SEED PRODUCTION IN NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 79, Issue 6, 15 December 1949, Page 533

SEED PRODUCTION IN NEW ZEALAND

Grass and Clover Seed Certification

By

J. H. CLARIDGE

Superintendent of the Seed

Industry, Department of Agriculture, Wellington. “IV/HAT has been the main contribution to ** pasture improvement in recent years?” If this question were addressed to many New Zealand farmers, their answer doubtless would be “seed certification.” But is this really the correct answer? Only in so far as a seed certification scheme enables seed to be certified and provides a means of identifying type or strain which cannot be recognised from an examination of the seed itself. In the series of articles on seed production in New Zealand which has appeared in recent issues of “The New Zealand Journal of Agriculture” frequent reference has been made to seed certification. In this article of the series the scheme as a whole is described and its effect on pasture production discussed. TWENTY years ago the Department of Agriculture introduced a scheme of certification covering grass and clover seeds. Before that certain farmers claimed superior results with seed from certain districtsHawkes Bay, Poverty Bay, and Sandon ryegrasses for instance were recognised in some quarters as being better in production and permanence than ryegrasses from other districts; cocksfoot seed from Akaroa had already gained a reputation both locally and overseas. The superiority of seeds of certain origin was not generally recognised, however, nor were those who had formed opinions for themselves always able to purchase seed of the origin they preferred. The buyer was unable to obtain an assurance that any line of seed was what it was claimed to be. Disquieting Situation During the 1920’s information was gradually becoming available from the results of investigation into pasture plants. This disclosed a very disquieting situation. Very

few good lines of perennial ryegrass existed outside the three districts already mentioned, and even within these areas lines of poor type could be found. A really satisfactory line of Italian ryegrass could not be located anywherethe best lines were only fair; the worst were hybrid types, which were sold either as Italian or as perennial ryegrass, depending on the market. They possessed none of the good qualities of either Italian or perennial ryegrass, but behaved in a manner far inferior to either species. Much seed was sown as Western Wolths, but a genuine line of this variety could not be found; it was just another name for Italian ryegrass. There did appear to be a degree of uniformity in lines of cocksfoot seed, but as many tons of seed of Danish origin had been imported from time to time, there were grave doubts that all lines finally would prove to be of the strain originating on Banks Peninsula. Browntop was found to be uneven in type, due, on the one hand, to mixture and hybridisation with other species of Agrostis and, on the other, to the development of specific regional strains. The descriptive terms applied to lines of red clover seed appeared to have no real merit. Cowgrass contained the same range of plant types as giant red clover, and in similar proportions, and buyers were misled by the attempts to create distinct types by the use of different names. At this stage Montgomery red clover had not been introduced into New Zealand and all lines of locally-grown red clover were very similar in composition. The position regarding white clover was also obscure.' Some areas were located in which a truly permanent, leafy, and high-producing strain was flourishing, but in many areas, particularly in arable districts, white clover had deteriorated virtually to an annual. This type of plant had low production and its claim to permanence was based on its ability to re-establish each season by seeding. Isolation of Superior Strains The picture of pasture plants in New Zealand before the introduction of seed certification was certainly far from rosy, though there were bright spots. Some good lines of perennial ryegrass and white clover could be found, and nowhere in seed-producing areas did it appear that Danish cocksfoot had become established. Though local strains of Italian ryegrass were so mediocre, New Zealand was fortunate in receiving from Europe two or three parcels of

