Farming native seeds for site specific mixtures and the importance of quality-standards in the wild seed market
in Europe
Birgit Feucht, Riger-Hofmann GMBH, Blaufelden, Germany
I. Farming wild-seeds of regional origin by indigenous cultivation: After collecting the wild-seeds in their natural
habitats they are cultivated as singular species. This suits the purpose to preserve the natural populations and to
enlarge the amount of seeds for trade in the next generation. The single species are then recomposed in mixtures
for different site-related conditions and the needs of the client. The compositions of the mixtures are created
according to the natural plant societies and the region of the future receptor site. The aim is to stay in the same
region.
II. Use of seed mixtures: Wild seed-mixtures can be used for example in: bioengineering or renaturalization,
species rich borders, greening up of industrial sites, the establishment of vegetation on roofs
III. Quality aspects of wild seeds: Guarantee of the indigenous origin of the basic seed, Preservation of a high
genetic spectrum, Cultivation of the basic seed in the same region, Preservation of a high germination rate, High
purity of the seeds, Control of the flow of goods, all these aspects should be assured by an independent certificate.
European seed market for indigenous wild seeds. Because of the influence of the European legal framework on
national and regional seed markets we sustain the efforts of a European network and the development of
European quality standards.