Seed Technology Notes PDF

What is Seed? Definition: Seed is a mature integumented megasporangium or mature ovule consisting of embryonic plants together whit store food material covered by a protective coat (mega sporangium i.e. female gametophyte –the pistils are the female reproductive organs called megasporophylly in the flowering plants) the ovary of the carpel contains ovules (megasprorangia) Definition of Seed technology: Cowan (1973): Defined as “That discipline of study having to do with seed production, maintenance, quantity and preservation Feistritzer (1975): Defined seed technology as the method through which the genetic and physical characteristic of seeds could be improved. It involves such activities as variety development, evaluation and release seed production, seed processing, seed storage, seed testing, seed certification, seed quality control, seed marketing etc. Role and Goal of Seed Technology in Crop Production Role of Seed Technology: Feistritzer (1975) outlined the few roles of improved seed. 1. Seed – a carrier of new technologies. 2. Seed – a basic tool for secured food supply. 3. Seed – The principle means to secure crop yields in less favorable production areas. 4. Seed – a medium for rapid rehabilitation of agriculture in case of natural disaster. 1. A carrier of new technologies: The introduced of quality seed of new verities and combined with other inputs significantly increased yield level e.g. in cereals, yield increased up to 112%, in potato – 24% & sugar beet - 142% in U. S. A. & central Europe. In India the cultivation of high yielding verities have helped to increase food production from 52 million tones (1947) to nearly 200 million tones in 2000-2001 2. A basic tool for secured food supply: The successful implementation of the high yield verities programme in India has led to a remarkable increase the production. As a result, food imports from other countries have been substantially brought down in spite of the rapid population increase. 3. The principle means to secure crop yield in less favorable area of production: The supply of good quality seed of improved verities, suitable to these areas is one of the crops. Immediate contribution that seed technology can make to secure higher crop yield Goals of Seed Technology: The measure role of seed technology is to increase agriculture production through the spread of good quality seed of high yielding verities. 1. Rapid Multiplication: Increase in agricultural production through quickest spread of new verities developed (released) by the plant breeders. 2. Timely supply: The improve seeds of new verities must be made available well in time, so that farmer is planned planting schedule (or showing time) without disturbed. They are able used good seed for planning (sowing) purpose 3. Assured high quality of seeds: Is necessary to obtain the expected dividends from the use of seeds of improved verities 4. Reasonable price: The cost of high quality seed should be within reach of the average farmer. Seed Dormancy Definition: Non – germination of seeds due to absence of suitable conditions is termed as dormancy. OR A physical or physiological condition of viable seed, which prevents germination even in the presence of favorable conditions The seed dormancy is divided in to three groups 1. Endogenous 2. Exogenous 3. Combined Cause of seed dormancy/ factor responsible for seed dormancy Genetical factor / cause: 1. Physiological 2. Embryo dormancy 3. Undeveloped cotyledon 4. Immature embryo Coat imposed dormancy: 1. Seed coat factor: a. Seed coat impermeable to water – i.e. water does not entered into seed coat b. Seed coat impermeable to oxygen (0 is not entered in seed coat) c. Mechanically resistant seed coat. 2. Embryo factor: 1. Dormant embryo 2. Immature/ Rudimentary embryo 3. Inhibitory factors: Presence of germination Inhibitors in seeds i.e. presence of inhibitors or release of inhibitors. Methods of Breaking Seed Dormancy Various methods have been used by seed scientist and technologists to break the dormancy of seed. Simple and widely used methods are A. Scarification: Any treatment i.e. physical or chemical that weakness the seed coat, is known as scarification. Scarification method is applied, when dormancy is imposed by hard seen coat e. g. in legumes- cajanus cajan, (tur), gram etc. In this method there are various way to break hard seed coat such as: 1. Seeds are either rubbed on a sand paper manually. At the time of rubbing care should be taken that not to damage the axis of the seed e.g. Green gram & subabool. 2. When seed coat is too hard i.e. of woody nature, the seed coat has to be removing completely by breaking it. E.g. Rubber (Havea app) seed India teak wood seed. 3. Soaking treatment: Soaking hard seed coat in concentrated or diluted solution of sulphuric acid for 1 to 60 minutes, it remove seed coat impermeability. E. g. cotton seeds, India teak wood seeds etc. B. Temperature Treatments: 1. When the dormancy is due to embryo factor i.e. the seed is incubating at low temp. (0- 5o C) over a substratum for 3 to 10 days placing it at optimum temp. Required for germination. E.g. mustard. – (Brassica campestrits) 2. Some seeds required a brief period of incubation (from a few hours to one to five days) at 40 to 50 oC before germinating at required temp. ( in this method care should be taken that moisture content of the seed is not more than 15% e.g. paddy (Oryza Sativa) 3. Hot water treatment is also an effective method of breaking hard- seed ness in legumes. In this method the seeds are soaked in water at 80oC temp. For 1 – 5 minutes (depending up on the type of seed) before putting for germination. C. Light Treatments: Same seeds do not germinate in dark thus it provides continuous or periodic exposure of light is essential e. g. Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa) required red light (660nm) or white light is essential for germination to occur. D. Treatments with growth regulators & other Chemicals: Endogenous dormancy may be due to presence of germination inhibitors. Application of low level of growth regulators (i.e. Gibberellins, Cytokinins and Ethylene etc) may break the seed dormancy. Most widely used growth regulators are gibberellins and kinetics e.g. seeds of sorghum crop presoaking seed treatment with GA3 at the conc. Of 100 ppm have been used for breaking seed dormancy.Among other chemicals potassium nitrate (0.2%) and thio – urea (0.5 to 3%) are widely used for breaking seed dormancy in oat (Avena Sativa), barley (Hordeum vulgare), tomato (Lycopersicon spp). (For prepare 100 ppm solution of GA3, weigh 100 mg of GA3 & dissolve in a few drops of alcohol and make up the final volume (1000 ml) by adding distilled water). (50 ppm kinetin 5 mg dissolved in few drops of alkaline made with sodium hydroxide and makes the final volume 100ml it gives to final conc. Of 50 ppm) Principles of Quality Seed Production During seed production strict attention must be given to maintenance of genetic purity and other qualities of seed in order to exploit the full dividends sought to be obtained by introduction of new superior crop plant varities. Genetic principles:  Deterioration of varities: Genetic purity (trueness to type) of a variety can be deteriorating due to several factors during production cycles. The important factor & real deterioration of varities listed by Kadam (1942) & these are 1. Developmental variations 2. Mechanical mixtures 3. Mutations 4. Nature crossing 5. Minor genetic variations 6. Selective influence of diseases 7. The technique of plant breeder Mechanical mixtures, natural crossing and selective influences of diseases are most important reasons for genetic deterioration.  Mechanical Mixture: Mechanical mixture may take place at the time of sowing, it more than one variety is sown with same drill or through different varieties grown in adjacent field. Two varities growing alongside each other the field are often mixed at the time of harvesting and threshing operation. Threshing equipments (i.e. threshing machine) is often contaminated with seeds of other varities. The gunny bags, seed bines are also quite responsible mechanical mixture with seeds of other varities. To avoid mechanical mixture, it must be necessary to rogue the seed fields and care should be taken at the time of harvesting, threshing and handling.  Natural Crossing: In sexually propagated crops, natural crossing is most important source of vertical deterioration. The deterioration in varieties due to natural crossing is of three reasons 1. Natural crossing with undesirable type 2. Natural crossing with diseases plants 3. Natural crossing with off- type of plants According to Bateman (1947) genetic contamination is seed field due to natural crossing depends upon the some factors and these are a. The breading system of species b. Isolation distance c. Vertical mass d. Pollinating agents. As the isolation between varieties is increased the contamination decreases. Isolation of seed crop is a primary factor in the seed production of crop plants of cross pollinated by wind or insects and their activities, humidity and temp. at the time of anthesis etc.  Selective Influences of Diseases: New crop varieties often become susceptible to new races of diseases often caused by parasite. Some vegetative propagated stocks deteriorate fast it infected by viral, fungal and bacterial diseases. It is very important to produce diseases free-seeds /stocks. Genetic Purity during Seed Production The various steps suggested by Hartmann and Kester (1968) for maintaining genetic purity. The steps are a. Providing adequate isolation to prevent contamination by natural crossing or mechanical mixtures. b. Rouging of seed fields, prior to the stage at which they could contaminate the seed crop c. Periodic testing of varieties for genetic purity d. Avoiding genetic shift by growing crops in areas of their adaptation only. e. Certification of seed crops to maintain genetic purity & quality seed. f. Adopting generation system. (the seeds produced is restricted to four generation only i.e. starting from breeders seeds.) and the seeds can be multiplied up to three more generations i.e. foundations, registered and certified. g. Grow-out – tests: The important factors / safeguards for maintaining genetic purity during seed production are Control of seed source: For raising a seed crop the seeds should be required from an approved source and from an appropriate class is necessary. Four classes of seeds are generally recognized in seed certification namely breeder seed, foundation registered and certified. These classes are recognized by AOSCA i.e. Association of official seed certifying agencies. 1. Breeder’s seed: Is a seed or vegetative propagating material which is directly controlled by sponsoring breeder of institution & which provides increases of foundation seeds. 2. Foundation seed: is a seed stock so as to maintain specific genetic identity and purity and may be designated or disturbed by agriculture experiment station. Production must be carefully supervised by representatives of the station. Foundation seed is the source of all other certified seed classes, either directly or through registered seed. 3. Registered seed: Registered seed is the progenies of foundation and it is handled so as to maintain genetic identity and purity and that has been approved by and certified by certifying agencies. 