MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR SEED QUALITY

Table of Contents:

11.7.1 CROPPING HISTORY

The cropping history of field needs consideration while selecting for seed production to avoid the volunteer plants. Cropping histoiy is inspected in first field inspection of certification program. The cropping histoiy criteria for various seed crops are given in Table 11.2.

11.7.2 SEED SOURCES

The certification process needs one or more relevant evidence to verify the quality of initial seed lot at the time of application scrutiny and/or during

Crops	Land requirement criteria
Bailey variety and hybrid, rice variety and hybrid, wheat variety and hybrid	1. Preceding one season
Baira variety and hybrid, common millet, barnyard millet, finger millet, Italian millet. Kodo millet, little millet, maize open-pollinated varieties, hybrids, synthetics, composites. Sorghum variety, and hybrid	2. Land flee of volunteer plants in previous season
Black gram. Bengal gram, cowpea. green gram. French bean (Rajmash), horse gram. Kesari. lablab. lentil, moth bean, peas, red gram
Castor variety and hybrid, linseed. Niger, safflower, sesame
Soybean. Mustard. Niger. Taramira
Cotton variety and hybrid, jute
Berseem. Buffelgrass. clover, Dharaf grass, forage sorghum, guinea glass, Lucerne, marvel grass, oats, rice bean. Sudan grass, Napier grass and hybrid. Setaria grass, stylo, teosinte
Amarantlius. ash gourd, asparagus, beet, bhindi. bitter gourd variety and hybrid, bottle gourd variety and hybrid, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, carrot variety and hybrid, celery, chow-chow, cucumber variety and hybrid, chilies. fenugreek, French bean (Rajmash), garlic. Guar. Indian squash. Knol-kliol, lettuce, long melon, muskmelon variety and hybrid, onion (aggregate) variety and hybrid, onion variety and hybrid, parsley, peas, pumpkin, variety and hybrid, ridge gourd variety and hybrid, radish variety & hybrid, rattail radish, snake gourd, Snap melon, spinach, sponge gourd variety and hybrid, winter squash variety and hybrid. Yam
Groundnut	1. Preceding two seasons
Groundnut	2. Land in which crop is grown in Preceding two seasons were of same land and variety and of equivalent or higher class and are eligible for certification

TABLE 11.2 (Continued)

Crops	Land requirement criteria
Bird wood grass. Buffelgrass. Dharaf grass. Dinanatli grass, marvel grass, Setaria grass, stylo	1. Preceding five seasons
	2. (Foundation stage alone)
	3. Land must not be used for cultivation of the same crop
Sunflower variety and hybrid	1. Preceding one year-
Sunflower variety and hybrid	2. Land in which the crop is grown in preceding year- was of same kind or variety and of equivalent or higher class and eligible for certification
Potato, true potato seed	1. Land infested with diseases like wart, brown spot, and common scab must be avoided
Pointed gourd, little gourd, sweet potato, tapioca, taro	1. Land avoided if preceding crop residue is found and drainage from another field planted with same crop.
Pointed gourd, little gourd, sweet potato, tapioca, taro	2. Swampy, low lying, and over shaded areas to be avoided.

Source: Reprinted from IMSCS, 2013.

first inspection. These evidence may be certification tags, seals, labels, seed containers, purchase records, sale records, etc., from producer of certified seed.

11.7.3 ISOLATION AND INTERCROPPING
11.7.3.1 ISOLATION

The minimum isolation prescribed in IMSCS is mandatory to avoid chances of genetic contamination due to the presence of other varieties, impure same variety, diseased plants in some cases, cross-compatible crops, and plants species. The minimum isolation requirements for various crops as per classes of seeds are given in Table 11.3.

11.7.3.2 INTERCROPPING

Intercropping is seed production is, in general, not recommended. However, in certified seed production of oilseeds and pulses intercropping is allowed with the following conditions (IMSCS, 2013).

• Intercropping is applicable to certified seeds class of pulses and oilseeds. The foundation seed crop should strictly be a single crop.
• Any other types of cropping system or pattern are not permitted.
• The crops selected for intercropping should have a different genus and preferably different maturity.
• Only basic crop pertaining to oilseeds or pulses can be registered for certification and companion crop cannot be certified.
• The plating ratio of seed crop and companion crop must be uniform throughout the field.
• Certification agencies will prepare a list of crop combinations for respective states taking into account the following factors while selecting any crop combinations.
a) The companion crop should not hamper intercultural operation required for a seed crop.
b) It should not compete for nutrients and moisture or starve seed crop.
c) It should not mature simultaneously with seed crop or should not carry weed seeds that may mix with seed crop.

