Lecture No: 6 & 7

Seed Quality – Classes of Seed

Seed quality is a complex phenomenon. The quality of a seed lot is judged by its
essential components, which predominantly are inherited, but are influenced by the
environmental conditions.
All the essential components of seed quality are scientifically embedded in the
internationally accepted definition of a variety as mentioned in the International code of
nomenclature of cultivated plants (1969), as “an assemblage of cultivated plants which is
clearly distinguished by any character (morphological, physiological, cytological, chemical or
others), and which, when reproduced (sexually or asexually), retains its distinguishable
characters”.
Seed Quality
Thompson (1979) defined seed quality as a multiple concept comprising several
components and their relative importance in different circumstances and laid much emphasis
on
1. Analytical purity / physical purity
2. Species purity / Genetic purity
3. Freedom from weeds
4. Germination percentage
5. Seed vigour and health
6. Seed Moisture content
7. Seed size, weight and specific gravity
Seed quality characters: A good seed should have the following quality characters.
1. Improved variety: It should be superior to the existing variety i.e. the yield should be
higher by 20-25% than the existing variety or it should have some desirable attributes
like disease resistance, drought resistance, salt tolerance etc., with good yield
potential.
2. Genetic Purity: The seed should be true to type. The seed should possess all the
genetic qualities / characters, which the breeder has placed in the variety, genetic
purity has direct effect on the yields. If there is nay deterioration, there would be
proportionate decrease in the yield or performance.

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 3. Physical Purity: Physical purity of a seed lot refers to the physical composition of the
seed lots. A seed lot is composed of pure seed, inert mater, broken seeds, undersized
seeds, soil and dust particles weed seeds, OCS etc. Higher the content of pure seed
better would be the seed quality. Pure seed together with germination gives the
planting value of the seed lot.
4. Seed germination and vigour: Seed germination refers to the ability of a seed when
planted under normal sowing conditions to give rise to a normal seedling. Seed vigour
refers to the sum total of all seed attributes that give effective plant stand in the field.
Higher germination percentage and vigour gives adequate plant population and
uniform growth, which have profound effect on, yield and determine the planting
value of the seed.
5. Freedom from weeds and other crop seeds: This is an extension of physical purity
described earlier. There are certain weed species, which are very harmful to the crop
and once established they are difficult to eradicate. An absolute freedom from seed of
such species is highly desirable and is one of the important criteria for determining the
planning quality of seeds.
6. Seed health: Seed health refers to the presence or absence of disease organisms or
insect pests on the seed. The quality of a seed lot depends on its health, hence the seed
should be free from seed borne disease and insect pests.
7. Seed moisture: The seed moisture is the most important factor in determining the
seed germination and viability during storage. At high seed moisture content there is
high incidence of pest attack and at moisture content above 16% seed get heated and
the viability is lost. Hence the seed should be stored at safe moisture levels of 11-13%
8. Seed size, weight and specific gravity: Seed size, weight and specific gravity has
been found to have positive correlation with seed germination and vigour in many
crops. Therefore the seed should be bold with high specific gravity.
9. Seed Colour: The colour of the seed often reflects the condition during seed
maturation. The farmers from ancient times have regarded good normal shine as
invariable quality guides. The colour and shine deteriorates only when the weather
conditions are adverse during maturation or when insects infest the crop or when it is
handled badly.
The seed lots having high genetic purity, high germination and with a minimum
amount of inert matter, weed seeds and other crop seeds and are free from diseases is said to
be of high quality and if it is lacking of these it is said to be of low quality.

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FACTORS AFFECTING SEED QUALITY
The numerous factors affecting seed quality can broadly be classified into (a)
ecological influences, (b) technology of production, and (c) harvesting methods and post
harvest handling of a seed crop/seed lot. These include the following.
a) Ecological Influences
 Light and temperature conditions
 Day length, rainfall, wind velocity
 Soil type and its pH
 Insect activity
b) Technology of Production
 Varietal adaptability
 Seed source
 Isolation and protection to seed crop
 Agronomical package of practices for cultivation
 Rouging of contaminants and weed control
 Biological / chemical control of pests and diseases.
c) Harvesting Methods and Post Harvest Handling
 Mechanical operations for harvesting and threshing
 Drying and grading operations.
 Type of seed containers and packaging
 Weighing, labeling and sealing containers
 Seed storage, movement and distribution

CLASSES OF SEED
1. Nucleus seed: is the handful of original seed obtained from selected individual plants
of a particular variety for maintenance and purification by the originating breeder. It is
further multiplied and maintained under the supervision of qualified plant breeder to
provide breeder seed. This forms the basis for all further seed production. The seed lot
shall be 100% pure genetically and physically, healthy and viable. It is exempted from
certification by Seed Certifying Agency: but should be certified by the breeder
mentioning in detail the quality standard of the seed lot.

2. Breeder’s seed: It is 100% genetically pure. It is exempted from Certification by

Seed Certification Agency and labeled by the producer with a golden yellow tag

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 specifying crop variety, lot number, date of test and percentage of pure seed, inert
matter and germination. The label shall be rubber stamped with signature, name and
designation of the breeder and name of the institution. This is the progeny of the
nucleus seed multiplied in large area under the supervision of plant breeder and
monitored by a committee. It provides cent per cent physical and genetic pure seed for
production of foundation class.

3. Foundation seed: Progeny of breeder seed and it is handled by recognized seed

producing agencies in public and private sector under the supervision of Seed
Certification Agency in such a way that its quality is maintained according to the
prescribed standards. Seed Certification agency issues a white colour certification for
foundation class seed. Foundation seed is purchased by Seed Corporation from seed
growers. Foundation seed can again be multiplied by Seed Corporation in the events
of its shortage with similar seed certification standard.

4. Certified seed: Progeny of foundation seed produced by registered seed growers

under the supervision of Seed Certification Agency by maintaining the seed quality as
per minimum seed certification standards. Seed Certification Agency issues a blue
colour (Shade ISI No. 104, azure blue) certificate. Certified seed lot is not eligible for
further seed increase and certification except in self pollinated crop.

5. Truthfully Labeled Seed: Inview of the fact that the demand for “Certified’ quality
seed is much more than actually available, the Seed Acts has provision for production
of “Truthful Labeled Seed’ in large quantities. The “Truthfully labeling’ concept has
been allowed to control and to prevent the deterioration of minimum standards by the
seed industry. Under the Act, the seller is responsible for the seed he sells, certified or
not certified. If the seeds are nor certified, seeds which are above the minimum limits
of generation and purity are Truthfully Labeled.