SEED TECHNOLOGY

DEFINITION:
“seed technology comprises techniques of seed production, seed processing, seed storage,
seed testing and certification, seed marketing and distribution and the related research on
these aspects”.

Concept of seed technology

The distinction between seed and grain is vital, being of seminal importance to agriculture. A
seed, strictly speaking, is an “embryo” a living organism embedded in the supporting or the
food storage tissue. The seed pertains to material (seed, fruit or vegetatively propagating
material) meant for saving for planting purposes, the essential function being the
reproduction. The seed when scientifically produced (such as under seed certification) is
distinctly superior in terms of seed quality, namely, the improved variety, varietal purity,
freedom from admixtures of weeds and other crop seeds, seed health, high germination and
vigour, seed treatment and safe moisture content etc. A grain on the other hand, includes
cereals and pulses meant for human consumption.

Seed Quality – Classes of Seed Objective: Multiplication of quality seed under vigilant
supervision of breeder of seed certification agency to distribute quality seed of notified
varieties for sowing purpose. Seed of notified varieties are multiplied in four tier system by
the involvement of ICAR Institutes / State Agricultural Universities, State / National Seed
Corporation and Seed Certification Agencies.
1. Nucleus seed: Nucleus seed: This is cent per cent genetic pure seed with physical purity
produced under the direct supervision of the concerned plant breeder.
2. Breeder’s seed: This is the progeny of the nucleus seed multiplied in large area under the
supervision of plant breeder and monitored by a committee. It provides cent per cent physical
and genetic pure seed for production of foundation class. Golden yellow coloured certificate
is issued for this category by the producting agency.
3. Foundation seed: Progeny of breeder’s seed in handled by recognized seed producing
agencies in public and private sector under the supervision of Seed Certification Agency in
such a way that its quality is maintained according to the prescribed standard. Seed
Certification agency issues a white colour certification for foundation class seed. Foundation
seed is purchased by Seed Corporation from seed growers. Foundation seed can again be
multiplied by Seed Corporation in the events of its shortage with similar seed certification
standard.
4. Certified seed: Progeny of foundation seed produced by registered seed growers under the
supervision of Seed Certification Agency by maintaining the seed quality as per minimum
seed certification standards. Seed Certification Agency issues a bleucolour (Shade ISI No.
104, azure blue) certificate.
5. Nucleus seed: is the handful of original seed obtained from selected individual plants of a
particular variety for maintenance and purification by the originating breeder. It is further
multiplied and maintained under the supervision of qualified plant breeder to provide breeder
seed. This forms the basis for all further seed production. It has the highest genetic purity and
physical purity.
SEED TESTING
Seed testing is required to assess the seed quality attributes of the seed-lots which have to be
offered for sale. These quality attributes are seed moisture content, germination and vigour,
physical and genetic purity, freedom from seed-borne diseases and insect infestation. In
India, during seed testing, moisture, germination and physical purity of seeds are generally
determined. Standard seed-testing procedures for the evaluation of seeds have been
developed by the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) and the seed scientists from
all over the world have played a key -role in these developments. It is obligatory on the part
of the seed analysts to follow rules prescribed by the International Seed Testing Association
9ISTA, 1985) for seed testing if the seed is moving into the international trade. However, if
the sale of the seed is regulated in a country by an Act of Parliament, the testing of seeds for
quality-control purposes may be done by the rules prescribed in the country.
The science of seed testing, that is, the science of evaluating the planting value of seed has
been developed to achieve the following objectives for minimizing the risks of planting low
quality seeds: Objectives of Seed Testing
1. To determine their quality, that is, their suitability for planting
2. To identify seed quality problem and their probable cause
3. To determine the need for drying and processing and specific procedures that should be
used.
4. To determine if seed meets established quality standards or labeling specifications.
5. To establish quality and provide a basis for price and consumer discrimination among lots
in the market.
Seed health:
Seed health refers to the presence or absence of disease organisms or insect pests on the seed.
The quality of a seed lot depends on its health; hence the seed should be free from seed borne
disease and insect pests.
8. Effect of storage conditions on the activity of organisms associated with seeds in storage:
There are six main types of organisms associated with seeds in storage. They are bacteria,
fungi, mites, insects, rodents and birds.
Bacteria :
Bacteria probably do not play a significant role in seed deterioration. As germination is rarely
