Certified Professional Horticulturist (CPH) Practice Exam

What is the consequence of saving and planting your own vegetable seeds?

1. The seeds are likely to produce higher quality plants with more desirable traits

2. The germination rate will be higher

3. The resulting plants are likely to revert to some undesirable genetic traits such as reduced yield or vigor.

4. The plants will germinate faster

The correct answer is: The resulting plants are likely to revert to some undesirable genetic traits such as reduced yield or vigor.

Choosing to save and plant your own vegetable seeds can lead to some unintended consequences, particularly related to genetic traits. When seeds are saved from hybrid plants, there is a risk that the next generation may not express the desired traits from the parent plant. This means that the resulting plants can revert to more hereditary characteristics, which may include undesirable qualities such as reduced yield, less vigor, or other traits that are not favorable for cultivation. This phenomenon occurs because many hybrid vegetables are bred for specific traits and their seeds do not produce offspring that consistently display those superior characteristics. Instead, they may express a mix of genetic traits, with some reverting to traits from older ancestral varieties. This inherent genetic variability can result in a crop that is less productive or lower in quality than the previous generation. Thus, while saving seeds can be a cost-effective practice, it can also introduce unpredictability in plant performance and characteristics.