{"id":24664,"date":"2023-09-26T07:24:15","date_gmt":"2023-09-26T06:24:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/?post_type=insight&#038;p=24664"},"modified":"2025-08-07T10:52:04","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T09:52:04","slug":"causes-of-germination-failure-in-cereal-crops-part-1-the-importance-of-seed-quality","status":"publish","type":"insight","link":"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/insight\/causes-of-germination-failure-in-cereal-crops-part-1-the-importance-of-seed-quality\/","title":{"rendered":"Causes of Germination Failure in Cereal Crops &#8211; Part 1: The Importance of Seed Quality"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"24664\" class=\"elementor elementor-24664\" data-elementor-post-type=\"insight\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d865d26 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-eae-slider=\"18685\" data-id=\"d865d26\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-57003cb\" data-eae-slider=\"39126\" data-id=\"57003cb\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a7e512f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a7e512f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW234762041 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW234762041 BCX8\">Germination failure for farmers can be expensive<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW234762041 BCX8\">.\u00a0 <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW234762041 BCX8\">It is not just the cost of the seed but the field preparations and operations before and after the crop failure that need to be <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW234762041 BCX8\">taken into account<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW234762041 BCX8\">should a <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW234762041 BCX8\">failure occur<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW234762041 BCX8\">.\u00a0 <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW234762041 BCX8\">These include:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW234762041 BCX8\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b87ab30 elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"b87ab30\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">seedbed preparation <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">pesticide and fertiliser applications <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">sowing operations <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">resowing operations <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">fuel <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">machinery rental <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">contractor hire <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a00e282 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a00e282\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Added to these will be the loss in yield at harvest because later autumn sowings have lower establishment rates and spring-sown crops yield less than autumn-sown crops.\u00a0 Therefore, farmers could justifiably include all these additional costs if they are making an insurance claim.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The variation in establishment of cereal crops ranges nationally from 2 to 100% according to research data gathered between 1977 and 2002 (Blake <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">et al<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, 2003).\u00a0 On average it is around 67%, but the expected percentage for wheat, for example, should be 85%.\u00a0 The reason for the actual figure being much lower in commercial practice may be because experimental work done to determine germination is usually sited in the better areas of fields and receives greater care and attention than many commercial crops would.\u00a0 I describe below some of the other reasons for poor establishment: <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c5874dd elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c5874dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/AdobeStock_518319232-1024x683.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-24667\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/AdobeStock_518319232-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/AdobeStock_518319232-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/AdobeStock_518319232-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/AdobeStock_518319232-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/AdobeStock_518319232-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/AdobeStock_518319232-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Unloading grain in a grain store <\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a522da6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a522da6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW127882353 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW127882353 BCX8\">Whether c<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun CommentStart CommentHighlightPipeRest CommentHighlightRest SCXW127882353 BCX8\">ertified or farm-sav<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun CommentHighlightPipeRest SCXW127882353 BCX8\">ed<a href=\"#references\">[<\/a><\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun Footnote BlobObject DragDrop SCXW127882353 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"Superscript SCXW127882353 BCX8\" data-fontsize=\"11\"><a href=\"#references\">1<\/a><a href=\"#references\">]<\/a><\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW127882353 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW127882353 BCX8\">, it is important to understand the quality of seed. By law, seed must be officially sampled and tested before it can be certified. Sampling and testing are also important for grain intended for farm-saved seed, although it is not compulsory<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW127882353 BCX8\">.<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW127882353 BCX8\">\u00a0 <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW127882353 BCX8\">Seed certification schemes protect farmers and their customers by guaranteeing that all UK certified seed meets prescribed standards for varietal identity and purity, <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW127882353 BCX8\">germination<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW127882353 BCX8\"> and freedom from foreign material<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW127882353 BCX8\">.\u00a0 <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW127882353 BCX8\">Sampling and testing <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW127882353 BCX8\">determine<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW127882353 BCX8\"> the cleanliness of the seed and the viability, but if not <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun CommentStart CommentHighlightPipeRest CommentHighlightRest SCXW127882353 BCX8\">completed <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun CommentHighlightPipeRest SCXW127882353 BCX8\">close to the sowing date may <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW127882353 BCX8\">impact<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW127882353 BCX8\">the\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW127882353 BCX8\"> accura<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW127882353 BCX8\">cy<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW127882353 BCX8\"> of the results<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW127882353 BCX8\">.