Italian ryegrass seed of very good type. There were large areas of browntop of pure and uniform type which were capable of producing seed ideal for incorporation in lawn grass mixtures and, at least, there was no great variation in red clover types. It is true that even in the best lines of pasture species a considerable range of type could be seen in individual plants. Though under plot conditions these differences passed quite . unnoticed, they were all too apparent when species were grown out as individuals. This weakness proved to be a blessing, as it enabled superior plant strains of all New Zealand’s main pasture species to be isolated. This work led to the development of pedigree strains, which today play such an important part in New Zealand grassland farming. In other countries work on pasture species has been undertaken and the discoveries made have been similar to those in New Zealand, but in no other country have these discoveries been extended so far into standard farming practices as they have in New Zealand. The reason for this is undoubtedly that in New Zealand a means —seed certificationwas developed which enabled the findings and results of research into pasture plants to be Carried right through to the practical farmer on his own land. That is the real purpose of the scheme of seed certification, which was first introduced to meet the demand for better seed potatoes and seed wheat, but was rapidly modified to meet, first, the necessity for identifying seed of superior natural strains of pasture plants and, later, the seed of pedigree strains as these were evolved. What is really meant by the value of seed certification is the value of the strains of seeds which are recognised under the certification scheme. Operation of Scheme Though the scheme of seed certification in New Zealand is operated by the Department of Agriculture as an impartial body to give the seed buyer an assurance of the strain of seed he is purchasing, its success has resulted from the close co-operation of three parties: The farmer growing the seed, the merchant who does the cleaning and marketing of it, and the officer of the Department of Agriculture responsible for the certification of it. Seed certification is not operated under any Act or Regulation; it is controlled by the Department of Agriculture, but depends for its success upon the goodwill of all co-operating parties. Experience over the 20 years the scheme has been operating proves that the present method of administering it is the most satisfactory. The aim of any certification scheme is to give the buyer of seed an assurance regarding some point of quality which cannot be determined readily by an examination of the seed itself, and it is widely recognised that strain in pasture plants cannot be so determined. This places the purchaser at a disadvantage, as hardly ever is he in a position to observe, even less to evaluate, the plants from which the seed is saved. The certification scheme provides, in the interests of the buyer, for the strain of plant to be deter-

mined satisfactorily and for the resultant seed to be identified under seal until the time comes for it to be sown for further pasture establishment. Stages in Certification The scheme varies with the particular species under consideration. In general the seed-producing area is registered, the origin of the seed sown on the area is identified, and the type or strain of plant growing on the area confirmed by a field-inspection at. the appropriate stage of growth. After the seed crop is harvested the sacks are branded and temporarily sealed, pending machine dressing of the seed. The cleaning of the seed is carried out under supervision after which the sacks are tagged with labels bearing the identification of the seed and are again sealed. At this stage all the sacks of each line are sampled by an officer of the Department of Agriculture. Samples are examined for purity and germination and certificates relating to these factors are issued to the owner of the seed. The samples are also submitted to any plot or laboratory test which may be considered desirable to confirm the plant type of the seed certified. White clover was the first pasture plant to be included in the certification scheme. In 1929 seed of this species was certified on the basis of the age of the producing pasture. The following season perennial ryegrass was included and at intervals cocksfoot, browntop, Italian ryegrass, Montgomery red clover, cowgrass, shortrotation ryegrass, subterranean clover, and timothy have been added to the list of Certified pasture seeds. Except in the case of short-rotation ryegrass and timothy, natural strains have formed the basic material for the production of Certified seed, and in the case of browntop and subterranean clover natural strains are still the only

ones certified. In all other species pedigree strains have been evolved and play a very important part in the production of Certified seed. Selection and Breeding Programme Coincident with the introduction in 1929 of a scheme of seed certification based on natural strains of grasses and clovers a programme of selection and breeding of the main species of pasture plants was started by the Grasslands Division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. By the time the first selected material or “pedigree” strain was ready for release in 1935 seed certification of natural strains had become firmly established and the benefits of an independent means of evaluation of plant type were widely appreciated. It was at this stage of the development of the New Zealand certification scheme that a very important decision had to be made. Should the certification of pedigree and natural strains be carried on along parallel lines or should the' pedigree strains be superimposed on the natural strains, the former gradually replacing the latter and they in turn being replaced by later selections of pedigree strains as these became available? After the fullest deliberation, during which all aspects of the matter were reviewed, it was decided that the latter method of handling should be adopted. This decision was an important one. It virtually decreed that pedigree strains under all conditions in New Zealand were superior to natural strains. It simplified the procedure of seed production because different strains of the same species were not produced under a parallel certification procedure. It meant that certain natural strains, which even before the scheme

began were recognised as being of high merit and which later had received the official endorsement of certification, would be relegated to a very minor place. This, in turn, produced certain repercussions. First from farmers in districts where superior natural strains were to be found (the effect of the policy regarding these strains can be readily appreciated) ; second, from certain farmers in some districts who were emphatic that the Certified natural strains were superior to the pedigree, just as certain farmers claimed that uncertified strains regarded officially as inferior actually were giving better results than Certified natural strains.

