By: Charlene Rennick
Seed saving is the practice of propagating new plants from the previous generation using its seeds. Traditionally, this is the method used by agriculturalists to reproduce crops in the field from one year to the next. Recently, seed saving has declined as a means of cultivation due to the prominence of cloning and hybridizing plants.
Seed Saving Preserves Species
Heirloom plants are accessible now because people have saved seeds for domestic use throughout generations of sustenance farming. Passing down seeds from one family member to the next has preserved many varieties of flowers, fruits, nut trees, vegetables, herbs and medicinal plants. Saving seeds in storage will safeguard the Earth’s vegetation in the event of world-wide catastrophes, war, pandemic outbreaks and other unforeseen disasters.
Seed saving is made possible because of the advantages open-pollination offers to the proliferation of every plant species. From an evolutionary perspective, without open pollination, any plants capable of producing viable seeds would eventually become extinct. Sadly, many varieties of nut-producing trees (butternut) and seeded fruit have already become virtually extinct because seed saving has lost mainstream popularity.
Disadvantages of Hybridization
Reproduction and hybridization in controlled environments restricts the gene pool. This precludes indigenous species from adapting and evolving symbiotically with the changing local climate. Random selection provided from a diversified gene pool makes stronger and better plants from the variables specific to the environment. Plants that are artificially propagated have traits that are valued in the consumer market; these are not necessarily contrived to proliferate the species. Simulated pollination does not consistently produce plants with seeds that will germinate a new generation.
Seed Saving is Green Gardening
Genuine seed saving is too time-consuming for the commercial market. The mass production of produce and garden foliage has relegated the act of seed saving to an almost cult-like activity practised by environmental conservationists, small hobby farmers, organic gardeners and historians concerned with preserving our culture for future generations. The popularity of seedless variations of watermelon, grapes, clementines and even tomatoes has negotiated the need for natural pollination, the preservation of species and their seeds. Is it worth it?