Front Range Seed Analysts
1997 Seed Forum Volume 11 Number 4
New Book:
SEED QUALITY Basic Mechanisms and Agricultural Implications
Ed. Amarjit S. Basra, PhD The Haworth Press, Inc. 1995 $69.95 hard bound
comments by Annette Miller
SEED QUALITY is a big, general textbook that tries to cover most of the bases and appeal to everyone. Unfortunately, this is its weakness. One would read this book for an overview but not for detailed protocols.
The first thing I noticed was a big hole in the table of contents. Seed dormancy was virtually omitted. Yes, it is listed in the index, but the text is far too general and dismissive. The emphasis is on explaining the relationship (or lack of) between dormancy and storability rather than explaining the nature of dormancy. The book also lacks sections on physical purity and conditioning.
Next, I checked the sections on longevity and storage. The section on practical methods for drying seeds is, again too cursory. One would need to check other references for more detailed methods of seed handling. The discussion about Moisture discusses the old paradigm of chOOBing a particular moisture content by adjUBting the RH and ignores the newer thinking about using a constant relative humidity to achieve equilibration for many kinds of seeds.
Chapters I liked were the seed deterioration (biochemistry) and the varietal identification techniques. Again, you'll be reading an overview, not procedures. Also, the information about recalcitrant seeds is more detailed than you'll find in most general books about seeds. Priming is thoroughly covered, as well.
At $70.00 the book is pricey. If you don't already own Bewley and Black's Physiolocry and Biochemistry of seeds and Copeland and McDonald's Principles of Seed Science and Technology then it might be worth considering.
Contents:
Seed Viability (R. N. Basu)
Seed Vigor (David L. Dornbos, Jr.)
Methods of Viability and Vigor Testing: A Critical Appraisal
(J. G. Hampton)
Production Environment and Seed Quality (David L. Dornbos,
Jr.)
Seed Quality and Microorganisms (Martin M. Kulik)
The Storage of Orthodox Seeds (Dale 0. Wilson, Jr.)
Storage of Recalcitrant Seeds (H. F. Chin)
Mechanisms of Seed Deterioration (Peter Coolbear)
Variety Identification: Modern Techniques and Applications
(Robert J. Cooke)
Low Water Potential and Pre-Sowing Germination Treatments
to Improve Seed Quality (Wallace G. Pill)
Influence of Seed Quality on Crop Establishment, Growth,
and Yield (W. E. Finch-Savage)
Ordering: phone: 800-429-6784 Fax: 800-895-0582 mail: The Howarth Press, Inc. 10 Alice St. Binghamton, NY 13904-1580