b'PROTECTING INNOVATIONCommitment of Seed Companiesin the Vegetable SectorSEED INNOVATIONS AREa crucial part ofsetting, mechanical harvest potential and harvest loss feeding a hungry planet, but do most peopleminimization is a very complicated situation, but its understand what this commitment means? Im notamazing at what todays plant breeders can and are sure even most people who have been in the seeddoing! And theyre doing it knowing that theyre new industry for many years understand the commitment,lines wont hit commercial fields for seven to 16 years. the time, the resources and the dedication it takes toThey have to have their finger on the pulse of growers meet growers and consumers unmet needs. For thisand consumers unmet needs as they decipher their article lets focus on vegetables. work. Product differentiation, taste, quality, nutrient/ELOY CORONALets always start with customers. What do growerswater stress management, mechanical harvest poten-is the executiveexpect of their seed companies? My experience withtial, shelf life, harvest loss minimization, etc., contribute director of the Seedgrowers for earning their business is a commitment toto what consumers want to choose from in grocery Innovation andseed varieties/hybrids that produce high yields, qual- shelves. Those are the basics.Protection Allianceity and consumer demand that keep their operatingOver the last two to three decades we have seen (SIPA). costs/unit down and their profitability potential high.an explosion of new vegetables to meet consumers Vegetable seed companies focus on delivering prod- unmet demands whether on their plate or in their ucts that consumers demand with good shelf life togardens. A plethora of abundant and nutritious vegeta-reduce spoilage at the grower shelf. ble choices are now available compared to the past. Yield, according to plant breeders is a function ofCultivars that produce in stressful climates and provide genetic potential, environment and managementthea dependable supply of food choices. old yield = f(genetic potential x environment x man- Vegetable seed companies must continually agement) equation. A growers own farm yield is gen- innovate in order to earn a growers seed business erally challenged with many types of stresses relatedand consumer acceptance and must reinvest approxi-to this equation: soil type, fertility, moisture availabilitymately 20-30% of revenues (turnover) back into new during season, planting dates, plant populations, pests,seed innovations. A seed company must provide a diseases, weeds, weather events, timing, heat units,complete portfolio to satisfy as large a swath of grow-seed treatments, harvest season and so much more!ers needs as well as consumer unmet demands. Dont Growers look for a seed innovation solution that helpsforget to factor in the many different crops seed and reduce the nickel and dime reduction in yield poten- outdoor and controlled environment agriculture sce-tial and quality that happen on the farm. narios companies may be committed to.Plant breeders focus on continually increasing theSeed innovations require a significant commitment yield potential of their elite lines through old and newof talented people, resources, and a germplasm pool plant breeding techniques. Both have a place, butover a long period of time to meet growers and con-todays new plant breeding techniques offer faster andsumers unmet needs.more precise understanding how to move two stepsAs of Nov. 15, the 8 billionth global citizen entered forward without taking a step backward! In-depththis world eager to be fed! understanding on what part of the genome is respon- Do you have that commitment?SWsible for yield, disease tolerance, stress mitigation, fruit 50/ SEEDWORLD.COMFEBRUARY 2023'