What is the difference between organic seeds and conventional seeds?

Modern-day farming may have tapped into the production of higher yields, but it is detrimental to plant biodiversity and the environment we inhabit. Research regarding conventional seeds holds a distinct funding edge over organic seeds, which is why people are largely unaware of the various environmental and health benefits that can be reaped when organic seeds are sown.

But what exactly are organic seeds? We can better address this question once we are familiar with conventional seeds.

Conventional seeds

These are grown using pesticides and chemical fertilizers. These seeds are also treated prior to packaging using an approved chemical that can assist them in overcoming issues that can impact germination and plant growth in the early stages. It also protects the seeds from catching fungal, bacterial, and insect-related damage. These chemicals break down fairly early on in the soil, usually within a few weeks if not days.

Organic seeds

Organic seeds are different from their counterpart in that they are not chemically treated. They are grown using commercial growing means. Put simply, a plant must go through an entire cycle in its life to produce seed. Even if it is in the ground for a few extra weeks, an organic plant remains free of chemicals, and so does the land around it.

Another way organic seeds differ from conventional seeds is that they can withstand harsher conditions. Think about it yourself – if a seed is not chemically enhanced, it will have to learn to adapt naturally. Organic seeds will develop natural means to ward off pests and extreme weather conditions. Because they will be intrinsically stronger, imagine the benefits they will provide you!

Organic seeds benefit

Organic seeds are optimal in a number of ways, including their color, flavor, nutrition and natural defenses. In addition, they promote genetic diversity. While conventional farmers cannot plant the same seeds every year, organic farmers can do so. This fact results in organic farmers selecting the strongest, best seeds and using those to ensure that they make up a large share of the crop.

Because the environment is dynamic and climate change is real, it is crucial to understand the evolving needs of farming systems in place. Ensuring a hefty amount of organic seeds that will be able to withstand these developments becomes essential.

A smaller genetic base can endanger conventional plants through a higher likelihood of diseases and insect vulnerability. Conventional farmers do not typically practice crop rotation; nor do they plant seeds harboring genetic resistance. While resistance may not grant the plant immunity, it will surely decrease losses in yield.

When harvesting seeds, crops must stay in the field much longer than food crops for the seeds to mature. The longer a seed remains in the soil, the higher the likelihood of it contracting pests or diseases.

What this means is that when considering organic seeds, the farmer must keep the plant healthy all the way until the seeds mature. The farmer will actively have to pull out plants that get hit by pests and diseases, maintaining the ones that remain healthy all the way through the long season.

Intake of organic food means you know you are putting nature’s best inside your body. Perhaps that is the most crucial difference, one that many are not aware of. Try switching to an environment-friendly diet full of flavor and nutrients; you may never want to go back to what’s conventional!