Washington’s small-seeded
vegetable seed industry
- state, national and global industry
- up to 70% of the U.S. supply of cabbage, carrot, radish, spinach, & table beet seed
- up to 50% of the world supply of cabbage, carrot, radish, spinach, and table beet seed
- >40 small-seeded vegetable seed crops state-wide
- 2 main productions areas – northwest Washington (cabbage, spinach, beet, …) and northern Columbia Basin (carrot, onion, radish,…)
Small-seeded vegetable seed pathology:
- diseases affecting seed production, including seedborne pathogens
- zero-tolerance for many seedborne pathogens because of interstate and international exports
- diseases affect seed yield, quality, & germination and the health of crops grown from seed
- if seed germination is <80 to 90%, seed lots may be rejected
Vegetable seed pathology
research & extension focus:
- pathogen detection, biology, & epidemiology
- develop & implement IPM programsfungicide efficacy trials
- yield loss studies
- cultural practices
- disease resistance
- develop extension materials (bulletins, website, newsletters, (PNW Vegetable Extension Group)
- national & international vegetable seed pathology collaborations