Introduction of Seed production

Introduction contains the topics

1.Definition and scope of seed and
seed technology.
2.Concept of Seed Quality.
3.Categories and classes of seeds.
4.Brief history of its development in India.
5.Relevant organizations in India and
abroad.
 What is seed?
• A seed, stands for any of the following used
for sowing or planting,
• i. Seeds of food crops including edible oil
seeds and seeds of fruit and vegetables
• ii. Cotton seeds
• iii. Seeds of cattle fodder
• iv. Jute seeds
• v. Seedlings, tubers, bulbs, rhizomes, roots,
cuttings, all types of grafts and other
vegetatively propagated material for food
crops or cattle fodder.
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 Definitions
Seed:A true seed is a
reproductive unit that develops from
ovules and contains an embryo
sporophyte and food reserves; the
food is located either in embryo
itself or in some external storage
tissue; it is the fertilized mature
ovule.
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 Seed
2. A mature ovule consisting of an
embryonic plant together with a
store of food, all surrounded by a
protective coat.
3. Any plant part used for the
purpose of further propagation or
multiplication.it is also termed as
Propagule.
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 Concept of seed technology
Difference between seed and grain is vital.
• The main concept is to harness the potential
of embryo , the embedded living portion
with in the food storage tissue. Its main work
is to protect the biological entity and look
after its welfare.
• When we deal the second component ,the
food storage tissue welfare and quality than
we deal the food technology
 Difference between scientifically produced seed and the
grain (used as seed)

S. No Scientifically produced seed Grain (used as seed)

01 It is the results of well planned seed It is the part of commercial

production programme. produce, saved for sowing/
planting purposes.
02 It is the result of sound Scientific No such knowledge or
knowledge, organized effort, effort is required.
investment on processing, storage
and marketing facilities.

The pedigree of the seed is Its varietal purity is

03
ensured. It can be related to the unknown.
initial breeders seed.
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 Difference between scientifically produced seed and the
grain (used as seed)

4 The seed is tested for planting quality, Routine seed testing is not done
namely, germination, purity admixture of
weed seeds and other crop seeds, seed
health and seed moisture content.
5 The seed is scientifically processed, The grain used as seed may be
treated and packed and labeled with proper manually cleaned. In some cases,
lot identity. prior to sowing it may also be
treated. This is not labeled
6 During production effort is made to rogue No such effort is made. Hence,
out off types, diseased plants the purity and health status may
Objectionable weeds and other crop plants be inferior.
at appropriate stages of crop growth which
ensures satisfactory seed purity and health.

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 Concept of Seed quality fo'ks"krk]
xq.k]
• Genetic purity (Trueness to the parent type)
identical in plant agronomic and other
characters.
• Physical purity ( Seed lot should be of same
kind , free from inert matter,broken grains
less than half in size, soil and dust
particle,chaff etc).
• Seed germination and vigour.
• Planting value (It is the real worth of seed)
It is calculated by pure live seed percentage.PLS
PLS= Pure seed % ⁄ 100 X Germination % / 100 X 100.

• Freedom from weeds and other crop seeds.

• Seed health (Absence of disease and pest on

seed lot).
• Seed moisture (Seed must be dried to safe
moisture content)
 Other seed characteristics
• Seed size (Should be higher)
• Seed weight (Should be higher)
• Seed specific gravity (Should be higher)
• Seed colour (seed shine indicates seed
quality and health )
SEED QUALITY : It is the degree of excellence
in regard to the characteristics referred above
that determines the seed quality
 Role of Seed / Seed Technology
1. A carrier of new technology. (112 % in
cereals, 124 % in potatoes, 142 % in sugar beet reported in
central Europe)

2. A basic tool for secured food supply.

3. A principal means to secure crop
yield in less favorable areas of
production.
4. A medium for rapid rehabilitation of
agriculture in case of natural disaster.
 What is Seed Technology ?
Seed technology is the creation and
application of the knowledge on
seed for its better usage in
agriculture.
That discipline of study having to do
with seed production, maintainence,
quality and preservation (Cowan
1973)
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Goals/Aims of Seed Technology

