The Controversial Seed Mystery: GMO, Hybrid, Organic, and Heirloom – What’s the Difference?

GMO, Hybrid, Organic, and Heirloom – What’s the Difference?

Hey there, garden enthusiasts and curious food lovers! It’s your friendly neighbourhood plantner, Vangawa, here to dive into the often confusing world of seeds. If you’ve ever found yourself standing in the garden centre, scratching your head over seed packet labels, you’re not alone. Today, we’re going to unpack the differences between GMO, hybrid, organic, and heirloom seeds. Buckle up, because this is going to be one seedy adventure!

But to start with, this morning of 31st August, 2024, I generated a debate after I posted on my Facebook handle, “They pack our natural and organic seeds to overseas while they feed us with GMOs!”

This controversy has been there for years, and till now, everyone has a different ideology towards the fact whether GMOs are truly good for the human race or not, especially Africans.

Abbo Ishaku, a former senator representing Adamawa North Senatorial District of Nigeria, questioned the post, saying, “What’s wrong with GMOs, Mike?” while a farmer, Frank Friday Onyebuchi Ihuoma, not satisfied by the question, responded, “Distinguished, if there is nothing wrong with GMOs, why don’t they accept it for export from our market? They only accept organic.”

While responding to a curious reader, Lawi Samaila Danjuma, Abbo explained while giving examples that;

“GMO (short for “genetically modified organism”) is a plant, animal or microbe in which one or more changes have been made to the genome, typically using high-tech genetic engineering, in an attempt to alter the characteristics of an organism.

In the case of an animal or plant. As it relates to agriculture, for example, goats hate rain because they are prone to Pneumonia while sheep love rain. Scientists for example will look for the genes in the sheep that make it resistant to Pneumonia and introduce same to goats so that they can be Pneumonia-free by genetically modifying their genes.

Or, for example, millet ( gero) is more resistant to drought than Maize. Scientists will look for the genes in millet that make it resistant to drought and genetically modify the maize seeds to make them resistant to drought-like millet.

GMO is top science but people misunderstand them because they feel that scientists are trying to act like God by modifying genes. It is more of religious sentimental feelings than facts“

 

In response still to the post I made, a university don, Dr. Vahyala Adamu Tari shared his perspective, noting; “No one packed our organic seed to foreign nations. Our governments are not sincere in promoting agriculture beyond subsistence level, nor do they create favorable conditions for agriculture to thrive despite our sound atmospheric condition and fertile arable land.” And while responding to the question Senator Abbo threw, Adamu said;

“Aside it potential health risk, the overwhelming dominance of it in the face of climate change and population explosion of the world, chances are, the imperialists would stylishly use it as a strategy for neo-colonialism which many scholars argued that is already manifesting.

But knowing your thinking from a distance, we can only put hands together as Stakeholders in agric sector is to challenge our authorities against surrendering our food needs to western nations by neglecting the needful and to leverage our natural food supply chain and manufacturing in line with the abundance of talents, relatively sufficient rainfall,conducive climate etc while being honest in investing more farmers protection against marauding foreign pastoralists, bandits, kidnappers.

Equally, with the right policies and synergy with numerous agricultural institutes, councils, colleges around the nooks and crannies of Nigeria, if subsidy on farm implements would be granted and irrigation system of farming is genuinely prioritised, we won’t be taking of food insecurity let alone GMOS viz-a-viz neo-colonialism.

In the final analysis, we all need to put hands on deck to flight the phenomenon of climate change and careless birth rate. Because, they are the root of all the worrying concern with GMOS and food insecurity in the world and the Third World Countries to be specific.”

Ngari Ayuba Faiva, an Economic Security Agronomist, Climate Smart Agricultural Specialist, not satisfied with the statement by the academic doctor said;

“Good and in-depth thoughts Prof, but am afraid not completely true. Currently, after decades of research and counter research there are no negative or danger of consuming GMOs. The general populations have the belief that they might be future challenges without any scientific proofs. Moreover, we have been consuming GMOs seeds for many years especially Soyabeans, Maize, cotton and some veggies. Personally I have my reservation because it’s endangered the local seeds we have especially in Africa.