4. Certified seed: Is the progeny of foundation, registered or certified seed, that is handled to maintain genetic identity and purity and that has been approved by and certified by certifying agencies. Preceding Crop Requirements: Preceding Crop Requirements has been fixed to avoid contamination through volunteer plants and also from soil borne diseases. (Volunteer plants mean plants grown in the field from previous crops). Isolation: Isolation is required during seed crop production to avoid contamination due to natural crossing and diseases infection by wind and insects from neighboring field and also during sowing, harvesting, threshing and handling of seeds to avoid mechanical mixtures. The isolation distance is different from crop to crop and from different classes of seeds. i.e. certified seeds & foundation seed plots Rouging of seed fields: The off time plants i. e. plants offering in their characteristic from those of the seeds variety is another source of genetic contamination. Their continued presence would certainly deteriorate the genetic purity of the variety. The removal of such type of plant is referred as “rouging”. There are three main sources of off- type 1. The off-type plant may be arises due to presence of recessive genes in heterozygous condition at the time of release of variety. (The recessive genes may also arise by mutation). 2. Off-type plants are due to volunteer plants or from seed produced by earlier crop. 3. Mechanical mixtures also constitute the major source foe off- type plants. Seed certification: The genetic purity in commercial seed production is maintained through a system of seed certification. The objective of seed certification to maintain and make available crop seeds, tubers, bulbs, etc. which are of good seeding value and true to variety for seed certification purpose well experienced and qualified personal are required from seed certification agency & they carry out field inspection at appropriate stage of crop growth. They also make seed inspection variety the seed crop/seed lot is of the requisite genetic purity and quality. After harvest crop they variety the quality and at the processing plants they take samples for seed testing and also for grow-out-test. Grow- out – test: Varieties being grown for seed production should periodically be tested for genetic purity by grow – out – test, to make sure that, seed being maintained in their true form. Seed Purity When a farmer buy a seed from any recognized institute or company, he expect to receive a good quality seed and not a mixture of other crop seed, weed seeds, straw etc. It is not possible to remove all these admixtures completely with the use of cleaning machine is & some seeds always remain present and there is necessary to take purity test or analysis, to determine how much % of the admixture is present in the seed. To avoid admixture in seed of a particular variety or crop the buyer can be protected by the seed regulation laws or acts in many countries, for this purpose in many countries “seed testing stations or seed testing laboratory” are set up & these stations or laboratory are associated with ISTA (International seed testing association) Stages of Seed Multiplication The benefits of an improved variety are not released unless enough true seed has been produced for its commercial spread. The initial amount of pure seed which is limited in quantity is multiplied under various stages or classes or seed these are: a. Nucleus seed b. Breeders seed c. Foundation seed d. registered seed e. certified seed Nucleus seed: It is the initial amount of pure seed of an improved variety available with plant breeder who has involved it. The nucleus seed is sent per sent pure genetically as well as physically and is very limited in quantity. Breeder’s seed: It is the seed obtained from the progeny of nucleus seed. It is directly supervised by a breeder concern with the crop. Its genetically and physical purity to be 100 per cent. Foundation seed: It is seed obtained from nucleus or breeder‟s seed. It is produced on seed multiplication farm of a state govt. or grill. Universities. Foundation seed plots are jointly inspected by the SCA (seed certification agency), it is not as pure as the nucleus and breeder‟s seeds are. The bags are sealed with white colored label. Registered seed: It is raised from nucleus, breeders or foundations seeds. Registered seed growers are selected from progressive farmers. The maintenance of purity from time to time. The purity is maintained through field inspections by seed certifying agencies and seed tests. The bags are sealed with purple colored label. Certified seed: It is progeny of registered or foundation seed. When the amount of seed registered seed id supposed to be inadequate to meet farmers agency. The bags are scaled with purple colored label. Seed Certification Seed certification is a legally sanctioned system for quality control of seed multiplication and production and which consists the control measures are 1. It is an administrative check on the origin of propagating material for the purpose of trueness to purity (genetic purity). 2. Field inspection: At the time of growing a crop for seed production purpose. The data should be obtained on trueness to varietals purity, isolation of seed crop to prevent crops- pollination, mechanical admixtures and diseases dissemination, objectionable weeds and admixtures. 3. Supervision on agricultural operations i.e. intercultural operations, harvesting, storage, transport and processing etc. for identity and quality of lots. 4. Sample inspection: For quality and to maintain genetic purity, a lab test of representative samples drawn by the S.C.A. for determining,% of germination moisture content, weed seed content, admixture and purity. 5. Bulk inspection: For checking homogeneity of the bulk as compared with the sample inspected. 6. Control Plot Testing: Samples drawn from the source seed and the final seed produced can be grown in the field along with standard samples of the variety. The purpose of seed certification is to maintain and make available high quality seed and propagating materials of notified plant varieties. Phases of Seed Certification Seed certification has five phases of these are: 1. Verification of seed source. 2. Inspection of seed crop in the field. 3. Supervision at post-harvest stages including processing and packing. 4. Seed sampling and analysis. 5. Grant of certificate, certification tag, tables and sealing. Concepts of Seed Certification The AOSCA (association of official seed certifying agencies) have given some fundamental concepts of seed certification & these are: 1. Pedigree of all certified crops must be essential. 2. The integrity of certified seed growers must be recognized. 3. Field inspection must be made by through qualified field inspectors. 4. Verification trials to establish and maintain satisfactory pedigree of seed stock. 5. For keeping proper records to establish and maintain satisfactory pedigree of seed stock. 6. Standard should be maintained for purity and germination. 7. The principles of sealing seeds to protect both grower and purchase must be approved. Steps Required for Organizing Seed Certification The various steps are required for organizing seeds certification are: 1. Establishment and operation of seed certification agency. 2. Establishment of minimum seed certification standards. 3. Establishment of procedure for field inspection, seed processing, seed sampling and testing, tagging and sealing etc. Seed Certification Agency The broad principles for forming a seed certification agency are: a. Should not involve in production and marketing seeds. b. It should have a autonomy body. c. The seed certification standards and procedure adapted by S.C.A should be uniform. The same standard and procedure should be adopted through out the country. d. It is closely associated with technical institute. Its relationship with other institute should be clearly defined. e. Should be operating on a no-profit-no loss basis. f. Technique staff (adequate) trained in seed certification should be maintained. g. Prevision for creating adequate facilities and timely inspections. h. It should be served in the interests of seed produces and buyers. Structure of Seed Certification Agency a. Director: The director is responsible for the all over functioning of the company. He should be the member of secretary of the board of director and also the chairmen of various committees framed time to time with specific problem. b. Supervisors (seed certification officers): For each group of related species under certification e.g. cereal seeds, vegetable seeds etc. He should the put in charge of supervising the field inspector‟s work and observes the rules and regulations, minimum standers are met or not. He should trained seed inspectors and other personal involved in inspection. c. Seed Certification Inspectors: He should be a trained and technical based of the seed certification system. During field inspection season, he must be willing to work long hours during peak period. He should be encourage and pursuable seed growers and seed producer to adopt new techniques and scientific finding. He should be good at public relation and also to guide and lead farmers by his devotion to work. Duties and responsibilities of Seed Certification Agency 1. To arrange for suitable application, inspection and report forms. 2. To identify source of breeders seed. That can be used as the basis for further multiplication. 3. Through field inspection, that prescribes the minimum standard for isolation, planting ratio, raguing etc. 4. To assists seed growers and producers in obtaining suitable planting seed. This is especially in case of H.S.P. 5. To assists seed producer at the time of harvesting, drying & processing. 6. To draw a seed sample and inspect seed lots & submit such sample to the seed testing laboratory for maintaining the prescribed seed standards. 7. To issue appropriate seed certification tags for seed lots. 8. To maintain adequate records. So that the eligibility of specific lot can be determined in subsequent years. 