw, senior economist: Inputs, Grain SA Contacts: Seed DON’T MERELY TREAT SEED YOURSELF Dr Gerhard Verdoorn says: Agrochemicals are sometimes wrongly used for seed treatment to combat the effect of gerbils. This creates the risk of negatively affecting seed germination, and it can also cause environmental damage when seed is spilt during planting and eaten by birds and animals. “ ” 22 GRAIN GUIDE 2018 Seed