' It was conceded that under certain conditions of climate and management the pedigree strains might not give the best results, but experience showed that production in such instances was not, in any case, at its maximum and that a change of farm management associated with the use of pedigree strains would lead to better results than in the past. The few and isolated cases which might not comply with the general position were regarded as quite inadequate to justify the maintenance of parallel schemes of seed production for both pedigree and natural strains of each species. In the adoption of this policy . a very big responsibility was placed on the organisations which were responsible for the production and testing of the various pedigree strains before their release. It was essential, also, that a regular supply of nucleus material should be available for multiplication in order that a steady flow of seed would be available for recognition under the certification scheme.

Change Made Gradually

The practical problem of implementing the decision to base certification on pedigree strains had also to be tackled. It was apparent that a sudden and complete change from natural to pedigree strain could not be brought about without completely disorganising the market which had already been built up for Certified seeds. The alteration had to be made gradually. The progress which has been made to date with the change from natural to pedigree, strains has been dependent upon the date the pedigree strain first became available for release and the rapidity with which the alreadyestablished areas of natural strains could be replaced. Replacement has been accomplished more speedily with annual than with perennial species.

In the certification of natural strains certain precautions were necessary to ensure that plant type was maintained. In general, two classes of seed were recognised: “Mother” was one and “Permanent Pasture” or “Commercial” the other. (The term “Commercial” has now been dropped in favour of the term “Standard.”) In addition, with the more-perennial species a subclass of “Permanent Pasture” (“Permanent Pasture First Harvest”) was recognised. “Mother” seed was the produce of areas showing the highest strain purity, with the added proviso in the case of other-than-annual species that the producing area had passed through a specified number of harvest seasons. “Permanent Pasture”

or “Commercial” seed was saved from areas showing a lower strain purity or not having the necessary age qualification, while “First Harvest” seed was that obtained from the first crop of a newly-established area the type of which had not been confirmed by any plot test. Under the scheme a certain amount of variation between individual crops was always apparent, and as a result the proportion of rejections was correspondingly high.

In the change-over to pedigree strains the first step has been to introduce two further certification classes (“Government Stock” and “Pedigree”) of higher merit than the classes already established. In the first stages the already-established scheme of certification was maintained and, in addition, supplies of seed of pedigree strains, when sufficient to release into commerce, were distributed as Certified “Government Stock” seed. Areas sown with this seed produced Certified “Pedigree” seed which, in turn, was used to sow areas eligible to produce Certified “Mother” seed.

At this stage in the certification scheme, then, Certified “Mother” seed might have been of natural or of pedigree strain. The next step has been to restrict to “Permanent Pasture” or “Standard” class the produce of areas sown with “Mother” seed of either natural or pedigree strain. In the more perennial types, a further step in the change-over has been the degrading to “Permanent Pasture” of areas of natural strain which had earlier been accepted for the production of Certified “Mother” seed.

Basis of Certification

The change in the basis of certification from natural to pedigree strain was carried out 'rapidly with Italian ryegrass, and today all Italian ryegrass seed certified is of pedigree strain. A similar position has also been reached with Montgomery red clover. In the case of perennial ryegrass and white clover the change has been much slower, but in these species all seeds certified in the “Mother” and higher classes is now of pedigree strain. The complete replacement of natural strains of perennial ryegrass and white clover by pedigree strains is retarded because laboratory tests are used as the sole basis of certification in the lowest class (Permanent Pasture). With cowgrass (broad red clover) and cocksfoot little progress in the changeover is yet apparent. On the other hand, all Certified short-rotation ryegrass obviously is of the pedigree strain. In the case of timothy an overseas pedigree strain is now being replaced by a locally-selected strain

The significance of the various classes of Certified seed is shown in the accompanying diagram. Though the various classes are of little importance to the farmer desiring to establish a pasture for grazing purposes only, they are of paramount importance for areas intended for further seed production, as they provide for the most rapid multiplication with the minimum of contamination from the “nucleus” stage until all the Certified seed produced is of that strain.