As the risk and hazards of climate change persist, the future is GMOs to mitigate the negative impact or many will die of hunger.”

To Solomon Doyi, there is so much to be done in the side of the governmient in educating the populance on this controvercial GMOs, and how it helps or affect humans, outlining some recommendations. Doyi responded to the statement by saying;

Personally to me AGRIC RESEARCH COUNCIL need to step up

Let me Buttress my point Below.

The lack of dissemination of research findings to local farmers is a significant gap in the research process. Here are some reasons why this might happen:

1. Language barriers: Research findings are often published in academic journals or presented at conferences, using technical language that may be inaccessible to local farmers.
2. Limited extension services: In some areas, extension services that connect researchers with farmers may be weak or non-existent.
3. Focus on academic publication: Researchers might prioritize publishing their findings in academic journals over sharing them with local farmers.

To address this gap, researchers can:

1. Use plain language to communicate findings
2. Collaborate with extension services or local organizations
3. Engage with farmers during the research process
4. Share findings through local media, workshops, or training programs

You have read all they have to say about this debating topic, now lets dive in deeper and get to know the differences, Pros and Cons for theses variaties of seeds.

The Great Seed Debate

Let me start with a little story. Last spring, I was having coffee with my neighbour, Mrs. Saratu. She’s been gardening longer than I’ve been alive, and her tomatoes are the stuff of legend in our community. As we chatted about our plans for the growing season, she dropped a bombshell:

“You know, Vangawa,” she said, peering at me over her steaming mug, “I’ve been using the same tomato seeds for over 40 years. My grandmother got them as a gift from Italy. None of those newfangled GMO things for me!”

I nearly choked on my coffee. You see, while Mrs. Saratu’s tomatoes are undoubtedly delicious, her statement revealed a common misunderstanding about seeds. The truth is, GMO tomato seeds aren’t even available to home gardeners. But her comment got me thinking about how much confusion there is surrounding different types of seeds.

So, let’s break it down, shall we?

GMO Seeds: The Controversial Creators

Let’s start with the big bad wolf of the seed world: GMOs. GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism, and these seeds have had their DNA altered in a way that doesn’t occur naturally.

Dr. Pamela Ronald, a plant geneticist at the University of California, Davis, explains it this way:

“Genetic engineering is a ver y precise method of plant breeding that allows for the transfer of important genes for disease resistance or enhanced nutrition from one plant to another.”

Now, here’s the kicker: despite all the buzz, GMO seeds are not available for home gardeners. They’re primarily used in large-scale agriculture for crops like corn, soybeans, and cotton.

Pros of GMO seeds:

• Can be engineered for pest resistance, reducing the need for pesticides
• May have enhanced nutritional profiles
• Can be designed to withstand environmental stresses

Cons of GMO seeds:

• Controversial due to concerns about long-term health and environmental impacts
• This can lead to decreased biodiversity
• Often patented, which can create issues for farmers

Real-life example: The “Arctic Apple” is a GMO variety engineered not to brown when cut. While it’s not a seed you can buy, it’s an interesting example of GMO technology in action.

Hybrid Seeds: The Vigorous Offspring

Next up, we have hybrid seeds. These are created by cross-pollinating two different varieties of the same plant species. It’s like arranging a marriage between two plants to create super-babies!

My friend Tom, who runs a small organic farm, swears by certain hybrid varieties. He told me, “Hybrids get a bad rap sometimes, but they can be a godsend. My hybrid cucumbers produce like crazy and are more disease-resistant than the open-pollinated varieties I’ve tried.”

