SEED

 A mature ovule consisting of an embryonic plant

together with a store of food, all surrounded by a
protective coat. In seed production, seed stands for
any of the following classes of seed used for
sowing or planting.
(i) Seeds of food crops including edible oilseeds and
seeds of fruits and vegetables,
(ii) Cotton seeds
(iii) Seeds of cattle fodder,
(iv) Jute seeds and include seedlings, tubers, bulbs,
rhizomes, roots, cuttings, all types of grafts and
other vegetatively propogated material of food
crops or cattle fodder.
 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SEED AND GRAIN
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.

6 Comes under preview of seed acts. Comes under preview of food acts.

It is the result of well planned It is the part of commercial produce,

7
programme. saved for sowing/planting purposes.
8 It is the result of sound scientific No such knowledge or effort is
knowledge, organized effort, required.
investment on processing, storage
and marketing facilities.
 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SEED AND GRAIN
Sr. No. Seed Grain
9 The pedigree of the seed is ensured. It Its varietal purity is
can be related to the initial breeders unknown.
seed.
10 During production effort is made to No such effort is made.
rogue out off types, diseased plants, Hence, the purity and health
objectionable weeds and other crop status may be inferior.
plants at appropriate stages of crop
growth which ensures satisfactory seed
purity and health.

11 The seed is scientifically processed, The grain used as seed may

treated and packed and labelled with be manually cleaned,. In
proper lot identity. some cases, prior to sowing
it may also be treated. This is
not labelled.

12 The seed is tested for planting quality Routine seed testing is not
viz, germination, purity admixture of done.
weed seeds and other crop seeds, seed
health and seed moisture content.
 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SEED AND GRAIN
Sr. No. Seed Grain
13 The seed quality is usually There is no quality
supervised by an agency not control.
related with production (Seed
Certification Agency).
14 The seed has to essentially meet No such standards apply
the “Quality Standards”. The here.
quality is therefore well known.
15 The labels/certification tags on The quality is non-
the seed containers serves as descript and not known.
quality marks.
 SCOPE OF SEED TECHNOLOGY
 India is a vast country and bestowed with varied soils and has got different
agro climatic zones, enabling year round cultivation of crops. By and large,
most seed crops are grown during Kharif season. However most of the
vegetable crops are produced in Rabi season and they posses better quality
seeds than the crop grown in kharif. Indian farmers can practice with
multiple cropping systems.
 The farmers can opt for different crops like cereals, pulses oil seeds,
vegetables, fibre crops, etc., in all the three seasons viz., Kharif, Rabi and
summer.
 With the advancement of agriculture, the government of India felt that there
is a need to establish Seed Technology department in Agricultural
Universities and ICAR institutes in India after the recommendations and
suggestions given by National Commission on Agriculture. Accordingly,
the Seed technology department was initiated throughout the country with
the following main objectives.
1. To teach seed technology course.
2. Research on seed production/processing/testing.
3. To strengthen the seed technology research.
4. To give training to those who are involved in seed production,
processing, testing, etc.
 STATUS OF SEED TECHNOLOGY
 Status
India is considered as a developed country as for as the seed
sector is concerned. By volume of seed we produce and
distribute, we surpass many (western) nations in this trade. The
Indian seed industry at present consists of two national
organizations (NSC and SFCI), 12 state seed corporation about
150 large size private seed companies, 19 state seed certification
agencies and 86 notified seed testing labs.
 Area under seed production: India
The estimated requirement by 2010 is 126.55 lakh quintals. The
quantity of buffer stock under seed security programmes in India
has been fixed as follows (Singh, 1990).
Certified - Self pollinated crops 5 per cent
- Hybrids 10 per cent
- Foundation seed 25 per cent
- Breeder seed 50 per cent
 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 seed 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.
 SEED TECHNOLOGY
 Cowan, 1973: Defined Seed Technology as that “discipline
of studies having to do with seed production, maintenance,
quality and preservation”.
 Feistritzer, 1975: Seed technology as “the methods through
which the genetic and physical characteristics of seeds could
be improved. It involves such activities as variety
development, evaluation and release, seed production,
processing, storage and certification”
 Seed technology includes the development of superior crop
plant varieties, their evaluation and release, seed production,
processing, seed storage, seed testing, seed quality control,
seed certification, seed marketing, distribution and research
on seed physiology, seed production and seed handling
based on modern botanical and agricultural sciences.
 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.
 ROLE OF SEED
TECHNOLOGY
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 jowar 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 re sowing in disaster region (Normally
which is not available with farmer in time).
 GOALS OF SEED TECHNOLOGY
The major role of seed technology is to increase agriculture production
through the spread of good quality seed of high yielding varieties.
1. Rapid Multiplication:
Increase in agricultural production through quickest spread of new
varieties developed (released) by the plant breeders.
2. Timely supply:
The improved seeds of new varieties must be made available well in
time, so that the planting schedule (or sowing time) of farmer is not
disturbed and they are able to use good seed for planting (sowing)
purpose.
3. Assured high quality of seeds:
Necessary to obtain the expected dividends from the use of seeds of
improved varieties.
4. Reasonable price:
The cost of high quality seed should be within reach of the average
farmer.
 RELATIONSHIP OF SEED TECHNOLOGY TO THE
OTHER SCIENCES
 Genetics & Plant breeding: The plant breeders and geneticists evolve new
crop varieties which are high yielding and superior in resistance to diseases
and pests as compared to existing varieties. They are also associated with the
maintenance of nucleus and breeders seed grow out tests etc.
 Agronomy: The agronomists provide suitable package of practices for
growing, harvesting and handling of seed crops in order to obtain maximum
seed yields and best possible seed quality.
 Horticulture: The horticulturists provide suitable package of practices for
growing, harvesting and handling vegetable, flower and other horticultural
crops to ensure maximum seed yields and best possible seed quality.
 Plant Pathology: The role of plant pathologists in seed production has
greatly increased in recent years owing to increased consciousness to
produce and distribute disease free seed. The plant pathologists provide the
package in regard to seed treatment, plant protection measures and
prophylactic measures that should be adopted in seed crops to ensure
maximum possible control of diseases carried by/and or through the seed.
They are also involved in the development of seed health testing techniques,
including testing of seed samples for detection of seed borne diseases,
besides plant quarantine.
 RELATIONSHIP OF SEED TECHNOLOGY TO THE
OTHER SCIENCES
 Entomology: Like plant pathologist, the entomologists provide package in
regard to pest control during crop production and seed storage etc. to ensure
good seed quality and minimum losses during storage. They are also
involved in the development of seed health testing techniques, including
testing of seed samples for the detection and determination of insect
infestation in seed samples, besides plant quarantine.
 Taxonomy: The taxonomists provide the information necessary for
identification of various crop and weed seeds and cataloguing of germplasm,
varieties etc.
 Plant/Seed Physiology: The physiologists help in understanding/diagnosing
various planting seed quality problems, seed development and maturation,
seed storage problems and provide deep insight and solutions to these
problems. They are also associated with the development of seed
germination, seed vigour and seed viability testing techniques.
 Agricultural Economics: The agricultural economists provide the necessary
guidance in relation to seed marketing problems and thus help in devising a
suitable marketing and distribution system. They should be associated with
the management aspects and in the determination of cost/benefit ratio, seed
price fixation etc.
RELATIONSH IP OF SEED TECHNOLOGY TO THE
OTHER SCIENCES