Certified . Government Stock seed is distributed to selected farmers primarily for further seed production. Certified Pedigree seed is freely marketable within New Zealand, but its export is not permitted. This class of seed is also intended primarily for further seed production. Subject to the meeting of local requirements, Certified Mother seed and Certified Permanent Pasture or Standard seed are permitted full freedom of market in any overseas country.

The quantity of Certified Government Stock seed released each year is regulated, as far as practicable, to an amount considered ample to enable the total New Zealand seed crop to be produced from that release within three further stages of multiplication. The demand for Government Stock seed is usually far in excess of the quantity available, but the demand is regarded as an economic one and is not in any way related to the real purpose of the release of this class of seed. Improved Pedigree Strains When an improved pedigree strain of any species is produced it is fed in at the top of the certification scheme as Certified Government Stock seed. From there it permeates into all classes of Certified seed and any radical change in procedure or classification of areas is thus unnecessary. In the intervening years the standard of the pedigree strain is maintained by annual release of re-selected material from the breeder. With very few exceptions the strain purity of all Certified seeds, irrespective of class, is uniformly high. To that degree it is immaterial to the grazing farmer what class of Certified seed he sows, except that in some species he must purchase a higher class to be certain of obtaining seed of pedigree strain. The certification classes and there relationship are, however, of great importance to the seed grower, as they show the number of stages by which each class of seed is removed from the breeder and result in the most rapid multiplication to the stage where all Certified seed represents the latest possible release. The procedure adopted has simplified the whole question of maintaining strain purity, and has made it possible to eliminate age qualification, previously essential in certain species. Further, it has enabled a much higher general standard .to be maintained in all Certified seed without the disturbing feature of a relatively high proportion of crops rejected from certification. .

The four recognised classes of Certified seed provide a clearly-defined channel of multiplication of the pedigree strain from the breeders’ hands to the ultimate user. They do not necessarily represent seed of differing qualities; rather, they represent seed having a quality as even throughout as possible, and they indicate the stage of multiplication of the particular material. To that extent no tests could differentiate between, say, Italian ryegrass certified as Pedigree seed and much of that certified as Standard seed. The justification for the classes and the conditions of certification within them is that they permit rapid multiplication and correspondingly less opportunity for contamination during multiplication. In

addition, by a simple procedure, strains of most species at a certain stage removed from the original- selection automatically pass outside the scope of the certification scheme. . The first and most obvious effect on farming of the availability of Certified grass and clover seeds has been that purchasers have been given an assurance that the seed they buy is of good strain. In addition a channel has been provided whereby the work of the plant breeder in developing pedigree strains is passed on to the farming community in a rapid and assured manner. A knowledge of strain coupled with a knowledge of purity and germination of the seed has enabled a more accurate evaluation of the seed to be made, and buying and selling have been undertaken with more confidence. Though it is almost impossible to measure the effect of the scheme on individual species, a comparison of the position in regard to some species before the scheme was instituted and the position today is given below. Perennial ryegrass: Before the introduction of the scheme 25 per cent, of the perennial ryegrass seed harvested might have been expected to reach the certification standard of the first years of certification. Today when a much higher standard applies 70 per cent, of the perennial ryegrass seed produced is actually certified, and it is not difficult to believe that the quality of much of the remainder is not far short of the present-day standard for certification. Italian ryegrass: When certification was first introduced no local strains reached the standard of certification set. Today 70. per cent, of the harvest is recognised under certification. This is all of pedigree strain which is superior even to the imported strains which provided the first material to be certified.

