Main Challenges and Solutions in Spring Wheat Seed Production
Wang Xiulan, Xu Yongtai, Shen Qingling, Zhao Desheng
(Yuzhu County Seed Management Station, Qinghai Province, 810500)
Huzhu County is located in the northeastern part of Qinghai Province, at an average elevation of 2,700 meters. It experiences a cold but not severe winter, and a cool summer, with an average annual temperature of 3.5°C. This area falls under a continental cold and temperate climate, making it ideal for high-yield crop production. The total cultivated area in the county is 59,000 hectares, with spring wheat being the third-largest crop after rapeseed and potatoes. However, in recent years, several challenges have emerged in the seed production of spring wheat, prompting a detailed analysis of the issues and potential solutions.
**1. Major Issues in Spring Wheat Seed Production**
**1.1 Decentralized Seed Production**
Since the implementation of the household contract responsibility system, seed production departments have struggled to maintain uniform quality and management standards. Large-scale centralized seed production has become increasingly difficult due to the widespread use of the "company-based farmer households" model. This decentralized approach leads to significant challenges in managing the seed base, particularly during field inspections, which are time-consuming and labor-intensive. Field-by-field operations are often impractical, leading to inefficiencies in monitoring and maintaining seed purity.
**1.2 Disorganization and Mixed Varieties**
The spontaneous planting by farmers has led to disorderly sowing and the introduction of unregulated varieties. Many farmers still plant outdated or low-quality strains, resulting in serious issues of variety mixing and inconsistency. At harvest time, most farmers manually select seeds, making it difficult to control mechanical mixing. With only sensory assessments from technicians, ensuring seed quality remains a challenge.
**1.3 Low Commodity Rate**
Qinghai is a major spring wheat-producing region, yet the commodity rate of spring wheat remains low. Due to its short growing season, low propagation coefficient, and small production-to-investment ratio, spring wheat is less competitive compared to other crops. Additionally, its poor color and processing quality make it less appealing in the market. As a result, farmers are reluctant to prioritize spring wheat, leading to a decline in its production area and difficulties in maintaining a stable seed supply.
**1.4 Poor Seed Quality**
Although Huzhu County has introduced several new spring wheat varieties such as Lantian No. 3, Lemai No. 5, Plateau No. 448, Minhe 853, Jinmai No. 13, and Jimai No. 14, many of these varieties face challenges such as weak disease resistance and poor performance. Some have been phased out or reduced in area over time. Currently, most farmers still rely on older varieties like “Mutual Aid Red†and “Arbo,†which have been planted for decades due to their stability and ease of renewal. Farmers urgently need access to high-quality, high-yield, and disease-resistant varieties.
**1.5 Genetic Degradation**
Due to limited funding and the transformation of state-owned farms, the traditional "three-reserve system" used for improving seed purity has become less effective. While this method ensures higher purity, it is costly and requires large land areas. As a result, only a few main varieties can be purified and rejuvenated, leaving other varieties without proper maintenance. This leads to genetic degradation and limits the long-term viability of improved cultivars.
**2. Strategies for Improvement**
First, increasing awareness and promoting scientific methods in seed production is essential. By adopting a "one township, one industry" model, different regions can focus on specific varieties, ensuring better management and quality control. For example, Xishan Township focuses on "Mutual Aid," while Hongyazigou specializes in "Abo." These efforts help improve seed purity, yield, and overall quality.
Second, reducing production costs and increasing efficiency through advanced agricultural techniques such as dry-fertilization and fine-seeding can enhance productivity. By optimizing fertilization and crop structure, farmers can achieve higher yields while lowering input costs.
Third, strengthening the seed breeding system by involving county, township, and village levels in a coordinated effort ensures that new varieties are properly tested and maintained. This helps prevent genetic degradation and meets the diverse needs of local farmers.
Fourth, increasing government support and funding for seed research will accelerate the introduction and extension of improved varieties, creating a sustainable seed production cycle.
Finally, enhancing inspection procedures—both in the field and in the lab—will ensure seed quality and prevent contamination. This includes strict monitoring from seed selection to storage, reducing the risk of hybrid seeds entering the market.
**3. Gaps Between China’s Seed Market and Mature Markets**
China's seed industry is still in its early stages of development, lagging behind more mature global markets. One key issue is the lack of integration between education, research, and commercialization. Breeding resources remain concentrated in state-owned institutions, while seed companies primarily focus on production and sales. This results in limited investment in R&D and a lack of stable variety support for enterprises.
Another challenge is the oversupply of seed products, leading to intense competition among small and medium-sized companies. This often results in blind production and market instability, especially in crops like corn and rice. Additionally, the seed market faces issues with enforcement and regulation, including unfair practices and local protectionism that hinder fair competition.
**4. Innovation and Development for Competitive Growth**
To enhance competitiveness, Chinese seed companies must become the main drivers of technological innovation. Strong intellectual property rights and variety development are crucial for long-term success. International cooperation and technology transfer will also play a vital role in advancing domestic seed enterprises.
In conclusion, the future of China's seed industry depends on continuous innovation, improved technical services, and stronger brand management. With government support and strategic reforms, the industry can grow into a more competitive and sustainable sector, benefiting both farmers and the broader agricultural economy.
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