Pros of hybrid seeds:

• Often more vigorous and productive than their parents
• Can have better disease resistance
• May offer improved flavour or other desirable traits

Cons of hybrid seeds:

• More expensive than open-pollinated seeds
• Seeds saved from hybrid plants won’t produce the same characteristics in the next generation
• Some argue they contribute to a loss of genetic diversity

Real-life example: ‘Sun Gold’ cherry tomatoes are a popular hybrid known for their sweetness and productivity. I grew these last year, and let me tell you, I was swimming in delicious orange tomatoes all summer!

Organic Seeds: The Natural Nurturers

Now, let’s talk about organic seeds. These come from plants grown without synthetic fertilisers, pesticides, or other artificial inputs. It’s important to note that organic is a growing method, not a type of seed itself.

Carey Thornton, from Seed Savers Exchange, puts it well: “Organic seeds are grown using sustainable practices that work in harmony with nature. They’re a great choice for gardeners who want to avoid synthetic chemicals in their garden.”

Pros of organic seeds:

• Grown without synthetic chemicals
• Often more adaptable to organic growing conditions
• Support sustainable farming practices

Cons of organic seeds:

• Can be more expensive than conventional seeds
• May have lower germination rates in some cases
• Limited availability for some varieties

Personal anecdote: I switched to organic seeds in my vegetable garden this years. While I did notice a slight decrease in germination rates at first, I’ve found that the plants seem harder and better able to withstand pest pressure without chemical interventions.

Heirloom Seeds: The Time-Honoured Treasures

Last but certainly not least, we have heirloom seeds. These are open-pollinated varieties that have been passed down for generations, usually for at least 50 years.

Remember Mrs. Saratu and her Italian tomatoes? Those are likely heirlooms. These seeds are living history, carrying stories and flavours from the past into our present-day gardens.

Pros of heirloom seeds:

• Offer unique flavours and characteristics often lost in modern varieties
• Seeds can be saved and will produce plants true to the parent
• Preserve genetic diversity
• Often have great stories behind them

Cons of heirloom seeds:

• May be less disease-resistant than modern hybrids
• Often less productive than hybrid varieties
• Can be more challenging to grow in some cases

Jere Gettle, founder of Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, sums it up nicely:

“Heirloom seeds are like a living link to our past. They connect us to the flavours, colours, and resilience of plants that have stood the test of time.”

The Science Behind the Seeds

Now that we’ve got a basic understanding of our seed types, let’s dig a little deeper into how they’re created and what that means for us as gardeners.

GMO Seeds: The Lab-Coat Approach

GMO seeds are created in laboratories using various techniques to insert genes from one organism into another. This isn’t just crossing two tomatoes; we’re talking about adding genes from bacteria, viruses, or even animals into plants.

Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam, an animal genomics and biotechnology specialist at UC Davis, explains:

“GMO technology allows us to precisely add beneficial traits to plants, such as resistance to pests or improved nutritional content. It’s a powerful tool, but it’s also surrounded by a lot of misconceptions.“

One common example is Bt corn, which has a gene from a soil bacterium (Bacillus thuringiensis) inserted into its DNA. This gene produces a protein toxic to certain insect pests but harmless to humans.

While this technology isn’t available for home gardeners, it’s important to understand as it impacts our food system. The debate around GMOs is complex and ongoing, with valid concerns on both sides.

Hybrid Seeds: The Birds and the Bees (with a Little Human Help)

Creating hybrid seeds is more like traditional breeding on steroids. Plant breeders carefully select parent plants with desirable traits and manually cross-pollinate them. The resulting seeds are F1 hybrids—the first generation offspring of two different plant varieties.

My friend Sarah, a small-scale seed producer, describes the process:

“It’s like playing plant matchmaker. We choose parents with complementary traits—maybe one that’s disease-resistant and another that’s super flavourful—and help them create baby plants that hopefully inherit the best of both worlds.”

The catch? If you save seeds from hybrid plants, the next generation won’t have the same characteristics. They’ll revert to a mix of traits from the grandparent plants.

Organic Seeds: It’s All About the Growing Method

Organic seeds come from plants grown without synthetic pesticides, fertilisers, or other prohibited substances. The seeds themselves aren’t necessarily different, but the way they’re produced is.

