4.1. Seed quality
In the Netherlands, seed quality of organic spring wheat ismainly compromised by Fusarium head blight [16]. Farmers andthe main organic cereal trader, who also is the main multiplierof organic wheat seeds, prefer resistant varieties. Non-chemicalseed treatments with warm water or steam, that are allowed underorganic regulation, are effective against Fusarium. However, thesetreatments increase seed costs and are therefore only applied inyears with severe infestations of the seed crops. In conventionalagricultural, impaired seed quality due to diseases is not considereda problem because seeds are commonly treated with a fungicide.Breeders do select for Fusarium head blight resistance, though,because this disease also reduces yield and product quality (seebelow