Organic Seed Production Manuals
Manuals specific to the Mid-Atlantic and South
Manuals specific to the Pacific Northwest
Organic Seed Production
in the Mid-Atlantic and SouthAll the organic production seed manuals were written by Jeffrey H. McCormack, Ph.D., who has been in the seed business since 1982. These are the latest editions available. All are available as free PDF downloads. If you have a slow Internet connection such as dial-up, be patient as some of these are large documents. These manuals are distributed world-wide and it would be a great service to the maintenance of global biodiversity of vegetable crops if there are individuals or agencies who could volunteer to translate the seven manuals into Spanish, or into other languages.
Isolation Distances
This manual covers the principles and practices of determining and maintaining proper isolation distances. Understanding how to establish proper isolation distances is critical for maintaining the purity of seed crops. Of special importance to small scale organic seed growers, especially those in biodiverse regions, this manual demystifies one of the least understood areas of seed crop production.
Isolation Distances[21 pages]Organic Seed Processing and Storage
This manual covers the principles and practices of seed processing. Covers seed harvesting, extraction, processing, drying, storage, longevity, dormancy, seed laws, seed treatments, germination testing, germination enhancement techniques, and also useful tables and appendices. The emphasis is on organic practices, especially in hot, humid regions, such as the Mid-Atlantic and South.
Organic Seed Processing and Storage[28 pages]Organic Bean Seed Production
This manual focuses on small-scale production of high-quality organic bean seed in hot, humid areas such as the Mid-Atlantic and South. Three types of beans are covered: common beans, lima or butter beans, and runner beans. Topics include plant characteristics, climate and regional growing requirements, pollination and fertilization, isolation distances, minimum population size, selection and roguing, cultural requirements, harvesting, threshing and winnowing, seed storage and shipping, and organic control of major insect pests and diseases.
Organic Bean Seed Production[14 pages]Organic Brassica Seed Production
Small to medium-scale production of high-quality organic brassica seed. This manual is devoted to the major cole crops (broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower) and the minor cole crops (Brussels sprouts, kale, and collards). Topics include botanical characteristics and classification, climate and soil requirements, plant characteristics, isolation distances, techniques for avoiding inbreeding depression, seed production methods, and insect and disease identification and management. Includes illustrations and bibliography.
Organic Brassica Seed Production[24 pages]Organic Cucurbit Seed Production
Small to medium-scale production of high-quality organic cucurbit seed. This manual is devoted to the major domesticated culinary species of squash (5 species), cucumber, muskmelon, and watermelon. Topics include species identification, botanical characteristics and classification, climate and soil requirements, plant characteristics, pollination, hand pollination, breeding, isolation distances, interspecies crossing, roguing, harvest timing, seed production and processing, seed extraction methods, and insect and disease identification and management. Includes illustrations and bibliography.
Organic Cucurbit Seed Production[36 pages]Organic Pepper Seed Production
Small to medium-scale production of high-quality organic pepper seed. Five species of peppers are covered. Topics include species characteristics and identification, climate and soil requirements, plant characteristics, isolation distances, harvest timing, seed production and extraction methods, and insect and disease identification and management. Includes illustrations and bibliography.
Organic Pepper Seed Production[18 pages]Organic Tomato Seed Production
This manual focuses on small-scale production of high quality organic tomato seed in hot, humid areas, such as the Mid-Atlantic and South. Topics include pollination and fertilization, isolation distances, minimum population size, cultural methods, selection, harvest timing, methods of seed extraction and fermentation, washing and drying the seed, organic control of major insect pests and diseases, control of seed-borne diseases, seed disinfection and storage.
Organic Tomato Seed Production[16 pages]Organic Seed Production
in the Pacific NorthwestThe following organic seed production manuals have been published by the Organic Seed Alliance. They may be downloaded as free PDF files from the Organic Seed Alliance publications page. Note that some aspects of seed production techniques may be specific to the Pacific Northwest.
- Organic Bean Seed Production[12 pages]
- Organic Beet Seed Production[19 pages]
- Organic Carrot Seed Production[18 pages]
- Organic Lettuce Seed Production[12 pages]
- Organic Radish Seed Production[13 pages]
- Organic Spinach Seed Production[13 pages]