Frank Morton, owner of Wild Garden Seed, puts it this way:

“Organic seed production is about working with nature, not against it. We focus on building healthy soil and creating diverse ecosystems that naturally support plant health.“

This approach can lead to seeds that are better adapted to organic growing conditions, which can be a big plus for organic gardeners.

Heirloom Seeds: A Living Time Capsule

Heirloom seeds are all about preservation. These are open-pollinated varieties that have been passed down through generations, each seed carrying a piece of agricultural history.

Diane Ott Whealy, co-founder of Seed Savers Exchange, beautifully captures the essence of heirlooms:

“Each seed tells a story. It might be the bean that great-grandma brought from the old country or the tomato that a soldier carried home after World War II. These seeds connect us to our roots and to the taste of the past.”

Heirlooms are often regionally adapted, having been grown and selected in specific areas for many years. This can make them well-suited to local growing conditions.

The Biodiversity Question

One of the big debates in the seed world is about biodiversity. Let’s break it down:

• GMOs: Critics argue that the widespread use of GMO crops reduces genetic diversity in our food system. On the flip side, proponents say GMO technology could potentially be used to preserve endangered plant species.
• Hybrids: While F1 hybrids themselves don’t reduce biodiversity, the focus on developing and using hybrids can lead to fewer varieties being grown commercially.
• Organic: The organic approach often emphasises preserving diverse plant varieties, which can contribute positively to biodiversity.
• Heirlooms: These seeds are biodiversity champions! By preserving old varieties, heirloom gardeners help maintain a diverse genetic pool.

Dr. Stephen Smith, a germplasm expert, notes:

“Maintaining crop diversity is crucial for food security. We need a wide range of genetic resources to breed plants that can adapt to changing conditions, resist new diseases, and meet future challenges.”

Choosing the Right Seeds for Your Garden

So, with all this information, how do you decide what to plant? Here are some factors to consider:

1. Your Growing Conditions: Are you dealing with specific pest pressures or climate challenges? Hybrids might offer better resistance, while heirlooms could be well-adapted to your local conditions.
2. Your Gardening Goals: Are you all about maximum yield, or do you want to explore unique flavours? Hybrids often win on productivity, but heirlooms can offer taste experiences you won’t find elsewhere.
3. Seed Saving: If you want to save seeds, stick with open-pollinated varieties (including heirlooms). Hybrid seeds won’t produce true-to-type plants in the next generation.
4. Ethics and Values: If supporting sustainable agriculture is important to you, organic seeds might be the way to go. If preserving agricultural heritage resonates with you, heirlooms could be your jam.
5. Experimentation: Why not try a mix? I love to plant a few reliable hybrids alongside some exciting heirloom varieties each year.

Seed Saving: Preserving the Future

If you’re interested in seed saving, here’s a quick primer:

Open-pollinated seeds (including heirlooms) will produce plants like the parents. To save seeds:

1. Choose your healthiest, best-producing plants.
2. Let the fruits fully ripen on the plant.
3. Harvest the seeds, clean them, and dry thoroughly.
4. Store in a cool, dry place.

Jere Gettle advises:

“When saving seeds, be aware of cross-pollination. Some plants, like tomatoes, are self-pollinating and easy to save. Others, like squash, readily cross-pollinate and need special techniques to keep varieties pure.“

Remember, seed saving is more than just a money-saving tactic—it’s a way to actively participate in preserving biodiversity and adapting plants to your specific growing conditions.

The Great Seed Debate: Finding Common Ground

As we’ve seen, each type of seed has its pros and cons. The debates around seeds—especially GMOs—can get heated. But it’s important to remember that we’re all working towards the same goal: feeding ourselves and the world in a sustainable way.

Dr. Pamela Ronald, whom we quoted earlier, co-authored a book with her husband, an organic farmer. She says,

“The discussions about seeds and farming practices often create a false dichotomy. In reality, we need to use the best of both organic and conventional practices, including genetic engineering when appropriate, to create a sustainable food system.”