9. Close working relationship between seed growers, dealers, research personals government‟s officials, etc. 10. To take appropriate corrective actions against rigorously any violation of prescribed standards or complaints from uses of certified seeds. Meaning of Seed and Its Importance Seed: Any plant part used for raising the crop is seed. Seed include true seed seedling cutting, rhizome, grafts, roots etc used for Propagation. Botanically seed is matured integument mega sporangium. Seed is also defined as matured ovule consisting or embryonic together with store of food surrounded by protective coat. Importance of Seed in Crop Production: Seed is crucial and basic input to increase crop yields per unit area. The importance of seed in crop production is known to human being since Vedic period. There is clear mention in ancient literature yajarveda “May the seed viable,may the rains plentiful and may the grains ripe days and nights” History of agriculture progress from early days is also the history of seed of new crops and varieties. The progress was very fast from last three decades. The green revolution was only possible with production of generally pure seeds possessing other qualities namely high generation, high vigours high physical purity and sound health. Hence green revolution is in fact seed revolution. Only seeds of assured quality can be expected to respond to fertilizer and other inputs in expected manner, otherwise see of hope may turn into seed of frustration. Among the inputs used by farmers seed in the cheapest input. It is basic inputs and forms small part of the total cost of cultivation. The good seed also increase the efficiency of the factor of crop production. Difference between Seed and Grain The difference between seed and grain is given as below: Sr.No Seed Grain Any plant part used for propagation is seed. It includes seeds category , It is final produce of grain crops used 1 rhizome , grafts etc. for consumption. Can be treated with fungicide, Not treated with fungicide and 2 pesticide. Pesticide. 3 Embryo is important. Endosperm is important. 4 Viability is important. Viability never considers. 5 Genetic purity must. Genetic purity not necessary 5 Genetic purity must. Genetic purity not necessary 6 Comes under preview of seed acts. Comes under preview of food acts. Concept of Seed Technology Seed is biological industry. Being seminal importance to agriculture seed is strictly speaking an “Embryo“ a living organism embedded in supporting food storage tissue. The business of seed technology is to protect this biological entity and look after its welfare. Good agricultural depend upon good quality seed. The progress in agriculture depends upon production and marketing of good quality seed of high yielding varieties. The science, seed technology takes care of all these aspects. Seed Technology: Seed technology is the science dealing with the methods of improving physical and genetical characteristics of seed. It involves such activities as variety development, evolution and release of varieties, seed production, seed processing, seed certification and storage. Thus seed technology is interdisciplinary science which includes broad range of subjects. It also includes seed quality control, seed marketing, seed distribution and research on above aspects of seed. Seed Technology includes following Branches. 1) Seed Production 2) Seed Processing 3) Seed Certification 4) Seed Testing 5) Seed Biology 6) Seed Storage 7) Seed Entomology 8) Seed Pathology 9) Seed Marketing. Role of Seed Technology The role of Improved Seed Technology is Given Below: 1) Improved Seed is Carrier of New Technology: Introduction of quality seed of new varieties wisely combined with other inputs significantly increases the yield level. In India cultivation of high yielding introduced dwarf wheat varieties helped to increases the production from 12 million tones making country self sufficient with in span of 10 years. 2) Improved Seed is Basic Tool for Secured Food Supply: Due to successful implementation of high yielding variety programme in India crop productivity is significantly increased as a result import is substantially reduced. The export is increasing in majority of crops in spite of rapid population increase. 3) Improved Seed is a Principal Means to Secure Crop Yields in Less Favourable Areas of Production: Good quality seed of suitable varieties helped in securing higher crop yields. In disaster region E.g M-35-1 drought resistant variety in Jawar served as a boon in drought prone area in rainy season. 4) Improved Seed is a Medium for Rapid Rehabilitation of Agriculture in case of Natural Disaster: In the wide spread droughts and floods, it is much economical if government had National Seed Reserve Stock (NSRS) at their disposal. NSRS plays two fold roles. i) It provide improved seed in emergency period in production areas, and ii) To supply seed for resowing in disaster region (Normally which is not available with farmer in time). Goals or Objects of Seed Technology Major goal of seed technology is to increase agricultural production through spread of good quality seed of high yielding varieties developed by the plant breeders, well before the planting season at reasonable cost. Following are important objectives of seed technology. 1) Rapid Multiplication: It is the quickest possible spread of new high yielding varieties and hybrids developed by the plant breeder. 2) Timely Supply: The improved seed of available well in time, so that the planting schedule is not disturbed and they are able to harvest the good crop. 3) Assured High Quality Seed: The expected divided in agriculture from use of improved seed is possible with use of good quality seed. 4) Reasonable Price: The cost of quality seed must be within reach of average farmer. The cost of the seed must be cheap and farmers should able to purchase it. Seed Demand Forecasting The assessment of effective seed requirement is critical to any planned seed programme. The underlying principle in making demand forecasting should be that the seed supply keeps place with seed demand ( both present and future ) in terms of quantity , quality, price, place and time. The outcome of such approach would be planned seed production and marketing would also avoid shortage and gluts and as well as ensure stable price and profits. In Making Demand Forecast, the following Factors must be Considered Carefully: a) Total cultivated acerage, seed rate, quantity replacement period and assessment of total potential seed requirement of each important crop. b) Impact of extension efforts on the introduction of improved production techniques and future plans for promotion. c) Current acerage under high yielding varieties and amount of seed sold in last year. d) Cultivar preference for varieties, package, kind of packing, quality and price. e) Number and size of competition. f) Kinds of publicity and sales promotion those are most effective. g) Climate of the area where seed is being marketed. Assessment of potential effective seed demand of the market based on total seed requirement is very little value, since the demand for high quality seed normally exists for crop area which is under good fertility and irrigated condition. The requirement for the remaining crop area covered by uncontrolled production material obtained from the preveious crop production. Further more, experience shows that the varietal purity and the yield potential of high quality seed of self pollinating varieties can be maintained by farmers during reproduction processes, without significant deterioration for three to four generation. Therefore individual farmers not only need to replace seed of self pollinated varieties every third year or fourth year. Thus demand for high quality seed of self pollinated crop is not higher than 25-30 percent of total requirement for area under crop. A rather different approach must be taken 19 n marketing of hybrid seed, in which case new seed is needed by the farmer each season. Although, the critical period may be rather difficult the subsequent planning is easier, particular after sales statistics are seen to point in certain direction. The dealers need to make periodic surveys of the market areas to determine market potential, at least one season in advance. Dealer advance orders should be treated as information material to aid production sector in organizing an effective production programme. General and Genetic Principal of Seed Production General Principles of Seed Production: Production of genetically pure good quality seed is exact task of seed producer which require high technical skill and high financial investment. During seed production strict attention must be given to maintenance of genetic purity and other qualities of seed. Therefore seed production must be carried out under Standardized and well organized condition. It is achieved by using genetic and agronomic principles during seed production programme. Genetic Principles of Seed Production: Genetic purity of a variety can deteriorate due to several factors. Important Factors Responsible for Deterioration of Genetic Purity of Crop Variety 1) Developmental Variation: When varieties are multiplied outside area of normal cultivation. There is danger of developmental variation and genetic change or shift may appear in the varieties. Sometimes it becomes necessary it raise the seed crop outside their area of adaptation to maintain steady supply of good quality seed. E.g Seed production of flowers there should not be rains during harvesting period; hence seed production needs to be taken outside the normal area of cultivation, where there are no rains in post flowering period. Similarly seed production of rainfed cotton varieties can be taken under irrigated conditions which reduces land requirement significantly as productivity of material as irrigated crop is high. Disease free potato seed production is always taken at hilly region of simala though potato is extensively cultivated in plain regions. The extent of developmental variation increases with 1) Number of generation out the area of adaptation. 2) Condition of adaptation – The varieties bred for extreme condition i.e disease resistance, drought resistance against cold, show greater deterioration. 3) Mode of pollination –the cross pollinated crops varieties deteriorate faster than self pollinated. 4) Stability of genotype-Unstable genotype deteriorates fastly. 2) Mechanical Mixture: This is dangerous source of variety deterioration. It occurs commonly when 1) More than one variety is sown in same piece of land. 2) When same drill used for sowing number of varieties. 3) It occurs when numbers of varieties are threshed on same yard. 4) It also occurs when same threshing machine is used for threshing number of varieties. 5) It also occur when gunny bags and storage bins are reused for storage of seed. It happens when proper care is not taken during different operations. To avoid mechanical mixture to keep sufficient isolation is always desirable. 3) Mutation: This is not serious factor for varietal deterioration. Minor mutations are difficult to identity. To avoid deterioration due to mutation minute observations and timely roughing is essential. 4) Natural Crossing: It depends upon natural cross fertilization it may be due to 1) Natural cross with undesirable types 2) Natural crossing with diseased plants. 