Introduction
Ontario is a world-class producer of seed corn, due to the
region's exceptional combination of climate, soils, production
expertise and infrastructure. As with other production areas,
the competitive nature of the North American seed corn industry
has had a significant impact in Ontario. Maintaining productivity
and quality under variable conditions is critical to the ongoing
sustainability, competitiveness and viability of the Ontario seed
corn industry.
The development of this Best Management Practices Manual for Ontario
seed corn growers, the seed corn industry and other stakeholders
will help us meet these and future challenges. Being proactive
and meeting these challenges will maintain the Ontario seed corn
industry's reputation for dependable yields and providers of superior
quality seed corn.
At this time we would like to thank the Agricultural Adaptation
Council (AAC), the Seed Corn Companies, Syngenta Crop Protection
and many others for their participation.
“A consistent product and sustainable (environmental)
approach to pest control and seed corn crop production.”
Preface
The Seed Corn Best Management Practices Manual is aimed to assist
seed corn producers, consultants, seed corn company personnel and
others in the identification and management of many of the common
problems associated with seed corn production in Ontario. This is
the first edition of this manual and it is our intention to further
develop the manual and future updates can be found on the Seed Corn
Growers Website at: www.seedcorngrowers.on.ca.
The information included in this manual are intended as a guide
and based on the most current information available. Please contact
your seed corn company if you have any questions concerning specific
inbreds.
Any comments or requests for additional copies can be made by contacting
either:
Mary Lynn Lister Santavy
Executive Director
Seed Corn Growers of Ontario
825 Park Avenue West
Chatham, Ontario N7M 5J6
Phone: 519-352-6710
Fax: 519-352-0256
msantavy@seedcorngrowers.on.ca
Albert Tenuta
Field Crop Plant Pathologist
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs
P.O. Box 400,
Ridgetown, Ontario
Phone: 519-674-1690
Fax: 519-674-1617
albert.tenuta@ontario.ca
Acknowledgments
This project was supported by the Canada-Ontario Research and
Development Program and administered by the Agricultural Adaptation
Council. Funding is being provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food
Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Rural
Affairs under the Canada-Ontario Agricultural Safety Net Management
Agreement. In addition, Syngenta Crop Protection Canada (Guelph,
Ontario, Canada) has provided additional funding to assist with
the production of the manual. We would like to thank Syngenta
Crop Protection, the authors, Sharon Jochim (OMAFRA, Ridgetown)
and others for their contributions.
Photos and graphics were obtained from many sources and we have
made every effort to acknowledge these sources. We apologize if
any errors have occurred.
|
