Editing Seed saving (section)

==Method==
To be successful at seed saving, new skills need to be developed to ensure that desired characteristics are retained in the [[landrace]]s of the plant variety. Important considerations are the separation distance needed from plants of the same species to ensure that cross-pollination with another variety does not occur, and the [[Genetic drift|minimum number]] of plants to be grown which will preserve inherent genetic diversity. It is also necessary to recognize the preferred characteristics of the cultivar being grown so that plants that are [[Volunteer (botany)|not breeding true]] are selected against, and to understand the [[Selective breeding|breeding of improvements]] to the cultivar. [[Plant pathology|Diseases]] that are seed-borne must be recognized so that they can be eliminated. [[Seedbank|Seed storage]] methods must be good enough to maintain viability of the seed. [[Germination]] requirements must be known so that periodic tests can be made.

Care must be taken, as training materials regarding seed production, cleaning, storage, and maintenance often focus on making landraces more uniform, distinct and stable (usually for commercial application) which can result in the loss of valuable adaptive traits unique to local varieties.<ref>{{cite conference |editor-last1=Jarvis |editor-first1=D. |editor-first2=B. |editor-last2=Sthapit |editor-first3=L. |editor-last3=Sears |year=2000 |title=Conserving agricultural biodiversity in situ: a scientific basis for sustainable agriculture |conference=Proceedings of a workshop. Rome, Italy: IPGRI|hdl=10568/104154}}</ref>

Additionally, there is a matter of localized nature to be considered.
In the upper northern hemisphere, and lower southern, one sees a seasonal change in terms of a cooler winter. Many plants go to seed and then go dormant. These seeds must hibernate until their respective spring season.