In recent weeks, residents of the USA, Great Britain, Spain, Portugal and Polandreceive unsolicited shipments of seeds from ChinaPlants grown from seeds of unknown origin pose a serious threat to agricultural crops and home gardens.The seeds themselves can also be a threat- warns Dr. Tomasz Kałuski, head of the Center for Research on Quarantine, Invasive and Genetically Modified Organisms at the Institute of Plant Protection - National Research Institute in Poznań.What to do when we receive a package with seeds of unknown origin?
Mysterious seeds from China may be a threat
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In recent weeks, the inhabitants of e.g. The United States, Great Britain, Spain, Portugal and Polandreceive unsolicited shipments containing seeds from ChinaIt is not known why these packages are being sent to specific addresses, or who is behind this action. One thing is certain - the seeds come from outside the European Union and are unmarked.
The quick reaction of the State Plant He alth and Seed Inspection Service proves that the situation is serious, andthe seeds pose a serious phytosanitary threat to native vegetation “Seeds from other parts of the world can be a threat for two reasons. First of all, they may be seeds of plant species unknown in Poland, which may displace those that occur naturally in our country. Secondly - seeds can transmit pathogens, including plant viruses ”- emphasizes Dr. Tomasz Kałuski from IOR - PIB.
Why new plant species can be dangerous for those found in Poland?We do not know what these plants are or how they will behave in our area. They can turn out to be invasive species or become new weeds that we know nothing about and which we will not be able to control. In the USA, some of these seeds were tested and found to be vegetable or spice seeds. On the other hand, it is the example of the USA that shows how cautiously we should be when "adopting" new species to our territory. It is estimated that in the USA 85% of invasive forest plants (trees and shrubs) were brought into the country on purpose (e.g. to stabilize embankments). Unfortunately, they broke free from controlled production and spread in the environment.
Another example of the invasiveness of the plant, already from the home yard, is Sosnowski's borscht, brought to Poland in the 1980s as a fodder plant. It turned out to be useless as feed, and dangerous.However, despite the ban on its cultivation, today you can also find entire meadows attacked by Sosnowski's borscht.Removal of such habitats requires special care and considerable costsAnother example may be field foxtail, which is grass originating in southern Europe and northern Africa, and has been brought to other European countries, including Poland. In new areas of occurrence, it is an invasive species, and also a weed in cereal crops.
“We should remember that plants, including seeds, can transmit pathogens not found in our latitude. The result may be the emergence of new plant diseases that we cannot deal with, ”emphasizes the head of the Center for Research on Quarantine, Invasive and Genetically Modified Organisms at the Institute of Plant Protection - National Research Institute in Poznań. That is whywarns against bringing plant seedlings or seeds also from summer trips"Sometimes one pot is really enough. An insect brought to Lombardy in Italy with a bonsai tree is responsible for the massive destruction of deciduous trees in this region, ”says Tomasz Kałuski.
In turn, in the 1990s in Japan,exotic plants appeared along roads and communication routes, which led to serious losses in crops , also caused problems in orchards and home gardens. The conducted research showed that the plants appeared in the country of the Rising Sun as an admixture to grain used for the production of concentrated animal feed.
“Although we rarely remember it, we live in an ecosystem that is relatively sustainable. The emergence of each new species poses a threat to this system of interconnectedness, as it upsets this balance. New plant species can destroy our crops, fruits or vegetables, significantly reducing yields. They can eradicate the local species, and pathogens - due to the lack of natural enemies and defense mechanisms of native vegetation - can do significant damage "- sums up Tomasz Kałuski.
Remember!
1.If you received an unmarked, unsolicited package of seeds , please report the matter to the police or to the voivode's crisis management team.
2.The package should not be opened, it is best to destroy itThe most effective method is incineration (we burn both seeds and potential pathogens: in a stove, in a fireplace, in a galvanized bucket, fire safety).
3.DO NOT try to sow plants(this is a phytosanitary threat to crops).
