Germains Seed Technology recently introduced ProBio® gopure®, a new organic process that removes bacterial seed-borne pathogens from Swiss chard, beet, and coriander seeds.
A certified organic seed treatment, ProBio gopure results in significant reduction in Pseudomonas syringae pv.aptata from Swiss chard and beet seeds, and Pseudomonas syringae pv.coriandricola from coriander seeds. It may also help reduce the transfer of pathogenic organisms onto other crops and the field.
ProBio gopure was developed by Germains as a custom solution for an organic grower who had 100,000 pounds of Swiss chard seed that had been contaminated with a seed-borne bacterial disease. The Research and Development Team in Gilroy, California collaborated with the customer to formulate an effective certified organic disinfection treatment now known as ProBio gopure.
Dale Krolikowski, Head of Research and Operations of Germains Seed Technology said, "Harvesting clean, pathogen-free seed has always been a challenge for organic seed producers and growers. And without chemical controls to prevent the spread of diseases, an infection of bacterial leaf spot (Pseudomonas spp.) can cause complete crop failure in organic baby leaf crops. ProBio gopure is an innovative solution developed to solve a real problem for organic growers."
As consumers learn more about the benefits of a healthy diet bolstered by vitamin-rich leafy greens, consumer demand for organic produce has grown significantly. The United States is the largest single organic market in the world, with over 3 million acres of certified organic cropland in the United States (according to USDA 2014 production data). Canada and Mexico have also seen dramatic growth in organic production in recent years.
For more information about ProBio gopure and other innovative products from Germains Seed Technology, go to germains.com.