Seed - Definition & Importance PDF

**SEED - Definition - importance- quality characteristics --history of seed industry** **Significance of Seed production** ***Seed*** Seed is a basic input in agriculture. Strictly speaking seed is an embryo, a living organism embedded in the supporting or the food storage tissue. In seed, the im...

**SEED - Definition - importance- quality characteristics --history of seed industry** **Significance of Seed production** ***Seed*** Seed is a basic input in agriculture. Strictly speaking seed is an embryo, a living organism embedded in the supporting or the food storage tissue. In seed, the importance is given to the biological existence whereas; in grain the importance is given to the supporting tissue the economic produce. **Seed is defined as** - A ripened ovule or a fertilized matured ovule containing embryo which has developed after fertilization. - The dry dispersal unit or matured ovule developed after fertilization. - Any part (or) organ of plant which has the capability to regenerate into a new plant. - A propagule responsible for maintaining the intrinsic (or) genetic qualities of the variety / hybrid. - An 'embryo', a living organism embedded in the supporting (or) the food storage tissue and a protective coat. - Any propagative material. - Miniature plant. - Dormant plant - Link between two generations. - Carrier of service material. - Generative part of a plant that develop into a new plant. However, the widely accepted definition for a ***seed is matured ovule that consisting of an embryonic plant together with a store of food, all surrounded by a protective coat***. **In agriculture...** - Based on cost it is the cheapest input. - Seed is the chief and pivot / main input of agriculture. - It makes the better utility of other inputs of agriculture. - Good seed in good soil realize good yield. - Hence, serves as the wealth of farmer as it is the **yesterdays harvest and tomorrows hope.** **As per Seed Act (1966) seed includes** - Seed of food crops including edible oil seeds and seeds of fruits & vegetables. - Cotton seeds - Seeds of cattle fodder - Jute seeds - Seedlings, tubers, bulbs, rhizomes, roots, cuttings, all types of grafts and other vegetatively propagated material for food crops (or) cattle fodder. ***Differences between seed and grain*** -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- **SEED** **GRAIN** It should be a viable one Need not be a viable one It should have maximum genetic & physical purity Not so Should satisfy minimum seed certification standards No such requirements It should be completely treated with pesticide /fungicide to protect seed against storage pests and fungi It should never be treated with any chemicals, since used for consumption Respiration rate and other physiological and biological processes should be kept at low level during storage No such specifications Should be compulsorily certified / truthful labelled No such condition in grain production Should never be converted into grain unless warranted Can be converted as seed provided the situation warrants It should satisfy all the quality norms Not considered -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ##### *Importance of seed* ##### Seed is the vital input in crop production because through seed only the investment made on other inputs like pesticide, fertilizer, irrigation and crop maintenance can be realized. The seed required for raising the crop is quite small and its cost is also less compare to other inputs, but the greater income farmer gets depends upon the quality of the small quantity of seed he uses. In addition to above seed is the basic for the following event of agriculture. **1. Carrier of new technologies** 1. In India for instance, the cultivation of high yielding varieties have helped to increase food production from 52 million tonnes to more than 200 million tonnes over a period of 50 years. **2. Basic tool for secured food supply** 2. The successful implementation of the High Yielding Varieties Programme (HYVP) in India has led to a remarkable increase in production and to a new assessment of future development potential. As a result, food imports from other countries have been substantially brought down inspite of the rapid population increase. **3. Principal means to secure crop yields in less favourable production areas** 3. The supply of good quality seeds of improved varieties suitable to these areas is one of the few important immediate contributions to secure higher crop yields. **4. Medium for rapid rehabilitation of agriculture in cases of natural disaster** 4. Widespread floods and droughts in various parts of the country and elsewhere have focused attention on these recurrent crises and the accompanying threats of famine and starvation. The establishment of National Seed Reserve Stocks should receive high priority for meeting such natural calamities. - - **Social and economic functions of seed** - Seed acts as a carrier of new technology. - Seed is a basic tool for secured food supply. - Seed acts as a principal means to secure crop yield in less favorable production areas - It acts as a medium for rapid rehabilitation of agriculture in cases of natural disaster. - Good quality seed will respond more to fertilizers and other inputs. so develops other industrial development The seed form only a small part of the total cultivation expenses, but it will pay its dividend towards yield **So seed is known as.....