Seed production and certification

 Seed is a fertilized, fully matured ovule consisting an embryo, endosperm and a seed coat and is usually meant for sexual reproduction.

                      Every farmer have the right to get quality seeds and also certified seeds. Seed plays an important role in agriculture as every crop starts from seed and ends on seed. So, quality of seed that a farmer gets must be good enough. Good seed plays major role in enhancing quantity and quality of agricultural produce and thus improving economy of a country.

Seed production

                 Production of seeds follow a well-designed seed program. Purity of variety of the seed is clearly identified from its breeder seed and it is genetically pure. During seed production process, quality standards, like removal of off-types, diseased plants, weed plants and other crop plants are carried out. Seeds which have physical purity and good germination are chosen. Drying of seeds is done in a controlled condition. Scientifically seed production process follow processing, treatment, packaging, certification and labelling procedures. During the process, seed storage, viability and vigour of seed are maintained. Seeds produced are certified and labelled properly. Grains cannot be used as seeds. 

Qualities of good seeds

1). Seed must be true to its type i.e. genetically pure, free from admixtures and should belong to the proper variety or strain of the crop and their duration should be according to agro climate and cropping system of the locality.

2). Seed should be pure, viable, vigorous and have high yielding potential.

3). Seed should be free from seed borne diseases and pest infection.

4). Seed should be clean i.e. free from weed seeds are are any invert materials

5). Seed should be in whole and not broken or damaged, crushed or peeled off; half filled and half rotten.

6). Seed should meet the prescribed uniform size and weight.

7). Seed should be as fresh as possible or of the proper age.

8). Seed should contain optimum amount of moisture (8-12%).

9). Seed should have high germination percentage (more than 80%).

10). Seed should germinate rapidly and uniformly when sown.

Advantages of good seed

1). It reduces cost of cleaning standardization and disinfection.

2). It usually have uniform germination, thus avoiding replanting, gap filling.

3). Seedling shows vigorous growth and it reduces weed, diseases and damages.

4). Uniform growth stages, maturity and products.

5). Maintain good quality under storage conditions.

6). Good seed reduces cost of cultivation.

Seed certification

Certification of seeds is done by following process.

                    At first seeds are classified under different classes. There are four main classes of seeds which are defined by association of official seed certification agency. They are

1. Nucleus seeds

2. Breeder seeds

3. Foundation seeds

4. Certified seeds

1. Nucleus seeds

Nucleus seeds are the basic seed class for seed production. These seeds are maintained by breeder for further multiplication. These are produced under the supervision of the concerned plant breeder. These are produced based on various crop multiplication techniques and methods. Nucleus seeds are 100% genetically pure seeds.

2. Breeder seeds

Breeder seeds are produced using nucleus seeds in the research institutes, universities under  supervisionof a breeder. Entire production process will be monitored by scientists and officers of the seed certification department and by representatives of the national seed corporation. The genetic purity of breeder seeds is 100% and the tag provided for breeder seed is golden yellow in colour.

3. Foundation seeds

The foundation seeds are produced from the breeder seeds. These are produced at Government farms or by private state producers. Its production can also be taken up by farmers by getting suitable breeder seeds. Genetic purity of the foundation seeds are 99.5%. It's certification tag is white in colour

4. Certified seeds

Certified seeds are produced from foundation seeds. Production of certified seeds is taken up by national and state corporation of seed, private seed companies and also by farmers. The certified seed should possesses uniformity and purity as defined by department of seed certification. Genetic purity of the certified seeds is 99%. Its certification tag is provided in blue colour.

Procedures of seed certification

Seed certification department is a legally authorised body to manage the production, monitoring and multiplication of quality seeds(Seed Act 1966). According to seed act 1966, seed certification is voluntary. Seeds which are certified by the seed certification authority are called certified seeds. These seeds passes through both the field and seed standards as specified by certification authority. Seed standards are specified and uniform throughout the country, whereas the seed certification procedures and fees vary from one state to another state.

Aim of seed certification authorities

Production of high quality seeds of the crop varieties that are notified by central and state governments and make them available to farmers is the main aim of the seed certification authorities.

Steps involved in seed certification

1. Application for seed production.

2. Registration of sowing report.

3. Field inspection by authorities

4. Seed processing.

5. Seed sample and Seed analysis.

6. Tagging and sealing.