3) Natural crossing with off types. Once the natural cross fertilization taken place the deterioration take place at cellular level and such deterioration is can not be rectified. In self pollinated crops the natural crossing is not serious factor of source of contamination and deterioration but it is serious in cross pollinated /Crops. The extent of cross pollination depends on varies factors Precautions for Maintaining Genetic Purity in Seed Production a) Control of Seed Source: Appropriate class of seed purchased from approved source should be used for raising the seed crop. Breeder seed used for raising foundation seed plot and foundation seed used for raising certified seed plot. Seed must purchased from approved sources like Agril University, Agril. Research Station or Maharashtra State Seed Corporation. (MSSC). b) Crop Requirement: There should not be same crop in the preveious season to save genetic contamination from volunteer plants. They are unwanted plants of the same crop growing in the seed field from the seeds that remain in the field from preveious year crop. c) Isolation: It helps to avoid natural crossing with undesirable plants, as well as to avoid mechanical mixture during sowing and harvesting. There are two types of isolations. a) Space Isolation: Space between seed field and contaminant. b) Time Isolation: The flowering of contaminant and seed field should not coincide with each other. In certified seed production programme time isolation is not permitted and space isolation must be followed as per crop standards. c) Rogueing: Removal of undesirable plants from seed production field is called rogueing. It includes removal of 1) Volunter plants 2) Offtypes plants 3) Diseased Plants 4) Other crop plants 5) Objectionable weed plants. Rogueing is responsibility of seed grower. The rogue plants are removed before they caused contamination for cross pollinated crops every days rougeing during flowering. Stage of Seed Multiplication Agencies Involved in Production 1) Nucleus Seed: Original breeder who has developed the variety or hybrids. 2) Breeder Seed: Original breeder sponsored breeder. 3) Foundation Seed (Stage I and Stage II): State Agril.Universities. (Stage I and Stage II) Taluka Seed Farms, State Farms, Private Seed Companies, State Seeds Corporation, N.S.C and (National Seed Corporation) 4) Register Seed: Progressive farmers or registered seed Growers. 5) Certified Seed (Stage I and Stage II): State seeds corporations, private seed companies and individual seed producers N.S.C (National Seed Corporation) 6) Truthful Seed: Any individual. Quality Seed should have following Criteria a) It should meet minimum genetic purity. b) It should have good germination. c) It should be free from infection of seed borne disease and stored grain pests. d) It should not contain impurities like other crop seed, trash material beyond permissible limits. What is Nucleus Seed It is the initial amount of pure seed of improved variety or parental lines of a hybrid produced under supervision of the plant breeder who has evolved that variety of hybrid. The nucleus seed is genetically cent percent pure and does not contain other physical impurities. The nucleus seed is produced strictly under isolation so as to avoid both genetically and physical contamination. Nucleus seed should retain original vigour of the variety or parental line. About 500 to 1000 individual plants (IPS) which are vigorously growing and healthy are selected from the nucleus bulk-plot before flowering starts. Observations are recorded on each IPS for all the important morphological characters viz plant height , stem colour, hairiness, pigmentation, growth habit, colour and shape of different plant parts, days to flowering and maturity. The IPS which are a) Off types or b) affected by seed borne disease are removed and discarded. The individual IPS selected are harvested and threshed separately and their seed produce is dried, cleaned and stored in separate cloth bags or paper bags with proper labeling. The seed of each IPS is examined for seed characters and for oil content if it is an oil seed crop. The seed produce of each IPS is weighed. The seed yield per IPS , 1000 (or 100) seed weight and data on other quantitative characters more than mean+ S.E are retained as source for raising next year‟s nucleus seed and of rejected IPS is bulked with general produce. Seed produce of IPS selected during preveious year is grown as plant to row progeny during subsequent year. Observations are recorded in all the plants form each IPS for important characters. The IPS which shows off types are discarded and harvested before flowering so as to avoid contamination. 500 to 1000 vigorous growing healthy and true to type IPS are selected from remaining progeny rows and their produce is subjected to harvesting, processing and statistical analysis as described earlier. The produce of selected individual (IPS) is utilized for raising plant to row progenies in the next year. The selected plant to row progenies are harvested and processed in individual bulks. Their seed is examined, weighted and subjected to statistical analysis for mean and S.E. The progenies which show seed yield more than mean+ S.E are bulked together which becomes source for breeder seed. In case of cross pollinated crops it is essential to self IPS as well as each plant from every bulk before flowering for preveious cross pollination. What is Breeder Seed? It is the progeny of nucleus seed. Generally breeder seed is produced in one stage. But if there is greater demand for breeder seed and there is low seed multiplication ratio then breeders seed can be produced in two stages, viz Breeder stage I and II. In such cases breeder seed, stage I becomes source for breeder Stage II. Breeder seed can be produced by original breeder, sponsored breeder on Agricultural University farms and rarely on government farm. Breeder seed plots are subjected to joint inspection by a team consisting of crop breeder from other Agricultural Universities in the State, representative of All India Coordinated Research Projects of the crop, National Seeds Corporation, State Seeds Corporation and Divisional Seed Certification Officer. Breeder seed produced should meet all prescribed standards viz. genetic purity (99.9 % more), physical purity (98%). Germination (as per crop) moisture content (less than 12%). After passing the seed lot, breeder seed tags in buff colour or Golden Yellow are signed by the concerned breeder and tagged to the breeder seed bags size of tag 12X 8 cm. Foundation Seed and Registered Seed Foundation Seed: It is the progeny of breeder seed and can be produced in two stages viz. Stage I and Stage II. Foundation seed is produced on the farms of State Agril. Universities, Taluka Seeds Farms, other Govt. farms, State Seeds Corporations and Private seed companies. Foundation seed plots are required to be registered for certification with state seed certification agency. They are jointly inspected by a team consisting of Divisional Seed Certification Officer, concerned crop breeder and District Seed Certification Officer when foundation seed meets minimum seed certification standards including field tests. It is certified as foundation seed and after processing and testing of seed completed bags are tagged with white coloured tag and label together and sealed the bag by using lead seal size of foundation tag is 15 X 7.5 Registered Seed: It is progeny of foundation seed produced by progressive formers or registered seed growers according to technical advice and supervision provided by NSC. It is inspected by representative of seed certification agencies from DSCO office. The registered seed is genetically pure. It is labeled with purple colour tag. Certified Seed and Truthful Seed Certified Seed: It is the progeny of foundation seed. Plots of certified seed are offered for certification with seed certification agency which inspects the plots during crop growth and at harvesting. After processing seed samples are drawn by seed certification officer and sent to STL seed for seed testing. When seed lot meets certification standards prescribed for the crop. Then It is processed, bagged, tagged with blue colour tag and label together and sealed by using lead seal. Size of tag 15X 7.5 cm. Truthful Seed: It is the category of seed produced by cultivators, private seed companies and is sold under truthful labels. But field standard and seed standard should maintain as per seed act and certified seed stage. Under the seed act, the seed producer and seed seller are responsible for the seed. Source of Seed and Stages of Seed Multiplication Sr.No Stages of Seed Multiplication Source of Seed 1 Nucleus , IPS Nucleus 2 Breeder-Stage I Nucleus 3 Breeder-Stage II Breeder 4 Foundation Stage I Breeder I or II 5 Foundation Stage II Foundation Stage I 6 Certified Stage I Foundation Stage I or II 7 Certified Stage II Certified Stage I 8 Truthful Seed Breeder to Certified Stage II. Principles of Quality Seed Production of Foundation and Certified Seed Use of quality seed of improved variety of notified variety of hybrids is a basic input in cultivation of any crops as it ensures high crop stand, vigorous and healthy crop growth and thereby it ensures high productivity of that crop. Use of certified seed assures the cultivators in getting quality seed, as certified seed production is subjected to the process of seed certification, and as per provisions of the seed Act only those seed lots which are offered for certification and which meet minimum certification standards are certified and other lots are rejected from certification. Production of certified seed of any notified variety or hybrids or parental lines of hybrids requires technical knowledge of the principles involved and timely adoption of provisions of seed certification. It is therefore essential for the seed producer to acquaint with the principles of certified seed production. Certified seed production can be undertaken for foundation stage ( for varieties, and inbreds or parental lines of hybrids) and for certified stage for only notified varieties and hybrids.Before undertaking certified seed production either of foundation or certified stage, it is necessary to get well acquainted with the basic principles of seed production and formalities required to be completed. Requirements of Certified Seed Production 1) Source of Seed: Appropriate / proper class of seed need to be obtained from approved source according to stages of seed multiplication. In case of foundation seed, breeder seed with yellow or buff coloured tag is to be used for sowing while for certified seed production, certified foundation seed with white tag is to be used. While purchasing the breeder or foundation seed, following precautions are to be taken. a) The bags containing breeder seed or foundation seed should intact with lead seals not tampered or removed. b) Certification tag i.e yellow tag for breeder seed and white tag for foundation seed should be stitched to the bag and intact. It should be signed by seed certification officer / crop breeder. c) While procuring the seed, period of validation or revalidation noted on the tag be checked. If the validity or revalidation period of the tag is expired, the seed should not be used for seed production. The source of purchased seed should be verified by SCA before sowing. d) The empty bags and the tags should be preserved properly till the seed is certified. It helps in giving documentary evidence if legal dispute arises. The tags are also required to be produced at the time of field inspections. Generally seeds of notified varieties are multiplied in four tier system i.e nucleus seed, breeder seed, foundation seed and certified seed. 2) Registration of Seed Plot: When the seed plot is to be offered for certification, it is necessary to register the said plot for certification with District Seed Certification Officer. For this an application is to be made in prescribed form ( Form A) and is to be submitted to District Seed Certification Officer along with agreement bond on stamp paper of Rs.100/ duly notarised or registered with Taluka magistrate. The registration fee is to be paid in the treasury on challans as per following rates. Sr.No Stage Type Fees to be Paid 1 Certified Varieties Rs.80.00 per acre seed plot area 2 Certified Hybrids Rs.160.00 per acre seed plot area Varieties Inbred 3 Foundation Parental lines Rs.160.00 per acre seed plot area Rs.10.00 per form for ( F/S and 4 Form fee - C/S) Rs.30.00 per grower for F/S and 5 Application fee - C/S Late registration Rs.50.00 per grower for ( F/S and 6 fee - C/S) The Application form with agreement bond are to be handed to seed certification office along with a copy of challans. It is necessary to adhere to the last date prescribed for registration of seed plots. In any case, if the seed plot is not registered within 15 days after sowing or last date and late registration date prescribed by director of SCA. It is likely that the seed plot may not be accepted for certification. 