** Botanically Fertilized and ripened ovule -------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Structurally An embryonic plant together with stored food, surrounded by a protective coat. Genetically Mutant/ dormant plant, the link between two generations On usage Propagative material **Seed Production** Systemized crop production is known as seed production. In seed production adequate care is given from the purchase of seeds up to harvest adopting proper seed and crop management techniques. The benefits of seed production are - Higher income - Higher quality seed for next sowing ###### **Difference between seed and crop production** +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | ##### Seed production | **Crop production** | +===================================+===================================+ | Basic seed should be from an | Any seed material can be used | | authentic source | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Seed plot should be selected | Can be grown in any area | | carefully for better performance, | | | as per edaphic and environmental | | | requirement | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Needs isolation from other | Isolation is not necessary | | varieties | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Needs technical skill for | Special technical skill is not | | maintenance of quality | required | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Maintenance of genetic purity is | Genetic purity is not required | | important | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Roguing is compulsorily practiced | Roguing is not practiced | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Harvesting should be done at | Harvested at field maturity | | physiological/ harvestable | | | maturity | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Resultant seed should be vigorous | Question of viability does not | | and viable | arise | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Importance is given to seed | Importance is given more to yield | | quality rather than the yield | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ ##### ##### There are two types (major) of seed production ie. Varietal and hybrid seed production based on the type of seed used for multiplication.The difference between varietal and hybrid seed production are as follows **Varietal seed production** **Hybrid seed production** ----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------- It is single parent multiplication It needs two to many parents Isolation distance requirement is less Isolation distance requirement is more Production is by open pollination Production is by managed control pollination (Female) Seed can be used continuously for 3/4/5 generations Seed has to be changed every time Production technique is uniform (multiplication) Technique differ with crop Production care is less Production care is more Yield will be lower Yield will be higher Profit is less Profit is higher **Character of seed** - **Seed has been an important agricultural commodity since the first crop- plant being domesticated.** - **A farmer's entire crop depends on the ability of seeds he sows.** - **Therefore, it is mandatory to sow good quality seeds.** - **Otherwise, the seeds of hope may turn into seeds of frustration** - **Seed quality is a concept made of several attributes.** - **A seed technologist assesses seed quality more precisely adopting standard procedures.** - **Seed is always a mass and is the representation of seed lot** - **Seed lot is the harvested cleaned quantity of a variety or crop specific to harvest and place of production** - **Seed should be physically pure.** - **Seed should be free from inert matter.** - **Seed should be free from other crop and weed seed.** - **Seed should be germinable.** - **Seed should be highly vigourous.** - **Periodicity of germination should be less.** - **Seed germination should be uniform.** - **Seed should be free from fungal infection** - **Seed should be free from insect infestation.** - **Seedling should be identical to its mother (seed should be true to type).** - **Seeds should have optimum moisture content (low as 6 -- 10% for orthodox seed, high as 17 -- 30% for recalcitrant seed).** - **Seeds should not have mechanical damage.** - **Seed should have high storability.** - **Seed should have lusture.** - **Seed should have good marketability** **Seed in other usages** - In agriculture seed has a broad outlook as grain as it is widely used for consumption. (e.g. Wheat, maize, pulses, soybean, gingelly etc). - In forestry except in bamboo, cashew nut, *Terminalia catappa*, Jack, etc, the seeds (the final product after fertilization) are used only propagative material. - Propagative material (all species) - Source for creation of genetic diversity (all species) - Root stock material in vegetative propagation. (all species) - Genetic material for further proceeding work. (all species) - Preservative material for genetic diversity. (all species) - Explants for somatic embryogenesis and multiplication. (*Sandalum album*) - Fodder material (*Acacia leucopholea*) - Food material (*Bambusa bamboo*) - Dying material (*Bixa orellena*) - Medicine (*Terminalia chebula*) - Decorative material (*Adenonthra povonia*) - Water purifier (*Moringa oleifera*) - Tannin extraction (*Samania saman)* - Confectioneries (*Prosopis juliflora*) - Natural afforestation material (All species) - Base material is commercial nurseries (All species) - Weighing balance (*Abrus pricatorus*) - Raw material for indoor games (*Tamarind*) - Source for edible oil extraction (*Simaruba glauca*) - Source for biodiesel extraction (*Jatropha curcas*) - Source for lubricant oil (Wild castor) - Source for illuminating oil in house holds (*Madhuca latifolia*) - Source for detergent (*Sapindus emerginatus*) - Source for cosmetics (*Sapindus emerginatus*) **Seed Science.....** - - Developed in the interest of social science - Seed technologist - Scientists deals with handling of seed towards prosperity. - India is the second largest producer of vegetables, which occupy 6.2 m ha producing - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1876 A hand book on seed testing was published. The World's first Seed Testing Station was established by Prof.F.Nobbe in Tharandt, Saxony, Germany. ----------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1916 Supply of quality vegetable seeds was introduced by M/s. Sutton and Sons at Kolkata, India 1924 International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) was established in Norway. 1925 -28 The Royal Commission on Agriculture analyzed (*for the first time*) Indian seed production system and its problems and encouraged supply of quality seeds to the farmers and the private sectors. 