What Make A Quality Seed
Seed Quality Assessments
Genetic Purity
Genetic purity means trueness-to-type of the seed lot. It is important to assure the genetic identity which makes cultivars distinct. Genetic purity is best evaluated through a field trial in which the percentage of off-types in a seed lot is determined. Seed companies typically conduct variety trials each season to evaluate the genetic quality of contract lots; ideally, the seed lot is evaluated in comparison to the parent stock seed lot and competitors’ lots of the same variety. The results of these variety trials are made available to the grower; this information is used as a tool to guide on-farm selection of the plants in the seed crop so the seed produced from that crop is true-to-type.
Genetic purity evaluation can also include screening for transgene (GMO) contamination. Corn and beets, for example, are increasingly tested for the presence of transgenes. Seed companies typically request and pay for the testing, which is conducted at independent labs. The current National Organic Program (NOP) regulations do not specifically require testing of organic seed for GMO contamination but an increasing number of certifiers are requesting testing. Avoidance is the best approach. Seed farmers should avoid planting seed crops in regions where cross contamination is likely, observe isolation distances for cross-pollinating crops, and when available, participate in regional pinning networks.
Physical Purity
Physical purity evaluation consists of a purity exam and a noxious weed exam. The purity exam determines the percentages by weight of pure seed, other crop seed, weed seed, and inert matter in a sample. The contracting seed company typically defines the purity standard for a particular seed crop and communicates this standard to the grower. The noxious weed exam determines the rate of occurrence and identity of noxious weeds as specified by the Federal Seed Law. This is called the “All States Noxious Weed Exam.” In addition, there is a noxious weed list specified by each state seed law; these weed seeds are prohibited if seeds are to be marketed as “certified seed”. These tests are performed by a registered seed technician at a certified lab (see the list of some seed testing laboratories below). Using seed free from weed or other crop seeds, along with planting seed in a clean seedbed, reduces the cost of weed control program.
Selecting Quality Seeds
Example:- Hpot pepper
Choosing a Hot Pepper
The best way to know how hot a pepper is: read the grower’s description, the plant label, or seed packet and look for these descriptors–mild, hot, or very hot. And, of course, tasting is a sure way to understand a pepper’s heat, but it is best to err on the side of caution if you are unsure of a pepper’s pungency—begin with small amount and increase the amount as you get used to it. (The antidote to pepper burn on the tongue: bananas, milk, yogurt, and granulated sugar are often mentioned by pepper lovers.)
Care in Using Hot Peppers
Because capsaicin resides in the white pith surrounding the seeds in the pepper’s inner wall, you can trim and wash the pith away to dilute the capsaicin, but use disposable kitchen gloves and avoid wiping your eyes or nose or other moist mucus membranes. Wash your hands with vinegar or soap when you are finished working with hot peppers. (The good news when it comes to eating hot peppers—besides the enjoyment you get from spicy food—is that capsaicin can improve digestion by increasing digestive fluids in the stomach and by fighting bacteria that can cause stomach infections.)
Heat Range of Peppers Commonly Grown in Home Vegetable Gardens:
(OP=open-pollinated, which means you can save the seeds and plant them again next season; and growing days to maturity from transplanting into the garden)
- Bhut Jolokia (also called Ghost Pepper): 1,001,304 SHU (OP, 100days)
- Scotch Bonnet: 100,000-580,000 SHU (OP, 120 days)
- Habanero: 100,000-500,000 SHU (OP, 90-100 days)
- Jamaican Hot: 100,000-200,000 SHU (OP, 95 days)
- Chiltepin: 100,000 SHU (OP, 95 days)
- Thai: 50,000-100,000 SHU (OP, 90 days)
- Cayenne: 30,000-50,000 SHU (OP, 72 days)
- Aji: 30,000-50,000 SHU (OP 85-90 days)
- Tabasco: 30,000-50,000 SHU (OP, 80 days)
- Serrano: 8,000-23,000 SHU (OP, 75-80 days)
- Mirasol: 5,000 SHU (OP, 100 days)
- Jalapeño: 2,500-9,000 SHU (OP, 75 days)
- Fresno: 2,500-8,500 SHU (75 days)
- Hungarian Wax: 1,000-15,000 (OP, 70 days)
- Ancho: 1,000-2,000 (OP, 76-80 days)
- Poblano: 500-2,000 SHU (OP, 75-80 days)
- Santa Fe: 500-700 SHU (75-80 days)
- Anaheim: 250-1,400 SHU (OP-75 days)
- Pepperoncini: 100-500 SHU (OP, 62 days)
- Paprika (several peppers are used for paprika) 50-200 SHU
- Pimento: 0 SHU (OP, 100 days)
- Sweet Banana: 0 SHU (OP, 72 days)
- Sweet Bell: 0 SHU
Selecting Quality Cannabis Seeds
Cannabis growers and breeders alike rely on seeds when planting a fresh set of plants. A key component of growing healthy plants is choosing good quality seeds. There are many places where you can buy marijuana seeds online. Most commercial seed banks indicate important information on the package of seeds that are on sale. It is possible to know details such as the strain, THC potency, resistance to pests and other unique traits of a particular strain of cannabis seeds when purchasing seeds from a reputable seed producer.
However, sometimes it may be more convenient to buy seeds from local dealers and seed shops that don’t provide a great deal of information about the particular seeds that are being sold. In such a case, it is up to you to assess the appearance of marijuana seeds and decide which ones look healthy. While experienced growers may have a trained eye, novices farmers may find it a bit difficult to spot good quality cannabis seeds.
Cannabidiol (CBD) derrived from Hemp
In order to pick healthy marijuana seeds, it is important to look for any indications of immaturity. Cannabis seeds normally need to be stored for sometime after harvesting so that the seeds can ripen. Premature marijuana seeds usually have a poor success rate for germination. This means that buying immature seeds can cost you money and not to mention the time that will have been wasted. On the other hand, seeds that are too old may also be prone to germination problems. You want to avoid picking seeds that have been freshly harvested and those that have been stored for extensive periods of time.
CBD Vape Oils from Cannabis Seeds
Generally, premature marijuana seeds normally have a greenish or grey lustre and have a soft shell, making them perfect for the generation of CBD oils from cbd proffessionals like. These seeds also tend to be much smaller in size when compared to older seeds.
Good quality seeds are normally bigger in size and produce higher quality cannabidiol, have a dark brown color plus the seed coat is hard and intact. Usually, mature seeds have a hard surface and are full of water. Marijuana seeds that are too old tend to crack and may lose a lot of water and are usually resused to remove THC and then used by websites to resell cbd oils.
CBD Powders from Cannabis plant Extracts
Although it may be possible to pick mature seeds by carefully examining them, this is not a guaranteed that these seeds chosen will germinate, but can be used to make CBD isolate.Sometimes poor growers may damage mature marijuana seeds during germination or even use ineffective methods.
It is important to note that maturity is not the only aspect that needs to be considered when selecting viable marijuana seeds. The type of marijuana that you intend to grow is also an important consideration. Some varieties of cannabis seeds may be meant for outdoor cultivation while other types of seeds thrive when planted indoors. In addition, marijuana seeds are generally grouped into sativa and indica strains. Some growers prefer cannabis sativa seeds because the plants that emerge from this strain tend to have a distinct ‘cerebral high’ effect. Indica strains on the other hand tend to mature and grow faster.