3) Land Requirement: a) The land selected for seed production should be suitable for that crop. It should be medium to deep and well drained light soils, sandy soils or waterlogged soils should not be selected for seed production as such lands affect crop growth and thereby reduce the seed yields. b) The land selected for seed production should be comparatively free from soil borne diseases, insect pests and noxious weed seeds. c) As far as possible the land selected for seed production should not have same crop grown in the proceeding season. However, if same crop is grown in the proceeding season, then it should be irrigated three weeks before sowing so that seed of preveious crop that had fallen the soil will start germination. The land should be harrowed for removing seedlings of volunteer plants, weeds, other crop plants. d) It is desirable to have protective irrigation source. e) The selected land should meet isolation requirement. 4) Isolation Requirement: Isolation is the separation of seed field from the fields of a) Other varieties or hybrids of same crop. b) Same variety of hybrids which do not conforming to varietal requirements. c) Other related species which are readily crossable and d) Fields affected by designated diseases prevent genetic and disease contamination. When a seed plot is grown in isolation, it ensures that no cross pollination takes place. Plants from the seed plot and plants of same species or closely related species thereby help in maintaining the genetic identity of the seed plot. Isolation of seed plot can be maintained by two ways i.e a) Time isolation and b) Space isolation. In case of time isolation, sowing of seed plot is adjusted in such a manner that the seed plot does not came to flowering at the same time with the neighbouring crop of same variety or other variety of the same crop or related species. Sowing of the seed plot is usually carried 15 to 21 days before or after emergence of the neighbouring crop. This time isolation helps is preventing the genetic contamination of the seed crop as seed plot comes to flowering either before or after the neighbouring crop completes its flowering time isolation is not allowed in certified seed production. Space Isolation: Space isolation is the minimum distance kept between the seed plot and neighbouring plot of same crop which prevents natural cross pollination and physical contamination. During pollination, pollens are carried from one plant to other either through air or insects. The pollens remain viable for some period before they reach stigma of female flower for pollination. The viability period of pollens which varies according to the species depends upon the size and weight of pollens, and climatic conditions viz. air temperature and air humidity. In case of cross pollinated crops, pollens are liberated in air and are carried thought air to some distance before they reach stigma. The distance upto which pollens are carried in viable conditions varies according the species which in turn, varies according to weight of pollens. E. g In case of highly cross – pollinated crops the isolation distance is much higher as the pollens of these species can travel longer distance in viable condition. In case of self pollinated crops as pollination occurs before opening of the flowers, isolation distance is less to prevent physical contamination. Mode of Pollination prescribed Foundation Certified Sr.No Crop (mtrs) Distance Distance 1 Rice, Wheat, groundnut, soybean Self Pollinated 3 3 Jowar (Open pollinated varieties), Tur Often cross 2 , sunflower pollinated 200 100 Often cross 3 Cotton, Jute pollinated 50 30 4 Jowar hybrids Cross pollinated 300 200 Maize a) Inbreeds and single crosses 5 b) Hybrids c) Composites - 400 - 6 Mustard, Sunflower - 400 200 7 Bajara ( Hybrid) - 1000 200 8 Lucerne , Berseem - 400 100 9 Cole Crops - 1600 1000 10 Gram Self Pollinated 10 5 It is necessary to maintain prescribed isolation distance on all sides of the seed crop throught the cultivation of seed crop. The seed producer should visit all areas surrounding the seed plot which lie within the isolation distance and see that no plants belonging to the crop of seed plot of its closely related species comes to flowering. Such plants should be removed before they set flowers. 5) Cultivation Practices and Plants Protection: Cultivation practise recommended for the crop are required to be adopted timely so as to get good stand of seed crop and thereby higher seed yields. It consists of a) Good land preparation. b) Use of optimum seed rate with timely sowing. c) Application of FYM and fertilizers at recommended doses and as per schedule of split application. d) Timely weeding and Interculturing. e) Timely control of pests and diseases. f) Timely application of irrigations. g) Watching the seed plots from birds, stray animals. 6) Roughing: Rouge is an undesirable plant or off type growing in the seed plot. Roughing is the removal of individual plants which differ significantly from the normal type of the variety. The most important object of the seed production is to maintain genetic purity of the variety or hybrids seed plot. For this purpose it is necessary to follow rouging vigorously. Rouging consists of removal of a) Off types b) Volunteer plants c) Pollen shedders in female (A) lines, d) Plants of noxious weeds and other crops, e) Diseased plants affected by seed borne diseases growing in the seed plot and f) Tassels from plants in the female rows of seed production of single hybrids and double hybrids in maize. It is necessary to carry rouging vigorously and punctually throughout the crops growth i.e till harvesting. Rouging is to carried in three phases. i.e a) Pre Flowering, b)During Flowering and, c) Post flowering or before harvesting. During pre-flowering period plants which are morphologically distinguishable from true characters of the variety should be removed. Similarly volunteer plants, other crop plants, weed plants should also be checked. During flowering period which lasts for 15 to 30 days rouging should be carried more critically and all off types, volunteer plants, and pollen shedders in M.S lines should be removed before shed pollens. Timely rouging during flowering helps in preventing natural cross pollination and also reduces the proportion of off types. Simultaneously isolation area on sides of seed plot be checked for removing volunteer plants before they flower. Plants affected by seed borne diseases, other crop plants and tall growing weed plats should also be removed. In case of seed plots of both single and double hybrids of maize work of detasseling should be carried in female lines before they shed pollens. Roguing should be continued during seed development stage and before harvesting for removing visibly distinct off types other crop plants and diseased plants. Post flowering rouging is admissible in seed production of self pollinated crops. 7) Field Inspection: As per provisions of seed certification, the seed plots offered for certifications are subjected to field inspection by the staff of seed certification agency. The number of field inspections is usually carried without prior intimation to the seed producer. It is the responsibility of the seed producer to follow the instructions given by the field inspector. For this purpose seed producer or his responsible representative remain present on the field during each inspection. During the field inspection, source of seed used with tag isolation planting rouging are checked and counts of off types, shedders etc are taken. A copy of inspection report is handed over to the producer. Seed producer should see that all operations required to maintain prescribed genetic and physical purity of seed plot are carried before each inspection, otherwise carelessness on part of the seed producer may result in rejection of seed plot from certification. 8) Harvesting, Threshing, Drying and Sealing of Raw Seed: Seed plot should be harvested at proper stage of maturity and only after permission is granted by the field inspector. After harvesting the crop, it should be brought to threshing yard for drying care should be taken to see that there will not be contamination with other varieties in the produce of seed plot. The seed produce be threshed and winnowed for removing major part of inert matter. i. e Stones, sand , dried twigs, leaves, husk etc. The cleaned seed produce should be bagged in the presence of the field inspectors who ill seal the entire bags ad issue threshing certificate. At the time of sealing, field inspector draw 3 kg sample from each lot. In case of F/S and certified cotton seed for F.T. The seed bags should be transported to authorized seed processing plant for processing along with threshing certificate. It may be noted that the seed will not be accepted for processing at seed processing plant unless it is brought in bags sealed by the field inspector and issued with threshing certificate. 9) Seed Processing: Seed lot accepted for processing is processed at the seed draws three samples and sends one sample to seed testing laboratory for testing laboratory for testing, one sample kept at his disposal and one sample for concerned seed producer. 10) Bagging, Tagging: When the seed lot is passed by seed certification agency on the basis of seed testing laboratory report (STL). The processed and treated seed is bagged and tagged with appropriate tags issued by seed certification officer. 11) Release of Seed Lot: The certified seed lot is released to the seed producer for sale. But foundation seed lot is released after getting FT report. Rs…………only Seal Seed Certification Agency Maharashtra State Application for Certified Seed Production Programme (Use Separate Application for Different Crop/Variety) 1. Full Name: 2. Location: a. Address:………………. b. Village Name:………… c. Post Office:…………… Pin code:…………. d. Taluka:…………. e. District:………… f. Ref. Phone No:………… g. Near by S.T Stand:…………..km…….. h. Near by Railway Station ……..km……….. 