1939 Association of Official Seed Analysts was established for evaluation of seed testing procedures 1939-45 In India ,temperate vegetable seeds were imported 1942 Seed production of temperate vegetable varieties was started at Quetta (Pakistan), as the seed supplies were cut-off due to World War-II. 1942-1943 Seed production programme started at Katrain (Himachal Pradesh) and Kashmir Valley and the Vegetable seed industry made a rapid progress. 1946 All India Vegetable Seed Growers, Merchants and Nurserymen's Association was established. 1947 Supplies of vegetable seeds were cut off from Quetta (Pakistan) after partition of the country. 1949 Seed production programme was started at Central Vegetable Breeding Station, Katrain, Kullu Valley by Govt. of India.\ Central Potato Research Institute was established at Shimla to develop varieties and production technology. 1951 First Five Year Plan started with an aim to multiply and distribute seeds. 1955 Central Vegetable Breeding Station, Katrain was transferred to the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi with a view to intensify the improvement work on temperate vegetables and renamed as IARI, Regional Station. 1956 Second Five Year Plan started, with an idea to establish 25 acre farm in each Extension Service Block, setting up Seed Testing Stations to ensure vegetable seed quality standards, production of nucleus and foundation seed at block level, and distribution thereof among farmers. 1961 The first Seed Testing laboratory was established in IARI, New Delhi. 1961 The proposed Central Seed Corporation was approved by the Union Cabinet.\ Rock-Feller Foundation equipped the Seed Testing Laboratory, IARI, and was designated Central Seed Testing Laboratory. Systematic research work on temperate vegetables, sugar beet and chicory was initiated at Kalpa and Solan (Himachal Pradesh). 1961 Seed Multiplication Review Team stressed the need for intensive seed multiplication programmes for crop seeds. 1963 National Seeds Corporation was established to develop Indian Seed Industry. 1963 Scientific seed processing was initiated by NSC 1963-1964 NSC was made responsible for making available foundation seeds of crops including vegetables. 1966 Indian Seeds Act was passed by Government of India with a view to regulate quality of seeds on 29th December. 1967 The first Horticultural Research Institute in the country established by the Indian Council of Agriculture Research was called as Indian Institute of Horticultural Research is a premier Institute conducting basic, strategic, anticipatory and applied research on various aspects of fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, medicinal and aromatic plants and mushrooms. 1967 Seed Plot Techniques in potato was developed for raising healthy seed stocks. 1968 The Seed Rules were framed in India in consultation with ISTA.\ NSC established its own Seed Testing Laboratory. 1969 The Seeds Act came into force throughout the country on 2nd October with seed rules 1969 Establishment of Tarai Development Corporation (TDC) with world bank assistance with primary objective of production of quality seeds. 1970 All India Co-ordianted Vegetable Improvement Project (AICVIP) was established at IARI, New Delhi, A Center under AICVIP was stated at IARI, Regional Station, Katrain. 1971 The [Central Seed Committee](http://ecoursesonline.iasri.res.in/mod/page/view.php?id=110558) was framed by the Govt. of India to fix genetic purity standards of seeds. First Indian vegetable hybrid - *Pusa Meghadoot *in **Bottle gourd **was developed and released by the IARI, New Delhi 1971 Indian Society of Seed Technology (ISST) was established to serve an educational link among Seed Technologists 1974 National Seed Project was launched by Govt. of India with the assistance of World Bank to develop seed production infrastructure 1974-1975 NSC produced a record of 8000 tonnes of vegetable seeds of 28 kinds and 60 varieties. Similar quantity of vegetable seeds was produced by private seed sector. 1976 National commission on Agriculture submitted the report, reviewing all aspects of seed industry, including teaching, training and research.\ Maharashtra State Seed Corporation Ltd. was started under Companies Act with registered Head Office at Akola. 1983 Enactment of **Seed Control Order-**Seeds was declared an essential commodity 1985 Y.S.Parmer University of horticulture and forestry was started at Solan 1986 Elevation of status of AICVIP, to the level of Project Directorate of Vegetable Research (PDVR). 1988 Announcement of New Seed Policy called New* Liberalized Seed Policy *by Govt. of India on seed development on 16th September.\ GOI liberalized vegetable seed imports, giving farmers very wide choice of seed. More conducive environment for international seed companies.\ A specially designed vegetable seed extraction machine (with axial flow) was developed at PAU, Ludhiana. Indian Minimum Seed Certification Standards published by the [Central Seed Certification Board](http://ecoursesonline.iasri.res.in/mod/page/view.php?id=110559), Department of Agriculture and Co-op, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India, New Delhi during July. 1989 There was 22.27% increase in vegetable production in India (over 1979 -- 81) Seed Industry sought further incentives / concessions 1992 De-linking of PDVR from IARI and shifted to Varanasi (UP.) 1994 A separate NSP on vegetables was approved and initiated by IIVR (PDVR), Varanasi. 2001 The protection of plant varieties and Farmers' Rights bill was formulated to establish 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 2002 National Seed Policy -- to provide appropriate climate for seed industry, safeguarding the interest of Indian farmers and conservation of agro biodiversity. 2004 The New Seed draft Bill was submitted to address all seed related issue which will replace all other existing Acts regarding seeds. 2005-06 National Horticulture Mission a centrally sponsored scheme was started by Government of India. It provides 100% assistance to the state mission during the Tenth Plan. 2008 University of Horticultural Sciences was started at Bagalkot to promote horticultural studies 2010 National Conference on Production of Quality Seeds and Planting Material -- Health Management in Horticultural Crops was held at New Delhi --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------