They smile at us from the produce section of the supermarket: tomatoes, beautifully shaped and uniform in size, color, and form. Each one is identical to the next. Even in the fruit section, the individual fruits no longer differ from one another. Have you ever wondered why this is the case? The fruits and vegetables sold in stores are the result of hybrid seed breeding.

Hybrid seeds – a blessing or a curse?

To obtain hybrid seeds, parent plants are propagated with themselves until only the best characteristics emerge and undesirable characteristics disappear (e.g., taste, yield, size, shape). Two "perfect" parents are then crossed with each other. The resulting hybrid seed is called F1 seed, where F1 stands for the first generation of a cross (first filial or offspring generation). A consistently high yield requires the use of fertilizers and pesticides. The uniform and appealing appearance of the products ensures good marketing for the farmer. Due to their genetic uniformity, hybrid plants are susceptible to pathogens. For this reason, genes are crossed in to make them resistant to certain diseases. 

Seeds from hybrid plants can also be used for propagation. However, in the next generation, the laboriously bred characteristics weaken and are distributed among the offspring. Farmers are therefore forced to buy expensive seeds every year. A few international agricultural corporations dominate the seed market with their patented breeding lines. In addition, restrictive seed legislation limits the independence of agricultural businesses.

Plant diversity and many of the original characteristics of plants are being lost. This realization, as well as knowledge about the use of genetic engineering in seeds and patent applications for genetically modified and conventional plants, has led to the formation of initiatives that promote the cultivation of "seed-stable varieties."

Open-pollinated varieties

The "Bamberger Hörnchen" is an old potato variety from Franconia that almost everyone has heard of. It is one of the plant varieties grown by our ancestors, all of which were "seed-fast." This means that the seeds have the same characteristics as the parent varieties and can be used to grow new plants as desired. The advantages for allotment gardeners and self-sufficient farmers are obvious. You can grow your personal favorites according to your taste, including robust local varieties that are adapted to different site conditions and weather conditions.

Only if you understand what is written on the bag will you know what will bloom later!

Each seed packet contains information to help you find the right seeds:

1. Seal of the cultivation association (e.g., Demeter),
2. Name of the manufacturer (must be on every bag),
3. Symbol for open-pollinated varieties (voluntary information),
4. Type and variety (e.g., cucumber "Persika," must be named),
5. Additional information (e.g., variety comes from organic breeding),
6. Filling quantity (e.g., contents sufficient for 20–30 plants),
7. Information on variety, cultivation, and care,
8. organic seal (if available),
9. Manufacturer's item number,
10. Standard seed (subject to state control and must meet certain criteria such as variety authenticity,
11. company number (identifies the manufacturer),
12. Inspection body (e.g., DE-ÖKO-007, competent state inspection body that checks that the seed complies with legal requirements),
13. Year code (determined by the Federal Plant Variety Office, indicates when the seed was packaged).

Tips on how to find the right variety:

When choosing from the wide variety of seed packets, look for symbols or indications that the varieties are open-pollinated, as described above under the information on each seed packet. Open-pollinated varieties are not necessarily organic. There are also conventional seed suppliers that offer open-pollinated varieties.

Amateur gardeners are not subject to the EU Seed Regulation, which uniformly regulates the handling of plants and seeds. This means you can grow whatever you want, exchange, give away, and re-sow.

So-called "amateur varieties," which are only grown for specific purposes and have no economic significance, and "conservation varieties," which are intended to be preserved from extinction, may be sold by collectors, private initiatives, associations, and small businesses.

You can recognize organic seeds by the EU organic label. Organic farming associations such as Demeter, Bioland, Naturland, and others are subject to even stricter regulations regarding the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. They do not use hybrid varieties. Organic breeders not only preserve the genetic diversity of old varieties, but also breed new seed-fast varieties that meet the requirements of organic horticulture and still produce good yields (examples: Bingenheimer Saatgut, Kultursaat e.V., Saat:gut e.V. in Germany).

In the Plant Variety Database, you can find information about all seed varieties approved throughout the EU, as well as breeders and propagation companies.

It is also worth taking a look at organic seed suppliers with open-pollinated varieties in neighboring countries Austria (ReinSaat K.G.) and Switzerland (Sativa).

Further information and sources used:

kraut&rüben 02/2017, Seed Special