3. Crop Details: a. Crop Name:…….. b. Variety:…………. c. Hybrid /Improved:……. d. Male Seed:…….. e. Female Seed:…… 4. Seed Source Details : a. Name of Product:………. b. Source Seed:……………. c. R.O Number:…………… d. Lot. Number:…………… e. Other Information:……… 5. Load Details: a. Survey / Gut Number: ……….. b. Local Name:………….. c. Area Hectare……………. Acre:…………… 6. Farmers Name: ( North):………… ( South):………… ( East):…………. ( West):…………. 7. Seed to be Produced : Found I/ Found II/ Certi I/ Certi II 8. Sowing Date: ………….. 9. Name of Agency :………… 10. Fee Details: a. Registration Fee:……….. b. Inspection Fee:…….. c. Challan No:……….. d. Late Fee:………….. e. Total:……… Date :…../……… Application‟s Signature For Office Use Only: Registration No:………….. District Code : ………….. No of Units:………….. Taluka Code:…………. Field Inspection: Two inspections I at flowering and II before harvesting. Harvesting: 1) The seed crop should be taken from seed certification officer for harvesting the seed plot. 2) The crop is harvested by taking care to ensure that there will be no physical contamination with neighbouring crop. Drying: The initial moisture content of freshly harvested seed is usually high in between 15 to 25%.It is therefore necessary to dry the seed produce to bring its moisture content to safe level of 12% or less. For this purpose , the harvested material is dried in sun light for 4 to 6 days. During drying , the produce should be turned over frequently so that all portion of the produce is exposed to sun and also it facilitates free air circulation. Threshing: After proper drying the seed produce is to be threshed by using bullocks, tractors, or suitable thresher. The thresher should be thoroughly cleaned from inside for removing seed of preveious crop. The speed of the thresher should be adjusted by choosing appropriate size of pulley so as to prevent mechanical damage to the seed. After threshing, the produce should be winnowed for removing husk, bhusa and other trash material. In case of groundnut, pods are removed from the plants by twisting with hands or by beating the plants on wooden plank. All dry leaves, twigs and soil pieces etc should be removed. Then the pods are sieved for removing shrivelled and undersized pods. When the seed produce is properly dried, threshed and cleaned, raw seed is filled in gunny bags and after putting the threshing slip inside the gunny bags, these gunny bags are sealed by seed certification officer and marked the gunny bags with all details of seed information. The sealed seed produce is transported to the seed processing plant for further processing along with threshing certificate, if the produced seed is to be transported to other district processing plant to obtain interdistrict transport certificate from district seed certification officer and submit the same to the seed processing plant, it is subjected to processing which consist of following steps. All seed processing done under the supervision of Agril Officer of S.C.A. 1. Drying if seed moisture content is more than 12% 2. Precleaning 3. Grading 4. Seed Treatment 5. Weighing, Bagging 6. Tagging and Sealing 7. Release the seed lot Seed Yield (Q/ha): 1. Rice= 20-25 2. Wheat=20-25 3. Soybean=10-12 4. Groundnut=8-10 Rainfed Groundnut- 20-25 Irrigated 5. Gram= 15 -20 Irrigated Foundation and Certified Seed Production in Sorghum Notified Varieties: Jowar (Kharif): CS-3541, SPV-465, SPV-465, SPV-475, SPV-86, PKV-801. Jowar (Rabi): M-35-1, Swati, Selection-3. Land Requirement: The land selected for seed production of any of these crops should be medium to deep, well drained and have irrigation facility. The land selected for seed production should not have been used for raising same crop during preveious growing season. Isolation Requirement: The isolation distance prescribed for seed production of different crops is as under. Crop Isolation Distance (m) Foundation Isolation Distance (m) Certified Jowar a-200 100- For other Jowar Variety b-400 400- For Johnson Grass c-400 200- For forage sorghum Season Sowing Period of Seed Production: As in other crops, seed production of often cross pollinated crops should be taken during proper season and during optimum period as detailed below: Sr.No Crop Season Optimum Sowing Period Immediately after commencement of Monsoon 1 Jowar Kharif and not later than I week of July. 2 Jowar Rabi II Fortnight of Sept. Source of Seed: Breeders seed and foundation seed should be used for raising foundation and certified seed crops respectively. Before sowing of these breeder seed and foundation seed source verification must be done from seed certification agency. Production Technology: Package of practices recommended for cultivation of these crops should be adopted viz, seed rate, spacing, proper sowing , fertilizer , application , Interculturing, weeding, plant protection, irrigation, etc. Sr.No Crop Major Pests Major Disease 1 Kharif Jowar Shoot fly stem borer Grain mold, grain smut. 2 Rabi Jowar Shoot fly , aphids Grain smut, sugary disease. Pod borer, pod fly, fuserium wilt, 3 Tur Pod borer, pod fly and sterility mosaic. Bollworms, aphids, red cotton Alternaria leaf spot, Bacterial 4 Cotton bug, dusky cotton bug leaf blight. 5 Safflower Aphids Alternaria leaf blight. Roguing: Roguing should be carried vigorously from early stage of crop and continued till flowering completed. During rouging, off types, volunteer, other crop plants and diseased plants should be removed from the seed plot and from the areas within isolation distance on all sides. Off types and volunteer plants should be rogue before they come to flowering. Seed plot should fulfill minimum field standards. (Appendix VIII). Field Inspections: 2 to 3-1 inspection at pre-flowering stage and remaining during flowering to harvest. Harvesting: In case of Jowar, tur and safflower when more than 50 percent leaves turn yellow, the seed crop has reached the stage of maturity. In cotton when 30 percent or more balls are fully opened, the crop is ready for picking. If Jowar seed plot is caught in the rains before or during harvesting, the seed is likely to get affected by grain mold which reduces the germination. In such cases the ear heads of the standing crop be sprayed with Thirum at 1 kg/ha in 500 litres of water. Drying: 1) The produce brought to the threshing yard is spread in thin layers on threshing floor and exposed to sun drying for 4 to 6 days. 2) In case of cotton, seed cotton should be dried by putting it on gunny bags or tarpaulins so as to avoid contamination with soil and trash. Threshing: 1) Seed produce of Jowar, is threshed by using tractor or a thresher and the seed is precleaned by winnowing. The raw seed is filled in clean gunny bags with marking sealed by seed certification staff and taken to the recognized seed processing plant with T.C. Processing: Steps Involved in Processing: A) Jowar, Tur, Safflower: a) Drying if need, b) Precleaning c) Cleaning and Grading d) Seed treatment e) Release of seed lot B) Cotton: a) Drying, if needed b) Precleaning c) Ginning, d) Hand grading or grading followed by delinting (acid or gas) e) Seed treatment f) Bagging, tagging and sealing. Seed Yield (Q/ha): 1) Jowar-30 to 40 2) Tur- 15 to 20 Foundation and Certified Seed Production in Bajara WCC-75, ICTP- 8203, ICMV-870901, RHR-1 (SANGAM) , I.C.M.S. 7703 Land Requirement: The land selected for seed production of any of the cross pollinated crop varieties should not have same crop grown in the preveious season or year. In case of castor and sunflower, preveious crop should not have been grown in two successive seasons unless the preveious crop was grown from certified seed of the same variety. The land should be medium, levelled and well drained. If the seed production of sunflower is taken on deep soils then crop is likely to be affected heavily by the disease, Rhizoctonia wilt. In case of castor, it will produce more vegetative grown on heavy soils. Isolation Requirement: In case of cross pollinated crops, pollination is mainly carried through wind and by honey bees, it is therefore necessary to observe isolation requirement more scrupulously. Crop Minimum Isolation Distance (M) Bajara Varieties Foundation-400, Certified-200 Season: Seed production of Bajara, Maize and Sunflower can be taken during Kharif, Rabi, as well as summer seasons. However, seed production should not be taken during summer seasons as high temperatures creates problem of poor seed setting in Maize and Sunflower. In areas where late rains are received in September when Sunflower crop is in flowering stage sunflower seed production should not undertaken during Kharif season, because late heavy rains during flowering helps in development of the disease, Rhizoctonia wilt which kill almost all sunflower plants standing in the field. Optimum period for sowing of seed plots of Bajara, is upto 15 th July in Kharif season. Source of Seed: Breeder seed and certified foundation seed be used for production of foundation and certified seed of those crops respectively. Cultivation Practices: Recommended package of practices viz. seed rate, spacing, fertilizer application , plant protection, irrigation, weeding, hoeing should be carried timely so as to get maximum seed yield. Roguing: Roguing should be started from Pre-flowering stage and continued vigorously during flowering. During Roguing off types, volunteer plants, other crop plants, tall weed plants should be removed before they come to flowering from the seed plot as well as from areas within isolation distance on all sides of the seed plot. Field Inspections: In case of maize, sunflower and castor varieties, minimum two field inspections are carried out while in Bajara seed plots are subjected to three field inspections. First inspection is carried before flowering for checking source of seed, isolation and remaining inspections during flowering when isolation, off types etc. are checked. Harvesting, Drying, Threshing : When more than 50 percent of leaves turn yellow, the crop has reached to the stage of maturity. After seeking the permission of seed certification officer, the cobs of maize ear heads of Bajara are cut and brought to threshing yard where they are spread in thin layers for drying. In case of castor , plants are cut and brought to threshing yards in bundles. The seed produce is exposed to sun for drying for 5 to 6 days. The cobs of maize are shelled by using maize Sheller while seed produce of sunflower and Bajara is threshed by thresher. In case of castor threshing is done by beating with sticks. The threshed produce is cleaned by winnowing and raw but clean seed produce is filled in clean gunny bags, sealed and are transported to seed processing plant for processing. Seed Processing: Steps involved in processing of the seed of Bajara, Maize, Sunflower, and Castor are a) Pre-drying if needed b) Precleaning and Grading c) Seed Treatement d) Bagging, tagging, and Sealing Seed Yields (Q/ha) : Bajara: 10 to 15 q/ha. Seed Production in Hybrid Jowar and Bajara Special techniques related to commercial seed production of hybrids. Terminology Used: 1) Cytoplasmic Genetic Male Sterility: Male sterility due to interaction between cytoplasmic factors and nuclear factors is termed as cytoplasmic genetic male sterility. Now days, this is used in Jowar, Bajara, Maize, Cotton and Rice crops. 