Reproduction
This is a successive generation of seeds or planting material obtained during the process of seed production from initial plant forms.
Также говорят: seed generation, seed class, varietal generation
Reproduction determines the level of genetic purity and the economic value of a crop. During multiplication, seeds progress through stages from elite to commercial crops, which allows maintaining varietal characteristics and high yield potential over many growing seasons.
Using seeds of low reproduction leads to variety degradation, loss of disease resistance, and a decline in crop performance. Farmers should regularly renew their seed stock, replacing seeds with higher reproduction classes to ensure consistent harvesting of high-quality products.
A common error is the uncontrolled use of farm-saved seeds from commercial plantings. This practice results in the accumulation of pathogens in the planting material and a significant reduction in the crop's adaptability to adverse environmental factors.