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SEED/
SAAD
Steps to address seed quality problems
Undesirable seed quality can affect the success of
your crop. It is important to address the problem
as soon as possible to ensure it is done effectively.
If you suspect or experience any problems with
seed quality, you should take the following steps:
•
Contact the representative from whom the seed
was bought as soon as possible and insist on
an investigation on site. Also keep a record of
dates and conversations.
•
Gather and write down as much information as
possible, take photos or make videos to refer
back to later.
If the problem is not resolved, do not wait too
long before considering the steps below:
• Contact an independent scientist to do an inves-
tigation on site.
• Inform Grain SA if the seed company cannot
provide the required attention and solutions for
the relevant problems.
If a producer still suspects that there are problems
with the seed he planted after the matter was
taken up with the representative and the company
that provided the seed, he can contact the Depart-
ment of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. This
department will carry out a trade control investi-
gation in terms of the Plant Improvement Act.
Producers are recommended to keep record of
batch code numbers, as reference samples of all
seed batches are available for dispute investiga-
tions from the relevant registered seed labora-
tories where quality controls are carried out.
When purchasing seed, request the germinating
percentage for the seed lot concerned. Producers
are advised to retain the actual bag containing
all the necessary traceable information for refer-
ence purposes.
Contact persons
Eastern Cape regional representatives:
Gerald Jack: Port Elizabeth, 041 484 2725
Felicity Daniels: Port Elizabeth, 041 484 2725
Free State regional representative:
Zanele Buhlungu: Bloemfontein, 051 406 0967
Gauteng regional representative:
Christo Botha: Pretoria, 012 319 6139
Western Cape regional representative:
Christo Gouws: Stellenbosch, 021 809 1709
Corné Louw, senior economist: Inputs, Grain SA
Treatment of seed essential
Seed companies do not guarantee the quality of
seed if the seed treatment is not done by the seed
company itself, or by a registered chemical supplier
that uses equipment and processes that are ISO
accredited. 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 for the cultivar concerned.
It is therefore recommended that producers who
do not purchase treated seed but prefer to have it
treated later, do this in collaboration with the seed
company concerned.
Corné Louw, senior economist: Inputs, Grain SA
Dr Gerhard Verdoorn says the following:
Agrochemicals are sometimes wrongly used
for seed treatment to combat the effect of ger-
bils. This creates the risk of negatively affecting
seed germination, and it can also cause envi-
ronmental damage when seed is spilt during
planting and eaten by birds and animals. When
gerbils have to be controlled, there are proven
management plans that include rodenticides,
and producers are therefore advised to follow
these management plans.