1. Rapid multiplication of popular

varieties.
2. Timely supply of improves
seeds/Propagules in time and space.
3. Assurance of high quality seeds.
4. Availability of seeds at a reasonable
price
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 Scope of Seed Technology / dk;Z{ks=] volj]
1. Provision of scientific technique for Seed
production .
2. Provision of guidelines to maintain the
seed certification standards.
3. Adequate and timely supply of seeds on the
market.
4. Provision of technical knowledge to check
the govt. statutory guidelines of seed
standards.

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 Classes of seed/ chtks dk ntkZ

• Nucleus or Basic Seed /

ukfHkd cht
• BREEDER SEED iztud cht
• FOUNDATION SEED/vk/kkj cht
• CERTIFIED SEED
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pj.k /Stages I of Seed production
Nucleus Seed

BREEDER SEED

FOUNDATION SEED

CERTIFIED SEED

Farmers field
 Stages II of Seed production
Nucleus Seed I Nucleus Seed II
BREEDER SEED I BREEDER SEED II

FOUNDATION SEED I FOUNDATION SEED II

CERTIFIED SEED I CERTIFIED SEED II

Farmers field
 Nucleus or Basic Seed
Nucleus seed (or basic seed) is the
original or first seed (= propagating
material) of a variety available with the
producing breeder or any other
recognized breeder of the crop.
This seed has 100% genetic and physical
purity along with high standards of all
other seed quality parameters.

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 BREEDER SEED
• Breeder seed is the progeny of the
nucleus seed and is the source for
foundation seed.
• Its production is directly controlled by the
originating plant breeder who developed
the variety, or any other institution or
qualified breeder recognized by the
authorities.
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 FOUNDATION SEED

• It is the progeny of breeder seed or

certified Foundation Seed itself.
• When it is the progeny of breeder
seed it is called Foundation Seed Stage
I.
• When it is the progeny of certified
foundation seed-I, it is called;
Foundation Seed Stage II
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 CERTIFIED SEED
• Certified seed is the seed, which is
certified by a Seed Certification Agency
notified under section 8 of the Indian
Seeds Act (1966) or by any other foreign
certification agency provided the
concerned agency is recognized by the
Government of India through
notification in the Official Gazette.
Contd----
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 CERTIFIED SEED

• Generally, it is known as the

progeny of foundation seed and
its production is so handled as
to maintain specified genetic
identity and purity standards as
prescribed for the crop being
certified.
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 Types of Certified Seed
Certified Seed

Certified Foundation Stage I & II

Certified Seed Stage I & II
 Seed multiplication system
• A. Three - Generation model
Breeder seed - Foundation seed - Certified seed
• B. Four - Generation model
Breeder seed - Foundation seed (I) Foundation
seed (II) - Certified seed
• C. Five - Generation model
Breeder seed - Foundation seed (I)- Foundation
seed (II) -Certified seed (I) - Certified seed (II)
 Colour of certification tags
for different classes of seeds

1.Basic or Nucleus seed: Tag is not used

Certificate given by breeder
2.Breeder seed: Golden brown

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3.Foundation seed: White tag
4.Certified seed:Blue
[shade ISI No.104 Azure blue]
 NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
• NATIONAL SEED RESEARCH AND TRAINING
CENTRE, VARANASI (Responsible for Quality Seeds
Availability , Testing & Quality Control At National Level)
• STATE FARMS CORPORATION OF INDIA LTD.
(SFCI), (Responsible for Quality Seeds Availability by the
seed production programme on various states)
• NATIONAL SEEDS CORPORATION LIMITED
(Responsible for seed production of certified & foundation
class)
• PROTECTION OF PLANT VARIETY AND
FARMER RIGHTS AUTHORITY (PPV&FR
Authority ) It provide for the establishment of
an effective system for protection of plant
varieties, the rights of farmers and plant
breeders and to encourage the development
of new varieties of plants
• CENTRAL SEED TESTING LABORATORY (CSTL)
IARI NEW DELHI
• C.G. Rajya Beej Evam Krishi Vikas Nigam (CGS
SC) State seed corporation , they are
responsible for seed production and
distribution in the state.
• Seed Certification Agencies, Chhattisgarh
State Seed Certification Agency, Indira
Gandhi Agri. University Campus, Krishak
Nagar, Raipur-492006 ( C.G.) (involved in seed
sertification,inspection,seed sampling etc)