2) Male Sterile Line (A line): It is the female parent of the hybrid which does not produce functional (fertile) pollens. It is designated as A line or M.S. line, E.g 2077A, 296A,CK-60A, AKMS14A, 27A. 3) Male Fertile Line (B line): It is the isogenic line of male sterile line with only one difference that it produces functional (Fertilized) pollens. It is designated as a b line or maintainer line E. g 2077B, 296 B, CK-60B. 4) Restorer line (R line): It is the male parent of hybrid and when it is crossed with male sterile line it restore fertility in the resulting hybrid. It is designated as R line E.g IS84, CS-3541, AKR150, RS-29, RS-585, C43. 5) Pollen Shedders: These are the plants of B line present in the A line in hybrid seed production. 6) Synchronization: It is simultaneous flowering of male and female parents in seed production is known as synchronization. It is essential for commercial large scale production of hybrids in different crops. 7) Nicking: The synchrony in flowering of male and female parent is termed as nicking. 8) Planting Ratio: It refers to the optimum number of female parent rows to the number of row in male parent in hybrid seed production plot for cent percent seed setting in female / seed parent in crossing block. It depends upon nature of pollination, pollen viability, and stigma respectively, wind velocity, height of male parent in crossing block. 9) Border Rows: In hybrid seed production plot, minimum male parent rows, are grown ground the seed plot in order to supply continuous ample pollens to seed parent and also to avoid natural cross pollination and mechanical mixture etc these rows are termed on border rows. Stages of Seed Production in Sorghum and Bajara Hybrids: Sr.No Stage Parents Involved 1 Breeder Multiplication A line, B line, A X B programme for of 'A1' A line, B line, R line B X B Programme for multiplication of B line and R X R programme for 2 Foundation multiplication of R line. A X R lines (hybrids) A X R programme for 3 Certified Multiplication multiplication. Notified Jowar hybrids and their parents of Hybrid ( F1) which is harvested from A line, Jowar: Sr.No Jowar Hybrid Female Parent ( A line) Male Parent ( R line) 1 CSH-1 CK-60A IS-84 2 CSH-5 2077 A CS-3541 3 CSH-6 2219 A CS-3541 4 CSH-8R 36A PD-3-1-11 5 CSH-9 296A CS-3541 6 CSH-10 296A SB_1085 7 CSH-11 296A MR-750 8 SPH-201 296A PVR-10 9 CSH-12R 296A M 148 -138 10 CSH-12R 296A Rs 29 11 CSH-14 AKMS-14A AKR150 12 CSH-15 R 104 A Rs-585 13 CSH-16 27A C43 Bajara: Sr.No Hybrid Female Parent ( A line) Male Parent ( R line) 1 Shradha RHRB 1 A RHRBI138 2 Saburi RHRB-5A RHRBI-458 3 MH-179 821-A ICP-451 4 MH-169 841-A D-23 5 MH-143 841-A ICMP-243 6 MH-208 81-A H-90/4-5 Selection of Land: The land selected for seed production of Jowar/ Bajara hybrids should have medium to deep and well drained soils. The land should be more or less uniformity leveled. The land selected for hybrid/Bajara/Jawar seed production should not have preveious crop of Jawar / Bajara. In case, Jowar/ Bajara. In case, Jowar, Bajara crop is taken during preveious season or year, the land should be irrigated at least 3 weeks before sowing of seed plot and germination Jowar/Bajara seeds should be removed by harrowing. Isolation: Isolation distance prescribed for foundation and certified by Jawar, hybrid Bajara seed production is as detailed below: Isolation Distance for Isolation Distance for Category Jawar (m) Bajara (m) 1. Fields of other varieties and Foundation-300, Certified- Foundation-1000, Certified- hybrids 200 200 2. Fields of same varieties or hybrids not confirming the Foundation-300, Certified- Foundation-1000, Certified- varietal purity requirement. 200 200 Foundation-400, Certified- 3. From forage sorghum 200 - 4. From grassy sorghums and Johnson grass ( Sorghum Foundation-400, Certified- halepense) 400 - No Jowar plants or Johnson grass plants be allowed to grow within isolation distance on all sides of the seed plot. Seasons: As Jawar crop is well adopted to Kharif, Rabi and Summer season, the hybrid seed production can be taken during any season. However on the basis of past experience , the hybrid seed production should be taken during Kharif season and it should be avoided during rabi and summer seasons because- 1. Climate condition viz. Temperature, relative humidity, in Kharif season are congenial for pollination and good seed setting. 2. Some of the parents of Jawar hybrid are thermosesitive i.e R lines like CS-3541 fail to dehisce pollens during winter at low temperature. During summer seasons, pollens desiccate rapidly at high temperature and loose their viability. Similarly receptivity of stigma in some female parents is badly affected due to low temperatures. This causes very poor seed setting. 3. Growth of either male or female parent of hybrids is slower as compared to other parent as a result of which there is a problem of nicking which thereby results in poor seed setting. Certified Seed Production of Hybrid Jowar and Bajara (AXR Line) Production Technology: 1. Preparatory Tillage: Ploughing, clod crushing, 2 to 3 harrowing and collection of stubbles. 2. Source of Seed: Certified / Foundation seed of A line and R line. 3. Seed Rate: Jowar: a) Male Parent- 5 kg/ha (R line) b) Female – 7.5 kg/ha (A line) Bajara: a) Male Parent: 0.75 kg/ha b) Female Parent: 1.50 kg/ha. 4. Spacing: 45 cm between rows and 15 cm between plants. Sowing by dibbling 3 to 4 seeds per hill. In case of Bajara 90 cm X 22.5 cm row and plant to plant distance. 5. Seasons and Sowing Period: Kharif seasons, Sowing should be completed immediately after commencement of monsoon season and should not be delayed beyond 10th July. Delay in sowing of seed plot favours heavy attack by shoot fly which affects crop growth resulting in delay in harvesting and in low seed yields. Sowing of seed plot should be adjusted in such a manner that the seed crop should not be caught in late rains before harvesting. 6) Planting Ratio: As the planting of hybrids jowar seed plot involve planting of both male and female parents, it is necessary to sow them in separate lines. This facilitates harvesting of male parent and seed parent separately. When sowing of Jawar hybrid seed plot is started, four rows on all borders of the seed plot are sown with seed of male parent. This ensures adequate supply of pollens for pollination. The remaining area of seed plot is sown with male and female parents in alternate and separate lines in the ratio of 4 female lines: 2 male lines. At both ends of every male line 3 to 4 seeds of sannhemp or Dhaincha are dibbled which helps in distinguishing male lines from female lines. 7) Synchronization of Flowering: The male and female parents of the Jowar hybrid are heterogenic and usually have different flowering period. It is necessary to adjust sowing of male and female parents is such away that both parents come to flowering at the same time i.e Synchronization of flowering. On the basis of experience schedule of staggered sowing of both parents of different hybrid in kharif season is as under. Sr.No Hybrid Kharif Season Sow all the male and female lines at the 1 CSH-1 same time a) Sow all female lines ,b) Sow half of male lines after 3 to 4 days and remaining half 2 CSH-5 after 5 to 7 days. a) Sow all Male lines, b) Sow half of female lines after 5 to 7 days and remaining half 3 CSH-6 after 10 to 14 days. a) Sow all female lines, b) Sow all male lines 4 CSH-8 after 3 to 4 days. a) Sow all female lines; b) Sow all male lines 5 CSH-9,CSH-11 after 4 to 6 days. Even if staggered sowing of male and female parents is carried, sometimes , both parents do not come to flowering same time due to unfavourable weather. For this, when seed crop is about 30 days old, some plants from male and female rows be randomly examined for floral primordial initiation. In case, one parent has not started floral primordial initiation or has slow in growth and will take more days to flowering. In order to boost up the growth of slow parent, urea is given to that parent either by 50 kg/ha or by giving foliar followed with light irrigation to the slow growing parent if required. 8) Fertilizer and Manures: a) 25 to 30 C.L of FYM or Compost before last harrowing. Time of Application Jawar (Fertilizers (kg/ha) Bajara Fertilizers ( Kg/ha) At sowing N:P:K-40:60:60 N:P:K-30:30:30 50 days after sowing N:P:K-40:0:0 N:P:K-30:0:0 Total N:P:K-80:60:60 N:P:K-60:30:30 9) Post Tillage: a) Thinning 10 to 15 days after sowing. One seedling is retained at each hill. b) 2 to 3 hoeing and 2 to 3 weedings. c) Removal of late tillers which will not mature along with main ear heads. 10) Irrigation: During kharif seasons one or two protective irrigations be given if dry spell prolongs particularly during floral initiation and flowering period. During rabi season, the seed crop be irrigated at an interval of 15 to 20 days. Roguing: Roguing should be initiated before seed crop comes in flowering and should be continued every day vigour sally during flowering period. During roguing, volunteer Jawar plants from isolation distance on all sides, pollen shedders in female rows, off types in both male and female lines, plants whose ear heads are affected by grain smut, other crop plants, tall weed plants, should be removed by cutting at ground level before they flower. Plant Protection: a) Major pests: Shoot fly b) Major Disease: Grain smut, grain mould and D.M and ergot in case of hybrid Bajara. It any other pests or a disease is noticed, they should be timely controlled by following recommended plant protection schedule. Harvesting, Threshing and Drying: The seed plot is harvested only after permission is accorded by seed certification officer. Whenever majority of leaves become yellow, the crop is ready for harvesting. In the presence of seed certification officer male lines are harvested first and threshed separately. Harvesting of female lines is carried thereafter. Ear heads are cut and placed in small heaps in the field for drying for 2 to 3 days. Then the ear heads are brought to threshing yard and spread in thin layers for sun drying for another 4 to 5 days. The ear heads are threshed and clean unprocessed raw seed is filled in gunny bags in the presence of seed certification officer who seals the seed gunny bags. Sealed bags containing seed should be taken to seed processing plant for processing. Seed Processing: Seed processing of hybrid Jawar consist of following steps: a) Pre-drying if needed b) Pre-cleaning and grading c) Seed treatment d) Bagging, tagging and sealing. Seed Yield: 1) Hybrid Jawar- 8 to 15 q/ha depending on season and hybrid. 