Expanding demand for organic produce is driving a need for larger quantities of commercially-available organic seed. Concomitantly, organic producers wish to have the superior qualities realizable in first-generation (F1) hybrids for many crops. This SBIR project seeks to develop a cost-effective, commercial-scale process for producing organically-suitable F1 hybrid seed. OBJECTIVES: Expanding demand for organic produce is driving a need for larger quantities of commercially-available organic seed. Concomitantly, organic producers wish to have the superior qualities realizable in first-generation (F1) hybrids for many crops. This SBIR project seeks to develop a cost-effective, commercial-scale process for producing organically-suitable F1 hybrid seed. The ability to produce organic hybrid seed on a commercial scale will allow, and justify the cost of, development of new varieties particularly suited to organic agricultural systems. At present there is no commercial-scale means to produce organic hybrid seed, and thus vegetable breeders have little incentive to develop varieties for this market. This project attempts to develop a method to produce economically-viable organic hybrid seed by using a natural plant compound in place of the synthetic compound typically used in conventional hybrid squash seed production. APPROACH: In Phase I High Mowing Seeds will assess the objective for Cucurbita pepo (summer squashes, zucchini, pumpkins, certain winter squashes). Organically-appropriate methods for hybrid seed production in Cucurbita pepo typically require labor-intensive techniques such as hand-pollination or hand-emasculation of the female parent. Using the natural plant hormone ethylene, we propose to achieve more consistent results and eliminate 40-50% of the labor of producing organic hybrid seed. While ethylene gas use for this purpose is not specifically allowed under USDA National Organic Program Rules, ethylene is allowed for floral induction, post-harvest ripening, and degreening of certain fruits. With completion of this project, we believe a petition to the National Organic Standards Board for use of ethylene in hybrid seed production is highly likely to succeed. The broader outcome will be substantial increase in organic production with its attendant environmental benefits, improved vegetable varieties, and a significant opportunity for organic seed producers