• State Seed Testing Laboratory, Krishak Nagar,

Raipur.(Role in seed testing around the state)
 Cooperatives involved on seed

• Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (KRIBHCO)

• National Cooperative Development Corporation
(NCDC)
• National Horticultural Research and
Development Foundation (NHRDF)
• Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited
(IFFCO)
• National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing
Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED)
 International organizations
• The International Seed Testing Association (ISTA)
• Objectives of the Association
(a) To develop, adopt and publish standard procedures for
sampling and testing seeds, and to promote uniform
application of these procedures for evaluation of seeds
moving in international trade.
(b) To promote research in all areas of seed science and
technology, including sampling, testing, storing, processing,
and distributing seeds, to encourage variety (cultivar)
certification, to participate in conferences and training
courses aimed at furthering these objectives, and to
establish and maintain liaison with other organisations
having common or related interests in seed.
 HISTORY OF ISTA
• Who we are

The International Seed Testing Association was founded in

1924 during the 4th International Seed Testing Congress held
in Cambridge, United Kingdom. Currently its membership
consists of 202 member laboratories, 42 personal members
and 43 associate members, from 77 countries/distinct
economies around the world (January 1st, 2013). 120 of the
ISTA Member Laboratories are accredited by ISTA and entitled
to issue ISTA International Seed Analysis Certificates.
ISTA is independent and acts free from economic interest and
political influence, it is unbiased, objective and fair.
Furthermore, the hitherto unsurpassed expertise of ISTA is
based on the non-profit cooperation of the international
community of approximately 400 experienced, competent
and energetic seed scientists and analysts.
• What ISTA do ?
ISTA continues its role as the developer of seed testing methods. Its major
achievements and services provided to date are briefly the following:

- The ISTA International Rules for Seed Testing, guaranteeing

worldwide annually updated, harmonised, uniform, seed
testing methods
- The ISTA Accreditation Programme including Accreditation
Standard, Proficiency Testing Programme and Auditing
Programme guaranteeing worldwide harmonised, uniform,
seed testing
- The issuing of the ISTA International Seed Lot Certificates
by officially independent ISTA accredited and authorised
laboratories
- The promotion of research, training, publishing and
information in all areas of seed science and technology and
cooperation with related organisations such as ISF, OECD,
UPOV and many others
• AOSCA: Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies the
organization of seed certification agencies of
the United States and Canada.
It is a global network providing seed
certification and quality assurance services to
the agricultural industry.
• AOSA: Association of Official Seed Analysts,
The organization seed analysts of the United
States and Canada

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• INTERNATIONAL SEED FEDERATION , ISF works to
enhance the contribution of the seed industry
worldwide to meeting the growing global needs
for food, feed, fiber, fuel, industrial, ornamental
and amenity crop applications.
• The Organization for Economic Co-operation and
Development (OECD)
• It promote policies that will improve the
economic and social well-being of people around
the world.
• The OECD provides a forum in which
governments can work together to share
experiences and seek solutions to common
problems. It work with governments to
understand what drives economic, social and
environmental change.
 Importance of Seed Production
• Multiplication of superior varieties.
• Availability of superior varieties to masses
• Maintenance of genetic purity.
• Supply of high quality seeds with excellent
quality.
• Seeds have high germination status.
• Seeds have high vigour and viability status.
• Seeds have high physical purity.
• It maintains the excellent health status of seed