Short-rotation ryegrass: Only the certification scheme has made it possible to preserve with certainty the identity of short-rotation ryegrass. White clover: When a laboratory test for white clover certification was first introduced in 1937 the total production amounted to 485 tons, of which 40 per cent, was accepted for certification. In 1947 production reached 2648 tons, yet, despite a higher certification standard, 70 per cent, of the crop was certified. Montgomery red clover: This seed would not have been identifiable from cowgrass without a scheme, such as that provided by seed certification, under which it could be recognised. There are other less obvious, though no less important, effects of the seed certification scheme. Before the certification scheme was introduced it was essential with perennial . species, if quality was to be maintained, to harvest seed from old pastures. This uneconomic process can be eliminated under a certification scheme extending from a nucleus supply of seed derived from regularly-selected material of pedigree strain, and farmers have been able to take the fullest advantage of the heavier and cleaner seed crops harvested from younger pastures. The undesirable practice of saving seed from pastures of mixed ryegrass species has been almost entirely eliminated. Seed production under certification has become primarily an activity of the arable, areas where crops and pastures are associated in the farming practice. The saving of seed, though not a primary activity on most farms, is nevertheless a planned one.

In general, the whole outlook on pasture seed harvesting has been lifted from that of a haphazard, catch-crop undertaking to be indulged in at the whim of the farmer and the season to that of an operation which warrants careful attention and planning. This change in the attitude to seed production, though perhaps affected to some extent by other factors, has been the result largely of the direct influence of the certification scheme. Effect on Pastures From the pasture aspect, also, certification has wrought some changes and pasture-management practices have had to be adjusted to obtain the best results from the improved strains. Though the farmer is the best judge of the improvement in quality of pastures due to the use of Certified seeds, it can be said that on some farms the use of Certified seeds has revolutionised farming practices. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Canterbury, where, . instead of the run-out pastures or perhaps bare paddocks which demanded reploughing within three or four years of sowing down, good pastures. can now be maintained for a number of years. The reduction in the acreage of arable crops in this district, though not perhaps a direct result of the use of Certified seeds, has been possible because pastures established with these seeds have not required such frequent renewal. Conversely, the increased grain yields obtained when pastures established with Certified seeds are broken up are a reflection of the increase in fertility which can be obtained through the heavier stocking possible on. a good pasture.

That the United Kingdom gives preference to New Zealand , Certified seeds and goes so far as to prohibit imports of uncertified seed of some species is additional evidence of the value to New Zealand of Certified seeds and of the certification scheme generally. If a farmer buys Certified seed, however, he must not expect, automatically, perfection in all respects. Certification refers only to the strain of plant and gives ■ no assurance as to the purity or germination of the seed certified. Purity, or rather impurity, is a complex factor unrelated to strain and requires individual interpretation, depending upon the conditions under which the particular line of seed is to be sown; germination is a factor which can vary from one period to another in the one line of seed and it is materially affected by storage conditions. Neither of these factors can be incorporated satisfactorily in a certification scheme designed primarily to identify strain, but both can be determined by an analysis of a seed sample drawn at any time. As a matter of routine all lines of Certified seed are sampled by an official of the Department of Agriculture and examined for purity and germination, while every certification tag carries a warning to the purchaser to inspect the certificate of that analysis before completing the purchase of his seed. The certification tag is endorsed with the identity of the line of seed, the same identity appearing on the corresponding certificate of analysis covering the purity and germination of the seed. A certification insert slip is also included inside the sack, when the identity of the seed is an essential prerequisite to the future certification of an area sown with that seed. The New Zealand certification scheme, introduced originally to identify seed of superior natural strains, has been modified to meet the different requirements of seed of pedigree strains. It is undertaken to provide the buyer with an assurance as to the strain of the seed and not for any specific benefit it may confer upon the grower of the seed. The strains of grass and clover seed under certification have been selected for conditions in New Zealand, because New Zealand is still the biggest user of the seed it produces and it is only fortuitously that New Zealand strains may meet the needs of overseas countries also — they do so is shown by the export seed trade, valued today at about £2,000,000. However, the scheme of seed certification takes its place in New Zealand agriculture essentially as an aid in lifting the production of animal foodstuffs to the highest level.

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