Organic Seed Treatments
Priming
This is the activation of the germination process which leads to accelerated rates of uniform emergence. Primed seed may be coated or pelleted. Elsoms prime seed using the Drum Process, as pictured below.
White Coating on Organic Seeds
Exclusively for the organic sector, Bejo Zaden has developed a new organic ‘colour coating’. The suspension used for the white coating is recognised according to EU and NOP organic regulations for application in our organic operation.
With this new ‘colour coating’ Bejo is addressing an important problem that is faced by organic growers; the difficulty of finding the naturally brown or black coloured seeds in the soil after sowing and not being able to check drill depth and sowing rates. The new white film coating will also smooth the seeds and therefore makes drilling easier with modern pneumatic precision drills. Last season Bejo started to produce and deliver the white coloured seeds. For spring sowing 2008 most carrot, onion and red beet seeds for the organic grower will have the unique white colour film coating.
Hot Water Treatment
Bejo Zaden are seeking further improvements in the processing of seed for organic cultivation. Seed treatments can safeguard the seed health and protect the seedling against soil and seedling diseases. These seed treatments can be physical in nature such as disinfection with warm water or dry hot air. Bejo has developed its own equipment to apply these treatments on a commercial scale. In addition to this we are investigating the possibility of organic seed coatings, for example, with micro-organisms. Research is not solely focused on the control of soil and seedling diseases, but also on substances that promote the development of the seedlings natural resistance system. The protocols for special product forms, such as primed seed, are calibrated to be within organic certification guidelines.
Vegetable Plant Breeding and Trials
Plant Breeding
Elsoms have a focused vegetable plant breeding team, working with a range of more traditional British crop species, such as Parsnip and Swede. We also have joint breeding programmes with some Brassicas, particularly Purple Sprouting Broccoli, Brussels Sprout and Spring Cabbage, with Bejo Zaden of Warmenhuizen in Holland.
To help us with our breeding programme, we have a range of modern facilities including anther and tissue culture laboratories, and over 10,000 m2 of glass for plant breeding purposes.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you need further information.
Trails
The exchange of information between customers and ourselves is a vital part of varietal development, and as such, we encourage you to visit our trials and premises in Spalding.
Our trial grounds give us the opportunity to view new varieties against industry standards, and to experiment with sowing dates, densities etc. We also have an organic demonstration area too. Customers are welcome to view the trial plots, both at our open days and by appointment.
For species where the climate/soil differs from our own trial site, professional growers' sites are often used to give relevant commercial information about new and current genetics. Our well-equipped trials team carry out trials across the United Kingdom; including Cornwall, Kent, Lancashire, East Anglia and Fife, so let us know if you think that we need to do more work in your region.