 Agricultural Engineering: The agricultural

engineers are associated with the development of
technology to manufacture indigenously the
suitable seed planting, harvesting machinery for
seed crops and also the seed drying, seed
processing machinery, seed handling and seed
testing equipment.
 Agricultural Extension: The extension agencies
are involved in popularising the use of high quality
seeds of high yielding varieties amongst the
farming community.
 SEED QUALITY
 Is a relative term and means the degree of excellence when
compared to an acceptable standard. The seeds meeting required
standards of purity, germination and other attributes are referred
to as quality seeds. Seed quality characteristics are as followed:
 Improved variety: Latest and best variety suited to the area in
regard to production potential and other desirable
characteristics.
 Genetic purity: Trueness to type. All genetic qualities that
breeder has placed in the variety.
 Physical purity: Physical composition of seed lots. Seed lot
composed of pure seeds.
 Seed germination and vigour: Seed germination refers to the
ability of a seed when planted under normal sowing conditions
to give rise to a normal seedling. The seed vigour refers to the
sum total of all the attributes that gives effective plant stand in
the field.
 SEED QUALITY
 Planting value: The real worth of a seed lot for raising the crop. It is
determined by calculating pure live seed percentage as follows:
Pure live seed = Pure seed% x Germination% x 100
(P.L.S.) 100 100
 Freedom from weeds and other crop seeds:
 Seed health: The health of seed refers to the presence or absence of
disease organisms/insect pests on seeds. The quality of a seed lot very
much depends on its health.
 Seed moisture: The seed moisture is the most critical factor in the
maintenance of seed germination and viability during storage. The seed
must be dried to safe moisture content.
 Other characteristics:
a) Seed size weight and specific gravity: The seed size, weight and its
specific gravity has been found to have positive correlation with seed
germination and vigour in many crops.
b) Seed colour: The colour of seeds often reflects the conditions during
seed maturation. Good normal colour and shine have been regarded as
invaluable quality guide by the farmers.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD SEEDS
 High genetic purity
 High germination percentage
 Higher vigour that give effective plant stand in the field
 High physical purity i.e. it should be free from other crop seeds
and weed seeds.
 Sound seed health : free from insect, pests and organism that
causes disease, free from seed borne disease
 Wider adaptability : It can be grown and perform better under
wide environmental and soil conditions.
 Always possess high yielding ability.
 Quality for special characters : should maintain its superiority for
the characters/traits for which bred.
 Responsive to fertilizers and other inputs to give higher yield.
 Possess uniform seed size, weight, seed colour and specific
gravity.