<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW127882353 BCX8\">\u00a0 <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW127882353 BCX8\">Tests performed <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW127882353 BCX8\">by<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW127882353 BCX8\"> the seed testing laboratory should include<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW127882353 BCX8\">:<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW127882353 BCX8\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW127882353 BCX8\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-afdb9a3 elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"afdb9a3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">germination percentage <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">moisture content <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">records of inert matter such as chaff and broken seeds <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">identification of non-crop seeds and fungal structures present  <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0131ac1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0131ac1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/AdobeStock_447202495-1024x576.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-24668\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/AdobeStock_447202495-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/AdobeStock_447202495-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/AdobeStock_447202495-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/AdobeStock_447202495-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/AdobeStock_447202495-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/AdobeStock_447202495-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">The grain drying process <\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8549e93 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8549e93\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 data-redactor-inserted-image=\"true\"><span style=\"color: #0a527a;\">Seed Storage<\/span><\/h4><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Seed moisture content and storage temperature are critical to maintain quality over the storage period. Generally, wheat seed with a moisture content of 12%, stored at 20\u00b0C for a period of 360 days, will retain about 92% germination. However, seed with a moisture content of only three percentage points higher, will result in a mere 27% germination.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ideally, seed should be stored around 10\u00b0C, but the availability of such facilities for bulk storage is limited. The viability of grain deteriorates faster when stored at high temperatures, especially above 20\u00b0C.\u00a0 Storage facilities may not be able to keep the temperature below 20\u00b0C, especially in the summer months, and with hotter summers as a consequence of climate change, cooled seed storage facilities may become necessary in the future.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-63a4296 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"63a4296\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"513\" height=\"296\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/6f00aca9-ee72-4238-bf9b-9899b41cd46e.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-24674\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/6f00aca9-ee72-4238-bf9b-9899b41cd46e.png 513w, https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/6f00aca9-ee72-4238-bf9b-9899b41cd46e-300x173.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 513px) 100vw, 513px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\"><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f4ca7ea elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f4ca7ea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW110845511 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW110845511 BCX8\">The growth and reproduction <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW110845511 BCX8\">of moulds and pests is also <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW110845511 BCX8\">influence<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW110845511 BCX8\">d<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW110845511 BCX8\">by <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW110845511 BCX8\">temperature and moisture content<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW110845511 BCX8\">.<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW110845511 BCX8\">\u00a0 <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW110845511 BCX8\">Storage fungi can grow above moisture content<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW110845511 BCX8\">s of<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW110845511 BCX8\"> 14.5% on cereal grain and 7.5\u20138% oilseed rape seed. The activity of each fungal group depends on a combination of moisture content and temperature<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW110845511 BCX8\">.<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW110845511 BCX8\">\u00a0 <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW110845511 BCX8\">These include the following:<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW110845511 BCX8\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9593700 elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"9593700\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Aspergillus species which can cause self-heating and damage germination. <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Penicillium species e.g. P. verrucosum, which is active across a wide range of temperatures but when moisture content is at or above 18%, it can produce mycotoxins. <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Advanced decay\/field fungi such as Fusarium species, some of which also produce mycotoxins, and heating organisms. <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Thermophilic fungi, which thrive at very high temperatures, such as those that occur in compost bins. <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0a72b21 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0a72b21\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementor\/thumbs\/54165f74-3f0c-4418-8e51-73051f6e4349-qcn2sngap8sqzpcaehrcgz2p69dr7cbc2ocl0qcxva.png\" title=\"54165f74-3f0c-4418-8e51-73051f6e4349\" alt=\"54165f74-3f0c-4418-8e51-73051f6e4349\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">  The activity of four fungal groups at various temperatures and moisture contents. A = Aspergillus species; B = Penicillium species; C = Fusarium and related species; D = Thermophilic fungi <\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f226805 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f226805\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Pests are adapted to the grain storage environment. They can breed at relatively low temperatures and moisture contents. A single insect per kilogram of grain could represent a potentially serious infestation.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Maintaining good hygiene in the store helps reduce insect populations as storage pests can survive on grain residues from the previous harvest and will infest new grain as it is placed into the store.<br \/><br \/><span class=\"TextRun SCXW11726433 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW11726433 BCX8\">Common primary species<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW11726433 BCX8\"> include:<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW11726433 BCX8\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d9dede elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"6d9dede\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">The grain weevil (Sitophilus granarius) breeds at low temperatures and larvae hollow out the insides of grains, making it difficult to detect.  The activity of the last larval stage raises grain temperature locally, causing hotspots. Other pests enter grain that they have damaged.  <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">The saw-toothed grain beetle (Oryzaephilus surinamensis) feeds on damaged grains rendering them vulnerable to further attack by other pests and by introducing fungal and bacterial infections.  <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">The rust-red grain beetle (Cryptolestes ferrugineus) prefers higher temperature environments such as those created by the grain weevil activity, but it is one of the most cold-tolerant grain pests and has one of the highest rates of population growth of any grain pest. <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2e40b48 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2e40b48\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 data-redactor-inserted-image=\"true\"><span style=\"color: #0a527a;\">Seed Treatment<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW153551707 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW153551707 BCX8\">Seed is usually treated with fungicide or insecticide by specialist contractors after storage and before sowing<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW153551707 BCX8\">.&nbsp; <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW153551707 BCX8\">Seed should be cleaned to remove impurities such as chaff, weed seeds, soil particles and dust<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW153551707 BCX8\">,<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW153551707 BCX8\"> otherwise the seed treatment will adhere to these instead of the seed.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW153551707 BCX8\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-771572e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"771572e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"235\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Dirty-wheat-1024x301.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-24676\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Dirty-wheat-1024x301.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Dirty-wheat-300x88.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Dirty-wheat-768x226.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Dirty-wheat.jpeg 1478w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Dirty wheat seed (left) vs clean seed (right) (source: Bayer). <\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cebc2a3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cebc2a3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It is important that the treatment is mixed correctly and applied at the proper rate.\u00a0 Products from well-known agrochemical companies are more expensive, but will be better in the long run because cheaper, inferior products can become lumpy, separate in solution and stick to equipment rather than seed, making them difficult to use.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The products are usually coloured.\u00a0 An even colour all over the seed indicates that the coating has been applied properly, but a patchy appearance indicates it has not and could be a result of poor seed quality, dirty seed, poor product quality or incorrect dilution.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-07ca887 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"07ca887\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"235\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Seeds-1024x301.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-24677\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Seeds-1024x301.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Seeds-300x88.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Seeds-768x226.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Seeds.jpeg 1478w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Patchy colouration on poorly treated barley seed (left) compared to even colouration on well treated seed (right) (source: Bayer). <\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91041ba elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"91041ba\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"EOP SCXW65559614 BCX8\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/insight\/causes-of-germination-failure-in-cereal-crops-part-2-soil-and-sowing\/\">Part 2: Soil and Sowing<\/a> covers seedbed preparation, sowing operations and environmental conditions.\u00a0 This will be published next month.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-88b4751 elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right elementor-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"88b4751\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon elementor-divider__element\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e457ce1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e457ce1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" id=\"references\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>[1] When harvested seeds from cereals or oilseed rape are used to establish a subsequent crop, it is called farm-saved seed (FSS). Farm-saved seed differs from officially certified seed, which meets specific conditions and controls for sale \u2013 relating to, for example, germination capacity, varietal identity\/purity and contaminant levels.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bbb634f elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right elementor-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"bbb634f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon elementor-divider__element\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d6422fc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d6422fc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-5b051e9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5b051e9\" data-element_type=\"section\"><div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\"><div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-68e6efb\" data-id=\"68e6efb\" data-element_type=\"column\"><div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\"><div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-925c64b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"925c64b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\"><div class=\"elementor-widget-container\"><h4><span style=\"color: #0a527a;\">About the Author<\/span><\/h4><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/experts\/james-townsend\/\">James<\/a> has over 20 years\u2019 experience in his field, and is experienced in investigating the causes of plant diseases, crop failures and spoilage of fresh produce.<\/p><p>He has worked on projects to breed genetic resistance to diseases in oilseed crops and published research into the effects of climate change on plant diseases in the UK. James has also managed a portfolio of field and glasshouse research projects, gaining extensive experience in plant disease diagnostic techniques.<\/p><p>James joined Hawkins after four years at Berry Gardens Growers, the UK\u2019s leading berry and stone fruit cooperative. During his tenure, he set up the plant disease diagnostic laboratory, and used his expertise to diagnose crop problems and fruit rots and advise growers on disease management strategies.<\/p><p>James is a Senior Associate based in our Reigate Office and has investigated cases of crop germination failure, crop storage problems, fallen trees, mould contamination, pesticide damage, wildfires and plant disease outbreaks in domestic and commercial settings.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Germination failure in cereal crops can lead to significant financial losses for farmers, encompassing not only the cost of seeds but also expenses related to field preparations, pesticides, sowing, resowing, and machinery. Additionally, poor seed quality, storage conditions, and the presence of pests and fungi can contribute to lower germination rates, highlighting the critical importance of seed quality control and proper storage practices in crop management.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":25077,"parent":0,"template":"","insight_category":[],"experties":[68],"class_list":["post-24664","insight","type-insight","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","experties-materials-chemistry-biology"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Seed Quality &amp; Germination: Forensic Agronomy<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how poor seed quality leads to germination failure in cereal crops, and how forensic analysis helps identify liability and prevention.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" 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