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Hybrid Seed Production Techniques for Cucurbita pepo in Organic Agricultural Systems
Phone: (802) 472-6174
Email: jodi@highmowingseeds.com
Title: Director of Research and Development
Phone: (802) 472-6174
Email: jodi@highmowingseeds.com
"Expanding demand for organic produce is driving a need for larger quantities of
commercially-available organic seed. Concomitantly, organic producers wish to have the
superior qualities realizable in first-generation (F1) hybrids for many crops. This SBIR
project seeks to develop a cost-effective, commercial-scale process for producing
organically-suitable F1 hybrid seed. In Phase I High Mowing Seeds will assess the
objective for Cucurbita pepo (summer squashes, zucchini, pumpkins, certain winter
squashes). Organically-appropriate methods for hybrid seed production in Cucurbita
pepo typically require labor-intensive techniques such as hand-pollination or handemasculation
of the female parent. Using the natural plant hormone ethylene, we propose
to achieve more consistent results and eliminate 40-50% of the labor of producing
organic hybrid seed. While ethylene gas use for this purpose is not specifically allowed
under USDA National Organic Program Rules, ethylene is allowed for floral induction,
post-harvest ripening, and degreening of certain fruits. With completion of this project,
we believe a petition to the National Organic Standards Board for use of ethylene in
hybrid seed production is highly likely to succeed. The broader outcome will be
substantial increase in organic production with its attendant environmental benefits,
improved vegetable varieties, and a significant opportunity for organic seed producers"
* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *