Principle of Quality Seed Production

The basic principle or strategy should be comprehensive in scope and for

adequate development of the infrastructure and various facilities to produce and market high
quality seeds. This involves:
a) Integrated development: The production of quality seed is possible when all the
necessary inputs are made available to seed growers and all developmental works, e.g.
land levelling, irrigation resource development by water harvest for raising an
excellent crop.
b) Compact area approach: The seed production should be concentrated in compact areas
suitable for high quality but low-cost seed production. The various advantages for this
are;
 It is easy to provide technical guidance, supervision and training to seed
producers and seed inspectors. The staff requirements and expenses are fairly
low.
 The integrated development can be executed easily.
 Isolation and contamination problem can be avoided to a great extent.
 Facilitates seed certification, seed sampling, seed testing, seed post harvest
operation, processing, storage, movement and seed distribution, marketing.
 Substantially lowers the overhead expenses.
c) Organisation of production: Seed production can be organised:
 Through selected growers on contract basis.
 By making the seed producer’s shareholders of the seed company/ corporation.
d) Technical guidance: the association or active involvement of the SAUs/ research
institute with seed programmes should be preferred as they are the source of:
 Breeding and screening of new varieties
 Multiplication of nucleus/breeder/foundation/certified seed.
 Technological help
 Can help in seed certification and testing
e) Choices of varieties: Truly superior varieties adapted to the agronomic conditions of
the selected area for seed production should be selected and for which a cultivar
demand exists.
The principles of seed production basically divide in to 2 types:
A. Genetic Principle
B. Agronomic principle

Genetic Principle:
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Genetic principles include different activities which can help to maintain the genetic
purity of the plant during the seed production process. As seed production involves the
generation advancement system as well as pollination of same kind, so there is a very
chance of contamination and undesired cross. And therefore, the offspring may lose its
genetic purity so as resemblance with its parent. So, maintenance of genetic purity
during the seed production is utmost important.

Safe guards for maintenance of genetic purity:

The important safe guards for maintaining genetic purity during seed production are;
1. Control of seed source
2. Preceding crop requirement
3. Isolation
4. Roguing of seed fields
5. Seed certification
6. Grow out test
1. Control of Seed Source: The seed used should be of appropriate class from the approved
source for raising a seed crop. There are four classes of seed from breeder seed, which are
given and defined by Association of Official Seed Certification agency (AOSCA). Nucleus
Seed, Breeder Seed, Foundation Seed, Certified Seed.
2. Preceding Crop requirement: This has been fixed to avoid contamination through
volunteer plants which are still present in the field in dormant condition and also the soil
borne diseases which can affect the crop plant during its growth.
3. Isolation: Isolation is required to avoid natural crossing with other undesirable types, off
types in the fields and mechanical mixtures at the time of sowing, threshing, processing and
contamination due to seed borne diseases from nearby fields. Protection from these sources
of contamination is necessary for maintaining genetic purity and good quality of seed.
4. Roguing of Seed Fields: The existence of off type plants is another source of genetic
contamination. Off type plants differing in their characteristics from that of the seed crop are
called as off types. Removal of off types is referred to as roughing.
The main sources of off types are:
a. Segregation of plants for certain characters or mutations
b. Volunteer plants from previous crops or
c. Accidentally planted seeds of other variety
d. Diseased plants
Off type plants should be rouged out from the seed plots before they shed pollen and
pollination occurs. To accomplish this regular supervision of trained personnel is
required.

5. Seed Certification: Genetic purity in seed productions maintained through a system of

seed certification. The main objective of seed certification is to make available seeds of good
quality to farmers. To achieve this qualified and trained personnel from SCA carry out field
inspections at appropriate stages of crop growth. They also make seed inspection by drawing
samples from seed lots after processing. The SCA verifies for both filed and seed standards
and the seed lot must confirm to get approval as certified seed.
6. Grow-out Test: Varieties that are grown for seed production should be periodically tested
for genetic purity by conducting Grow Out Test (GOT) to make sure that they are being
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maintained in true form. GOT test is compulsory for hybrids produced by manual
emasculation and pollination and for testing the purity of parental lines used in hybrid seed
production.

B. Agronomic Principle:
Besides genetic principles, following precautions should be taken during seed
production in order to obtain higher seed yields as well as maintain quality of seed.
1. Selection of suitable agro-climatic region: A crop variety to be grown for seed
production in an area must be adapted to photoperiod and temperature conditions prevailing
in that area. Crop varieties sensitive to photoperiod and temperature should be grown in
selected localities where these could be economically produced. Regions of moderate rainfall
and humidity are much more suited to seed production than regions of high rainfall and
humidity. Most crops require a dry sunny period and moderate temperatures for flowering
and pollination.
2. Selection of seed plot: Plot selected for seed crop must have the following characteristics.
a) Soil texture and fertility of plot should be according to requirement of the seed crops.
b) Seed plot should be free from volunteer plants, weed plants and other crop plants.
c) Soil of the seed plot should be comparatively free from soil-borne diseases and insect
pests.
d) In preceding season, the same crop should not have been grown on this land, if it is so
required by seed certification standards.
e) Seed plot must be levelled.
f) It should be feasible to isolate the plot as per requirements of certification standards.
3. Isolation of seed crops: Seed crop must be isolated from other nearby fields of the same
crop and other contaminating crops as per requirements of certification standards. Isolation
of a seed crop is usually done by providing distance between seed fields and contaminating
fields. In certain cases, when space isolation is not feasible, time isolation may be provided.
Moreover, distance isolation may be reduced by planting additional border rows (in case of
certified maize seed production). On a small scale, i.e. in NS / BS production, isolation can
also be provided by enclosing plants or group of plants in cages or enclosing individual
flowers, or by removing male flower parts and then performing artificial pollination of
individual flowers.
4. Preparation of land: Land for the seed crop must be well prepared. Good land
preparation helps in improved germination, good stand establishment and destruction of
potential weeds. It also aids in water management and good uniform irrigation.
5. Selection of variety: Variety for seed production must be carefully selected. Except in
exceptional cases it should satisfy the following criteria.
a) The variety should be adapted to the agro-climatic conditions of the region.
b) It should really be a high yielder.
c) It should possess other desirable attributes, namely, disease resistance, earliness, grain
quality, etc.
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6. Quality of seeds used including the source: Seed used for raising a seed crop should be
of known purity, appropriate class and invariably obtained from an authorised official
agency. While buying the seed, following factors should be carefully examined.
a) That the seed of appropriate seed class is bought.
b) That the label/tag and seals of the BS / FS bags purchased are intact.
c) That the validity period has not expired.
d) That all the bags are of same variety.
7. Seed treatment: Seeds may require seed treatment before planting, if they are not already
appropriately treated. Depending upon requirement one or more of the following seed
treatments may be given: chemical seed treatment, bacterial inoculation for legumes, or seed
treatment for breaking dormancy.
8. Time of planting: Seed crops should invariably be sown at their normal planting time.
Depending upon incidence of diseases and pests, some adjustments, could be made, if
necessary. At the time of planting, there should be sufficient soil moisture for germination to
take place.
9. Seed rate: Lower seed rates than usual for raising commercial crop is desirable because it
facilitates roguing operations and inspection of seed crops.
10. Method of sowing: Seed crops should usually be sown in rows, except in thickly sown
crops where sowing could be done by broadcasting. Sowing of seed crops in rows helps in
conducting effective plant protection measures, roguing operations and field inspections. For
hybrid seed production, it is important to ensure that seeds of male and female parental lines
are not mixed while planting.
11. Depth of sowing: Depth of sowing is extremely important in ensuring good plant stands.
Small seeds should usually be planted shallow, but large seeds could be planted a little
deeper.
12. Roguing: Adequate and timely roguing is extremely important in seed production.
Rogues may cause quick deterioration in seed stocks through cross-pollination, transmission
of disease, etc. They should, therefore, be removed as early as possible, preferably before
flowering. It is wise to remove the whole plant and not just the flower head. Roguing in most
of the field crops may be done at any stage as per needs of the seed crop. The number of
roguings necessary will vary with the crop, purity of the planting material and stage of
multiplication of seed crop.
13. Supplementary pollination: Provision of honeybees in hives in close proximity to seed
fields of crops largely cross-pollinated by insects, ensures good seed set and thereby greatly
increases seed yields.
14. Weed control: Good weed control is a basic requirement in producing good quality seed.
Weeds may cause contamination of seed crop in the following ways, in addition to reduction
in yield.
a) Presence of weed plants at the time of crop harvest leads to mixing of weed seeds with
crop seeds. In many instances, it is difficult to remove them during processing of seeds.
b) Weeds in the seed field or nearby areas may serve as hosts to a number of diseases.
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Weed management may be practiced by planting on clean fallow, following a good
crop rotation, thorough intercultural operations and by hand weeding from time to time or
through use of appropriate herbicides at right time and in right manner.
15. Disease and insect control: Successful disease and insect control is another important
factor in raising healthy seed crops. Apart from reduction in yield, the quality of seeds from
the diseased and insect attacked plants is invariably poor. Systemic diseases, if not checked,
produce seeds infected with spores that produce diseased plants in the next generation, e.g.
loose smut of wheat. Non-systemic diseases may leave their spores on seed coats, which may
cause greater susceptibility to various seedling diseases that can affect the crop.
16. Nutrition: Adequate and balanced fertiliser application at appropriate time results in
maximum yields, good seed quality, and better expression of plant type, which facilitates
roguing and thereby helps in maintaining higher genetic purity as well. Nitrogen,
phosphorus, potassium and several other elements play an important role for proper
development of plant and seed. Hence, these nutrients should be applied in adequate
amounts, at the right time and in the correct form.
17. Irrigation: Comparatively drier regions are more suitable for good quality, disease-free seed
production. In such regions, irrigation is essential to obtain good seed yields. Irrigation may be
required before planting and at intervals up to flowering. One or two irrigation(s) beyond
flowering are desirable for many seed crops. In general, lighter soils need more frequent irrigation
than heavy soils. Care should be taken to avoid water stress during flowering and seed set.
Adequate and timely irrigation also helps in efficient nutrient use by the plants. In addition, proper
drainage is necessary for most of the crops, as it helps in better aeration to the roots. Seed fields
should be properly drained at the time of maturity.
18. Time of harvest: It is of utmost importance to harvest the seed crop at optimum time,
which will allow maximum yield as well as best quality seed. Early harvesting makes
combining difficult and losses due to threshing and cleaning are greater. It may also result in
a larger proportion of partially filled seeds. Similarly, delayed harvest, may expose the seeds
to vagaries of nature. There are chances of shattering of seeds in the field before or at the
time of harvest. If seeds are excessively dried in the field, there are chances of higher
proportion of broken seeds. If there are rains at the time of maturity, some crop varieties may
show viviparous germination. e.g. certain varieties of paddy, finger millet, etc. Moisture
content is a good indication of the optimum time of harvest for most seed crops. For wheat
and rice, usually moisture content of the seeds at the time of harvest is 15–17%.
19. Method of harvesting: In India, harvesting of crops is mainly done manually. Care
should be taken to avoid mechanical mixture and mechanical injury to seeds during
threshing. Lot identity should be maintained. If harvesting is done by a combine, precautions
should be taken to adjust the combine properly so as to keep losses and mechanical injury to
seeds at a minimum.
20. Drying of seeds: Seeds contain high moisture at the time of harvesting and threshing. In
order to preserve seed viability and vigour, it is necessary to dry the seeds to safe moisture
levels. Drying of seeds should be started as early as possible, preferably in shade to begin
with, followed by sun drying. In summer seasons shade drying is preferred, because rapid
drying of the seeds immediately after harvest may cause cracks in the seed coat, thus
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deteriorating its quality. e.g. groundnut, soybean, etc. Care should be taken to avoid
mechanical mixtures during drying.
21. Storage of raw seeds: Seeds can effectively be stored for short periods in sacks or bags in
godowns after proper drying. The seeds should be filled in neat and clean bags. If old bags are
used, they should be dipped in 2% Malathion solution, dried and cleaned before they are filled
with seeds. Each and every bag should be marked appropriately with information, like name of
the variety, plot where the seed was produced and also name of the owner. Storage godown
should be clean, dry and cool and should not have damp floors.
22. Processing: Seed lots received from the field often contain trash and other inert materials,
weed seeds, deteriorated and damaged seeds, off-size seeds, etc. Seed processing is necessary
for removing or reducing the extent of such undesirable materials, uniform size grading, seed
treatment and upgrading the overall quality of seed. Care should be taken to avoid
mechanical mixtures during processing operations.