This balanced approach resonates with me. In my own garden, I use a mix of hybrid and heirloom seeds, all grown organically. It’s about finding what works best for each situation.

Practical Tips for Seed Success

No matter what type of seeds you choose, here are some tips to help you get the most out of them:

1. Know Your Zone: Understanding your hardiness zone and local climate is crucial for selecting seeds that will thrive in your area.
2. Start Small: If you’re new to gardening, don’t go crazy buying every seed that catches your eye (trust me, I’ve been there!). Start with a few varieties and expand as you gain experience.
3. Keep Records: Note which varieties perform well in your garden. This information is gold for future planning.
4. Store Seeds Properly: Keep seeds in a cool, dry place. I use mason jars with silica gel packets to absorb moisture.
5. Do a Germination Test: For older seeds, test germination rates before planting. Place a few seeds between damp paper towels and check for sprouting after a few days.

My friend Maria, a master gardener, shared this tip:

“I always sow a few extra seeds than I think I need. It’s insurance against poor germination, and if they all sprout, I can share the extras with neighbours!”

The Future of Seeds

As we look to the future, several trends are shaping the world of seeds:

1. Climate Resilience: With changing weather patterns, there’s a growing focus on developing seeds that can withstand extreme conditions.
2. Nutrition-Focused Breeding: Both conventional and organic breeders are working on creating varieties with enhanced nutritional profiles.
3. Urban Gardening: The rise of city gardening is driving demand for compact plant varieties suited to small spaces.
4. Rediscovering “Lost” Varieties: There’s renewed interest in finding and preserving old varieties, especially those with cultural significance.
5. Participatory Plant Breeding: Some organisations are involving farmers and gardeners in the breeding process, creating varieties tailored to local needs.

Dr. Phillip Griffiths, a vegetable breeder at Cornell University, notes:

“The future of seed breeding lies in combining traditional techniques with modern technology to create resilient, nutritious, and productive varieties that can thrive in diverse conditions.”

Seed Regulations and Your Rights

It’s worth noting that seed regulations can vary by country and even by state. In the US, for example, seed saving is generally allowed for home gardeners, but there can be restrictions for commercial farmers, especially with patented varieties.

Andrew Kimbrell, executive director of the Centre for Food Safety, advises:

“Gardeners should be aware of their rights when it comes to seeds. While most home gardeners won’t run into issues, it’s good to understand the basics of seed laws, especially if you’re interested in seed saving or sharing.“

Building a Seed Community

One of the most rewarding aspects of gardening is the community that grows around it. Here are some ways to get involved:

1. Seed Swaps: Attend or organise local seed swaps. These events are great for trying new varieties and meeting fellow gardeners.
2. Community Gardens: If space is limited, consider joining a community garden. It’s a fantastic way to learn from others and share resources.
3. Online Forums: Join gardening forums or social media groups. The wealth of knowledge in these communities is astounding.
4. Support Seed Libraries: Many public libraries now have seed libraries where you can “borrow” seeds and return seeds from your harvest.

Personal Anecdote: This year, I am starting a small seed library in our local community. The enthusiasm i believe would be incredible! We will begin to have a monthly “garden talk” sessions where people can share tips, swap seeds, and plan community gardening projects.

Closing Thoughts

As we wrap up our seedy journey, I hope you’ve gained a deeper understanding of the complex and fascinating world of seeds. Whether you’re team heirloom, hybrid enthusiast, organic advocate, or just a curious gardener, remember that each seed holds the potential for beauty, nourishment, and connection.

Vandana Shiva, a prominent environmental activist, beautifully captures the essence of seeds:

“In every seed, there is a promise of a forest.”

So, the next time you’re holding a packet of seeds, take a moment to appreciate the story, science, and potential in your hands. Happy gardening, everyone!

And remember, no matter what seeds you choose, the most important ingredient in any garden is the care and attention you give it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some seeds to plant!