Untersuchung der Qualität von Saatgut sowie der Wurzel- und Sprossentwicklung von Getreidekeimlingen

Primary roots and shoots of 13 day old cereal seedlings and quality of seed were investigated in the frame of the certification process of organic seed produced in Austria. The germination of seed and the development of seedlings were significantly affected by Microdochium nivale on wheat, triticale and rye and by Septoria nodorum on wheat. The number of primary roots was found to be significantly different in wheat varieties and genotypes but was not influenced by year and region. The number of primary roots was also positively correlated with the kernel weight of some wheat varieties

Qualitative und quantitative Analyse der Biosaatgutproduktion bei Getreide in Österrreich

In the scope of a research project, official data from the certification of organic seed in Austria from 1999 to 2007 were analysed to determine the most important factors effecting seed quality and leading to rejection of certification. Data from 4684 seed multiplication fields and 3262 seed lots were analysed. Weed seeds and wild oats (Avena fatua) have little effect on the quality of finished seed due to highly effective seed processing plants and risk-based seed testing. In cereal seeds the most frequent reason for rejection of certification in the category Other Seeds by Number is Other Cereal Seeds. An important criterion resulting in frequent non-certification of organic seed is the level of infection from seed-borne and seed-transmitted diseases. Although the field inspection data show only a very small number of multiplication fields with evidence of relevant seed-borne diseases, those diseases were nevertheless identified at a higher rate in the finished seed lots. Especially loose smut (Ustilago nuda) and leaf stripe (Drechslera graminea) on spring barley as well as bunt (Tilletia caries) have been increasing in Austria during the period studied. The main reasons for this development were nearby fields that harboured these diseases due to use of poor quality farm saved seed

Produktivität verschiedener Sojasorten im ostösterreichischen Anbaugebiet

In Austria organic soybeans are mainly produced in the eastern part of the country due to its temperature requirements. To examine genotypic differences with respect to seed quality a three-year field trial with seven soybean cultivars was conducted. The cultivar `Essor´ showed significantly higher (p<0,05) values for corn yield, thousand grain weight and seed protein content in all three years compared to to the early maturing cultivar `Merlin´. During the whole observation period the cultivars `Essor´and `Lambton´ produced most stable corn yields while ´Essor´ and ´Cardiff´ revealed most stable seed protein contents. Based on our results, soybean cultivars of maturity group 00 had higher grain yields as well as higher seed protein content in comparison to early maturing cultivars (maturity group 000) grown under natural conditions prevalent in eastern Austria