Print This PageHow Seminis Produces Hybrid Seeds
Hybrid seed production at Seminis requires rigorous processes to ensure high standards of quality. Hybrid parent lines are carefully shipped to Seminis-owned farms or to contracted seed growers. The male and female seeds are then planted side by side. Once the parental plants flower, they cross pollinate to produce the seed-bearing fruit. The fruits are monitored as they mature until they are ready for harvest. Finally the commercial hybrid seeds, also called F1 seed, are extracted from the fruit and shipped to one of twelve Seminis operations facilities where they are prepared for sale.
Only the Best Seeds Are Kept
Growing and harvesting high quality seeds is just the beginning. The seeds must be cleaned and conditioned, dried, sorted by size (for precision planters), thoroughly tested and packed prior to shipping. Many growing areas also require seeds to be treated with protectants, primed or pelleted. All of our seed is stored in bulk containers under controlled storage conditions. It is packed to order based on each customer's specifications.
These services all require years of training as well as specialized equipment and logistical systems to do well. It's one of the reasons why growers prefer to purchase seed each season from Seminis.
Seminis has 46 distribution and processing centers around the world.
All of our processes are designed to protect the quality of the seed — a fragile, living product.
Storage
To maintain the vigor of the seed and improve shelf-life, computerized systems at many of our locations maintain the ideal
temperature and humidity for storage – about 7° C (45° F) and 32% relative humidity.
Conditioning
Seed conditioners separate fully formed seeds by weight, size, shape and color. The process also removes plant materials,
debris, dead seed and seed from other plants.
Seed Treatments
Seed treatments can be applied to seeds to protect them from disease during their most vulnerable time in the ground. They can
also enhance germination, vigor and uniformity in the field. Common treatments include film coating, an application that coats
the seed with a polymer that can hold to seed protectants. The bright color also makes the seed easy to identify during planting.
In addition, some types of seed is "primed" to enhance its performance. Primed seeds have been hydrated and redried prior to
sale. Another popular option is pelleting, a thick coating that makes very small seeds larger, perfectly round, and easy to
handle. The pellet typically splits open or dissolves once it is in the ground and exposed to water.
Other seed treatments, such as hot water baths, are part of Seminis' comprehensive quality assurance system. These treatments
are designed to kill harmful bacteria that may be on the seed
Learn more about quality assurance »
Packaging
Highly accurate machines are used to pack seed by count, weight and volume, depending on the crop and market. Pouches, foils,
cans and pails are specially sealed to protect the seed during shipment and storage.
