田作物 種子更新의 現況과 問題點

Current situation and problems of seed renewing system in upland crops

For upland crops the returns from the investment in variety developmet and improvement are manifested through the increased production and superior quality of the crops grown from the new varieties. The varieties must be distributed widely, and rapidly, and sufficient seed or vegetatively propagated materials must be produced so that the varieties can be grown on the farms in the area in which it is adapted. The benefits from the improved varieties can be realized through growing the certified seed with sufficient genetic identity, purity and plumpness. Of the upland crops including wheat and barley, soybeans and other legumes, minor cereals and root and tuber crops, currently important crops were evaluated for the current situation and problems of seed renewing systems, and for the status of the crop production and demand and supply to find out practical problems in seed production. Solutions to the problems have generally been found from the investigation and long experience. For increased production and grain quality improvement of malting barley and rye, seed renewing programs should be strengthened in the near future. Certified seed supply and shortening of good quality seed renewing-year interval must be made through improvement of varietal and regional seed renewing systems. Particularly, for emergent need of wheat seed, foundation seed storing system must be established. In, soybeans six-year interval renewing system would be desirable in practice and should be fully practiced. Soybean seed production has been conducted by the Farmer’s Corporation Agency in accordance with increased soybean production assistance plan. However, certified seed production system and good quality seed production techniques must be applied desirably. Government-leading purchase price for the soybeans produced by farmers must be increased for farmers’ willingness to produce more soybeans. For corn sufficient amount of certified seed must be produced because a quantity of corn seed has been imported to meet the demand. In 1990, estimated amount of corn seed 1,500 to 2,000 M/T would be needed for silage and grain corn production. Past experience of suplus corn seed suggests that low temperature seed storage facility is to be facilitated for safe storage of high quality of corn seed.