Confusing Seed Terms Defined

Gardeners getting ready for the spring season have many choices when it comes to the kind of seeds they purchase and plant.

The Charles C. Hart Seed Company late announced a new logotype will be printed on all of its seeded player packets .

The raw “ GE Free ” logo is meant to help oneself gardener see the company ’s continuing commitment to distribute cum that is free of genetic applied science .

The Hart Seed troupe was found in 1892 and remains one of the old germ ship’s company in the country . This Modern logotype typify another first for the company .

accord to company sources , Hart Seed has been first with many new melodic theme in its long account . These ideas include being the first to provide accurate photo mailboat , first to package ‘ Better Boy ’ tomato plant seeds for home nurseryman and first to print UPCs on the packets .

Now the company has added the GE Free logo that assures customers the seed in the packet is destitute of genetically organize organisms .

Because gardener may not know the difference between GE seed and GMO ejaculate , plus the other kinds of come offered by germ companies , here ’s a glossary to help with the come sorting :

Glossary of Seed Terms

GE - Genetically direct seed describes the method acting of incorporating cistron straight off into an organism . These seeds are not found in nature , but they are genetically engineered in the lab . Some model of genetically engineered crops let in corn modified to protect itself from corn woodborer damage and herbicide - immune soybeans and other craw . It ’s improbable that plate gardeners will see any packet of GE seed in garden middle or catalog .

GMO - Genetically Modified Organisms are different from those genetically orchestrate . GMO is a broad term that refer to seed produced through any type of genetic change . This qualifying can be through modern genetic technology or through traditional plant breeding . When plant breeder , work with ceremonious or organically grow varieties , blue-ribbon for certain worthy trait they are making the same form of option that can happen in nature . This create a case of crossbreed . Examples include append disease resistance to an open - pollinated variety or a hybrid cross between two cultivars . If you ’ve ever enjoyed a seedless watermelon , you ’ve savor a genetically modified organism .

Heirloom - Heirloom semen are typically defined as open - pollenate multifariousness that are the result of natural pick instead of controlled hybridizing . These are varieties that have been travel by down over genesis , but commercial-grade cum producing company now grow seeds from many heirlooms . Seeds saved from heirlooms will produce plant life with the same traits as the parent industrial plant . Some preferred heirlooms include ‘ Brandywine ’ tomato plant and ‘ Kentucky Wonder ’ bean .

Hybrid - Hybrid plants are often labeled F1 because they are the first multiplication hybrid . advanced hybrids are produced by cross - pollinating two distinct parent for their positive traits . Any F1 seeded player carry through and planted will not grow “ reliable ” like open - pollinated varieties . Examples of popular hybrid are ‘ renown ’ and ‘ Sungold ’ tomatoes .

OP – Open - pollinatedseed varieties result from being pollinated by insects , wind or other methods of natural pollenation . Seeds saved from open - pollinated plants will grow the same flora as its parent plants , year after year .

Organic Seed - The term “ Certified Organic ” on a germ packet is a legal differentiation . It means the growers follow with all the rules and regulations specified by the USDA ’s National Organic Program . Organic seeds are grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides . Genetic engineering science is prohibited .

Treated Seed - Treated seeds are seeds cake with a merchandise , usually a fungicide . treat seed cater a layer of protection against soilborne diseases and fungi and ejaculate companies will specify if the seed is treated . pea and Zea mays are two examples of source that are often treated .

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The new “GE Free” seed packets from the Hart Seed Company have a label that shows the seed has not been genetically engineered.Photo/Illustration: Jodi Torpey

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