2) Hybrid Bajara – 6 to 8 q/ha depending on season and hybrid. Seed Certification Standards: 1. Field inspections: Minimum 4 1st before flowering IInd , IIIrd – during flowering IV th- prior to or during harvest. Foundation and Certified Seed Production in Tomato (Varieties, Hybrids) Notified Varieties of Tomato: 1) Pusa Rabi 2) Dhanshri 3) Bhagyshri i) Land Requirement: The land selected for tomato seed production should be fertile, well drained and having good texture. It should be free from volunteer plants. The PH of soil should be between 6 to 7. ii) Sowing: The breeder / foundation seed should be obtained from approved source by seed certification agency. Seeds should be sown on raised beds in nursery in rows 3 to 4 cms apart. The size of raised bed should be 2 to 3 meter long. 1 to 1.25 meter wide with 15 to 20 cms height. The tomato, seedlings raised on such 25 beds will be sufficient for an area of one hectare. iii) Seed Rate: 500 gm/ha. iv) Transplanting: The seedlings with 7.5 to 10.0 cms height are selected and transplanted in the field preferably during evening and given irrigation immediately. v) Spacing: 1) Winter crop 75 X 60 cm 2) Spring, summer crop 75X 40 cm. vi) Roguing: Plants with off types foliage should be removed before they start flowering in order to reduce the possibility of cross pollination, similarly, diseased plants affected by early blight, leaf spot and mosaic should be removed as and when noticed. vii) Harvesting and Extraction of Seed: The ripe fruits of proper size are harvested/ picked. The seeds can be separated from pulp by following methods. i) Juice and seed extraction. ii) Ordinary seed extraction. iii) Separation by fermentation. viii) Washing: After extraction, seeds are washed with water to remove the pulp etc. until they are clean. ix) Drying: After washing seeds are dried immediately. Seeds may be spread on screen bottom trays or cloth and placed in open where maximum exposure to sun and dry air is attained. The moisture level should be 8 % before storing. x) Seed Yield: The average yield is about 100 to 120 kg/ha. Hybrid seed production.: There are number of hybrid combination which give good yields. For hybrid seed production hand pollination carried out with or without emasculation. Where emasculation is used bunds are first emasculated and then enclosed in butter paper bags, fastened with pins or threads the day before flowering. Flowers are hand-pollinated with camel hair brush, then flowers are rebagged, four or five days later, the bags are removed where fertilizable is assured. The time taken for hand pollinating each flower is about fifty to sixty seconds. In hybrid seed production of tomato foundation class seed shall consist of an approved male sterile line to be used as female parent and an approved parental line to be used as a male parent for the purpose of producing hybrid seed. Certified class seed shall be the hybrid seed to be planted for any use except seed product. Foundation and Certified Seed Production in Onion Notified Varieties of Onion: N-2-4-1, N-53, B-780, AFLR,AFDR. i) Climate: It is biennial crop and takes two full seasons for producing seeds. Bulbs are formed during first year. While flower and fruiting take place during second- year. It requires cool climate during early development of bulbs and also during early growth of the head stalk ( Flowering). Blotting takes place between 10 to 15 0C. During early stage, temperature should be cool with good moisture supply. Seed production is undertaken in temperate and subtropical region. ii) Land: Select the field for onion seed production in which the onion crop was not taken in the preveious year. Soil should be rich in organic matter with good water holding capacity. iii) Isolation: It is highly cross pollinated crop with 93 % cross pollination brought by honey bees. Field should be isolated by 1000 meters. For foundation and 400 meters for certified seed production plot from other fields. iv) Methods of Seed Production: There are two methods as below a) Seed-to Seed. In this method first season bulb crop is kept in the fields up to winter so as to produce seed in the next season. b) Bulb-to –Seed method. Bulbs produced in the preveious season are selected , stored and replanted in next year for production of seed. It is most common method. v) Sowing: The seeds from approved source is produced and sown at the rate of 8 to 10 kg/ha in the nursery for raising seedlings. Sowing is done in the month of October or November. Seedlings of 8 to 10 weeks old are ready for transplanting. Such seedlings are transplanted in small beds 10-15 cms apart. vi) Harvesting: Well matured bulbs should be harvested when tops are druped and leaves are still green. After harvesting , bulbs should be thoroughly selected for curing. The time required for curing. The time required for curing depends on weather condition i.e 3 to 4 weeks. vii) Storage: Well matured , dried and cured bulbs are taken for storage. Such bulbs are stored in well ventilated storage. The shallow trays with performed bottoms are used. The temperature range should 0 to 5 0 C for 3 to 4 weeks prior to planting and may be increased upto 10 0C thereafter. Seed Production ( Bulb-to Seed) : i) Sowing: The bulbs of proper size (2.5 to 3.0 cm dia) are selected for planting. About 15 quinatal of bulb are required for one hectare and planting is done in second fortnight of October. The selected bulbs are planted at a distance of 45 to 30 cms with 8 to 10 cm depth. The sprouted bulbs are directly used for planting while upper portion of unsprouted bulbs is cut and disc like portion is used for planting. ii) Roguing: Off types plants having different foliage colour, late maturing bulbs etc are removed during first year and at the time of harvest also, bulbs having different colour, neck thickness and doubleness are rejected. During second year, the plants differing and not conforming to varietal characters are removed. iii) Harvesting: First formed seeds in the head get blacked harvesting is done. Two to three picking are necessary to harvest the heads at right stage, heads are cut by keeping small stalks and after proper drying, threshing is done with sticks. Seeds are cleaned by dipping in water for 5 to 10 minutes followed by sun drying. iv) Yield: The average yield of 850 to 1000 kg/ha is obtained from good crop. Cultivation Practices of Seed Production of Often Cross Namely Cotton and Jawar Particulars of Cultivation Crop Cotton (High Yielding Sr.No Practices Varieties) Crop Cotton Hybrid 1 Selection of land Free from Wilt Free from Wilt June ( Rainfed), Second June ( Rainfed), Second fortnight of May and June ( fortnight of May and June ( 2 Sowing Time Irrigated) Irrigated) 3 Sowing Method Drilling Dibbling Deshi 45 X22.5 , American Female 150 X 120 Male 90 X 4 Spacing (cm) 60X 30 60 Planting ratio- on Area basis 3/4 : 1/4 or 5 Female : Male - 1/5:4/5 Deshi-10-12 , American -8 to 6 Seed rate (kg/ha) 10 Female -3.75, Male-2.75 Fertilizers doses 100:50:50 plus two foliar 100:50:50 plus two foliar (NPK kg/ha) with sprays of Urea /DAP (15-20 sprays of Urea /DAP (15-20 splitting of N except gms/lit. i.e 2% during boll gms/lit. i.e 2% during boll 7 tur crop. formation. formation. F-50, C-30 ( 5 mtrs between F-50, C-30 ( 5 mtrs between Isolation Distance parents of hybrids and field of parents of hybrids and field of 8 (mtrs) other varieties. other varieties. 9 Field Inspection 2 4 10 Off Types(%) F-0.10,C-0.20 F-0.10,C-0.50 Pollen shedders (%) When ms line s 11 used - F-0.05,C-0.10 Objectionable 12 Weeds(%) Ranbhendi, Holley hock. Ranbhendi, Holley hock. Objectionable 13 Disease (%) - - Seed cotton Deshi , seed Seed cotton Deshi , seed cotton - 8 to 10 American 2 cotton - 8 to 10 American 2 14 Seed Yield ( Q/ha) top 3 ,10 to 12 top 3 ,10 to 12 After Harvest Seed 15 Moisture (%) 10 10 Germination (% ) 16 minimum 65 65 17 Seed Borne Disease - - 18 Other Disease Fusarium wilt, Antrac nose Fusarium wilt, Antrac nose Boll worms ( Pink, American Boll worms ( Pink, American and sported jassids and and sported jassids and 19 Major Pests aphids, trips) aphids, trips) Deshi-Y1,Savatra, American Deshi-Y1,Savatra, American ,LRA5166, JLH168 ,LRA5166, JLH168 ,Rajat,AKA5,AKA-4. ,Rajat,AKA5,AKA-4. Hybrids: Hybrids: HXH,H6,H10,NHH44,PKV HXH,H6,H10,NHH44,PKV Improved Varieties hy4, HXB- NHB12, HXA - hy4, HXB- NHB12, HXA - 20 and Hybrids DH9. DH9. Note:Minimum pure seed ( 98%) and maximum inert matter (2%) is recommended as physical purity standards for all above crops. Abbreviations used HYV- High yielding Varieties , HYB-High Yielding hybrids, F and C- Foundation and certified stage of seed production , K- kharif , R-Rabi, H-G hirsutum B-G barbadense H‟G Herbaceum, A-G arboretum. Cultivation Practices of Seed Production for Vegetables Namely Tomato, Okra, Onion and Potato Particulars of Cultivation Sr.No Practices Tomato Okra(Bhendi) Potato June /July (k), July (K) September 1 Sowing Time September/October ,January - 2 Sowing method Transplanting Hand Dibbling Transplanting 90X 30 ( K) , 60 X 60 60 X 30 (K), 45X 3 Spacing( cm) (S) 30 (R and S) 30 X 20 0.5 kg on 20 raised beds of 2.00 X 1.25 8-10 kg (K) , 10- 8-10 kgs on raised 4 Seed rate (kg/ha) mts) 15 kgs (S) beds 50:50:50 during 50:50:50 during sowing 50:0:0 - Fertilizers doses sowing 50:0:0 -one one month after 00:160:80:before 5 (N.P.K kg/ha) month after sowing sowing sowing. 6 Isolation (mts) F-50, C-25 F-400, C-200 F and C-5 7 Field Inspection 3 3 2 8 Off Type(%) F-0.10,C-0.20 - - F-0.10, C-0.50,Early Objectionable blight, lef spot, tobacco Yellow vein 9 disease(%) mosaic, virus. mosaic Seed Moisture 10 (%) 8 - - 11 Pure Seed (%) 98 99 98 12 Insert Matter (%) 2 1 2 13 Germination (%) 70 65 70 Seed Yield ( 14 Q/ha) 1 to 1.2 10 15-20 Q/ha of bulbs Pusa Savani, Red Coloured: B Improved Parbhani Kranti, coloured, Phule 15 Varieties Pusa Rabi, Marglob Hissar Unnat coloured : Phule. Abbreviation Used: K-Kharif Season, R-Rabi Season, S-Summer season, F-Foundation stage, C-certified stage. HYV- High yielding Varieties HYB- High Yielding Hybrids. Seed Certification Procedure Good quality seeds refer to seeds having optimum genetic and physical purity , high germination procedure percentage and seed with optimum moisture content. It also includes seeds free from noxious weed seed and other crop seeds and free from seed borne diseases. To meet these criteria there is a need of certification. Seed Certification: Seed certification is a legally sectioned system for quality control of seed during seed multiplication and production. Seed certification is a scientific and systematically designed process to secure, maintain, multiply and make available seeds of notified and released varieties to the farmers. Object of Seed Certification: 1) To ensure genetical identity of a variety. 2) To ensure high degree of physical purity. 3) To ensure high degree of germinability. 4) To ensure freedom from all designation seed borne disease, weeds and other crop seeds. According to statutory rules and regulation of seed act (1966), autonomous government organization such as state seed certification Agency is established. Procedures for registration, field inspection, seed processing, release sampling, seed testing , issue of seed certification tags and seals and release of seed lots are established. Phases of Seed Certification: 1) Receipt and security of application with notarized agreement for registration of seed plot for certification. 2) Verification of seed source, class used for raising the crop by checking certification tags,

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