A Defra-sponsored project is finding success with a new range of organically produced vegetable seed.

And staff at Horticultural Research International and collaborators at Elsoms Seeds, Henry Doubleday Research Association and Elm Farm Research Centre report that parsnips in particular are showing exciting results.

Under production in Spanish tunnels, the yield and the quality of the seeds are said to be very good. Encouraging news given the usual difficulties of such a crop.

Organic parsnip seed from the 2001 harvest is now undergoing farm-scale trial for further evaluation in conjunction with Elsoms Seeds of Spalding.

It is hoped that trials will allow a better understanding of crop performance compared with conventionally produced seed and the plots will be on show later on in the year.

But parsnips are not the only contender. Winter cauliflower, spinach, chickpea, runner beans and coriander are other seeds being organically produced under the project.

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