reduced unless infection has progressed beyond the point of decay. Since bacterial
populations require free water to grow, they cannot grow in stored seeds as the seeds are dry.
Fungi:
 Two types of fungi invade the seeds; field fungi and storage fungi. The field fungi invade
seeds during their development on plants in the field or following harvesting while the plants
are standing in the field.they cannot invade seeds during storage. Field fungi associated with
wheat or barley in the field are Alternaria, Fusarium, and Helminthosporium spp. Storage
fungi, mostly belong to the genera Aspergillus and penicillium. They infect seeds only under
storage conditions and are never present before, even in seeds of plants left standing in the
field after harvesting. Major deleterious effects of storage fungi are to decrease viability,
cause discoloration, produce mycotoxins, cause excessive heat and develop mustiness and
caking
Insects and Mites: Deterioration of seeds by insects and mites is a serious problem,
particularly in warm and humid climates. Weevils, flour beetles or borers are rarely
activebelow 8% moisture content and 18-20 oC, but are increasingly destructive as the
moisture content rises to 15% and the temperature to 30 – 35oC. Mites do not thrive below
60% RH, although they have temperature tolerance that extents close to freezing. Hence for
protecting the seeds from insects and mites the seeds should be stored at a moisture content of
less than 10%, at a temperature of less than 20oCand the R.H. of less than 60%.
Rodents and Birds:
Birds are constant source of seed loss in even small openings exists. All openings should be
sealed or screened, if needed for ventilation. Rats and other rodents are more serious
problems. Rodents may result into a complete loss of seed. Rodents can be prevented from
entering the store by elevating the floor by 90 cm above the ground level, and it should have
a lip like structure of 15 cm around the building at 90 cm level. A removable deck should be
provided at the entrance for loading and unloading of seeds into the store.
9. Other factors: Besides the above factors storage life is affected by number of times and
kind of fumigation, effect of seed treatment etc
General principles of seed storage
1. Seed storage conditions should be dry and cool
2. Effective control of storage pests
3. Proper sanitation in seed stores
4. Before placing seeds into storage they should be dried to safe moisture limits, appropriate
for storage system.
5. Store only high quality seed i.e. seeds which are well cleaned, treated, with high
germination and vigour.
6. Determine seed storage needs in view of period or length of storage time and preveling
climate of the area during storage period. Long-term storage requires more exacting
conditions of seed storage than short-term storage. Similarly, the regions with favourable
storage climate, i.e., one where relative humidity is rather low, require less sophistication
than areas of high relative humidity.
Seed Certification
Objectives:
Upon completion of this exercise the student should know about
1. The procedure for seed certification
2. Differentiate between truthfully labeled seed and certified seed
3. The history of seed certification
4. Should know the procedure to conduct field inspection in important crops Seed
certification is a legally sanctioned system for the quality control of seed during seed
multiplication and production. As per Indian Seed Act seed certification is voluntary and it is
not compulsory. The seed that is sold in the market is of two types certified seed or truthfully
labeled seed. The seed, which is being certified by seed certification agency, is called as
certified seed. The certification agency is a separate organization meant for certifying the
quality of the seed and it has nothing to do with seed production. The seed certification
agency maintains certain strict standards before issuing the certification tag or label. Where
as truthfully labeled seed is one which is being produced and marketed by the producing
company by maintaining the labeling standards. The farmer or the user of the seed does not
know the pedigree of the truthfully labeled seed and he has to relay on the seed producing
company. Where as the certified seed has to maintain both field and seed standards and if the
seed lot meets both the field and seed standards then only the certification tag or label is
issued.

Procedure for seed certification:

Seed certification is voluntary and that too for the kind and variety notified by the
government of India. It can be completed in six broad phases.
1. Receipt and scrutiny of the application.
2. Verification of seed source, class and other requirements.
3. Filed inspection should be conducted to see that fields are up to the prescribed field
standard.
4. Post harvest inspection, including processing and packing.
5. Seed sampling and testing to confirm that the seeds are up to the prescribed seed
standards.
6. Grant of certificate, tagging and sealing.
Seed Multiplication
Seed is the cheapest and basic input for sustained agricultural production. At the time of
release of a variety, small quantity of seed normally known as nucleus seed is available with
the plant breeder. Commercial quantity of seed is produced after a series of multiplication
steps. Multiplication and distribution of high quality seed of improved varieties is a crucial
step in the agricultural production of any country.