Super Seeds

Super Seeds 

Here's a summary of the main points and conclusions from the Mad Scientist Supreme's talk on "super seeds":

**Main Points:**

*   **Selective Breeding for Seed Sizeo:**  We've selectively bred crops like peas for larger seed size because we eat the seeds. This has resulted in larger plants and higher yields.
*   **Untapped Potential:** Crops where we *don't* eat the seeds (like carrots, tomatoes, beets) haven't been bred for seed size, representing an untapped opportunity.
*   **Larger Seeds = Faster Growth & More Harvests:** Larger seeds provide more initial nutrition to the plant, leading to faster growth, earlier harvests, and potentially more harvests per season.
*   **Economic Benefits for Farmers:** Increased harvests translate to higher profit margins for farmers.
*   **Benefits for Consumers:** Increased supply could lead to lower prices and greater affordability of healthy foods.
*   **Example: Tomatoes:** Larger tomato seeds would make processing (like tomato paste production) easier by simplifying seed separation.
*   **Funding Strategy:**  The speaker proposes a grant-based system to incentivize farmers and breeders to develop larger seeds. Offer grants to those who can produce significantly larger seeds that demonstrate improved crop yields.

**Conclusions:**

*   Breeding for larger seed size in crops where we don't typically eat the seeds is a worthwhile endeavor.
*   It has the potential to significantly increase crop yields, improve farmer profitability, and make healthy food more accessible.
*   A grant-based system is a viable way to motivate breeders and farmers to pursue this goal.
*   This is a good opportunity for someone who is good at talking and selling stuff.