Planting quality seed is one of the most important management steps in producing a viable crop. In non-hybrid crops, such as wheat, farmers typically save grain to plant as seed the following season. This research will evaluate farmer-saved seed verses certified seed for quality, cleanliness, forage, and grain yields. Research conducted in the 2004-2005 growing season compared the seed quality of two hard-red winter wheat varieties (Coronado and TAM 110) collected from farmers and certified seed sources in both Texas and Oklahoma. Seed sources were collected by local County Extension Agents or Extension agronomists from a number of different producers in Texas and one certified source in Oklahoma. The seed quality of each seed source was quantified by test weight, 1000 kernel weight, percent germination, coleoptile and radicle length, field stand counts, visual growth ratings, fall and winter forage yields, and grain yields. Several of the farmer-saved seed sources were comparable to the two certified seed sources in all seed quality aspects. However, numerous farmer-saved seed sources ranked moderately-poor in all the quality seed tests. Both certified seed sources yielded nearly 2,000 lbs/acre more fall forage than the lowest quality farmer-saved seed. However, one-half of the farmer-saved seed sources produced comparable yields to the certified seed sources. The late-winter clipping forage yields, grain yields, and test weights were comparable for all seed sources.
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