Seed Source Effects on Germination, Growth, and Yield of Carrots Under Natural Farming

Abstract

Natural farming is a type of low-input sustainable agricultural system that is characterized by the avoidance of the use of any animal materials. Production of self-produced seeds by farmers is recommended under natural farming environments, with an expectation of improved crop growth and yield. However, there have been no scientific studies that investigated the performance of self-produced seeds under natural farming. This study investigated the germination rate, growth, and yield of carrots (Daucus carota L.) from different seed sources under natural farming. The main experimental factor was the cultivation method: CT – control; CF – conventional farming; NF1 – natural farming with tillage and compost input; and NF2 – natural farming without tillage and compost, and the subfactor was the seed source: OPN – open-pollinated seeds self-produced under natural farming; OPC – open-pollinated seeds produced under conventional farming; and HB – hybrid seeds. The germination rate of OPN seeds was higher than that of other seeds. In addition, root fresh weight and other root parameters of OPN were as high as for HB seeds. This suggests that using self-produced seeds by farmers improves crop performance in a natural farming system.

Keywords

• epigenetic variation
• maternal environment effect
• natural farming
• no-tillage system
• seed germination