Distance (meters)	Crops (Fields from which seed crop must be separated are presided within brackets)
3	Cereals and Millets	Barley, millets (Common. Fingert. Italian. Kodo. Little. Barnyard), oats, rice, triticale, wheat
5	Oilseeds	Groundnut, soybean
	Pulses	Black gram. Bengal gram, cowpea. green gram, horse gram. Kesari. lablab. lentil, moth bean
	Fiber crops	Cotton hybrid (between parent plots), jute (other species)
	Vegetables	Cluster bean. French bean. (Rajmash). fenugreek, garlic, lesser yam, multiplier onion, pea. potato, sweet potato, tapioca
10	Forages	Buffel grass. Dharaf grass, Dinanatlr grass. Guinea grass, marvel grass, Napier grass
20	Forage legumes	Rice bean
20	Vegetables	Coccinia. pointed gourd
25	Oilseeds	Linseed. Mustard (self-compatible types)
	Forages	Indian clover, stylo
	Vegetables	Lettuce, tomato
30	Fiber crops	Cotton variety and hybrids, jute
50	Oilseeds	Mustard (self-compatible types). Sesame, Taramira
50	Vegetables	True potato seed
100	Cereals and millets	Barley hybrids, rice hybrids, sorghum, wheat hybrids
	Pulses	Red gram variety and hybrid
	Vegetables	Brinjal. tomato hybrids
	Cereals and millets (seed crop infected by loose smut)	Barley variety and hybrid (loose smut infection), oats (loose smut infection), wheat variety and hybrids (loose smut infection)
150	Cereals and millets	Bajra variety and hybrids, maize hybrids, composites, synthetics, sorghum hybrids

Distance (meters)	Crops (Fields from which seed crop must be separated are presided within brackets)
200	Oilseeds	Niger, safflower, sunflower
	Forages	Setaria grass
	Vegetables	Amaranthus. brinjal hybrids, bhindi, capsicum
300	Cereals and millets	Maize hybrids (different kernel color)
	Oilseeds	Castor variety and hybrids
	Vegetables	Asparagus, celery, celeriac. parsley
400	Cereals and millets	Maize inbred, maize single cross, sorghum (Johnson grass. Forage sorghum)
400	Oilseeds	Sunflower hybrids
500	Vegetables	Pumpkin, summer squash, winter squash, cucumber, pointed gourd, ridge gourd, snake gourd, sponge gourd, wax gourd, bitter gourd, bottle gourd. Chayote, Indian squash. Long melon, snap melon, muskmelon. watermelon, onion (OP variety and hybrids)
600	Cereals and millets	Maize inbred (different kernel color, texture)
800	Vegetables	Carrot variety and hybrids
1000	Vegetables	Bitter gourd hybrid, bottle gourd hybrid, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower. Chinese cabbage, cucumber hybrid, garden beet. Knol-khol. muskmelon hybrid, pumpkin hybrid, ridge gourd hybrid, radish, rat-tail radish, sponge gourd hybrid, spinach, summer squash hybrid, seedless hybrid watermelon, sugar beet, turnip, watermelon hybrid, winter squash hybrid
1600	Vegetables	Broccoli hybrid, cabbage hybrid, cauliflower hybrid, Chinese cabbage (fields of other var ieties of same species and same genera). Knol-khol hybrid, radish hybrids, turnip hybrids

Source: Reprinted fromlMSCS, 2013.

d) Companion crop should not have same pests and diseases
e) It should not interfere or create hindrances in the certification process.
11.7.4 ROGUING AND WEEDING

Off-type or rogue is a plant that deviates morphologically from varietal characteristics described by breeder. Off-types and rogues play an important role in genetic purity maintenance. Removal of off-types and rogues from seed field before flowering is must to avoid cross-pollination (Table 11.4). Similarly, presence of cross-compatible weeds also deteriorates genetic quality. The weeding at appropriate stages is must to avoid cross-pollination.

11.7.5 IRRIGATION

Irrigation plays an important role in determining the physiological quality of seed. The proper irrigation of mother crop is an essential requirement of the seed crop. The critical irrigation stages of the crop must be identified to have better yield and quality of seed harvested.

11.7.6 NUTRITION

The viability and vigor are mainly dependent upon the nutrition of mother crop. Proper fertilizer application schedule must be followed as per recommendations based on soil tests. Improper nutrient application in terms of quantity and stage of the crop may result in nutritional unbalance and disorder affecting seed yield and quality.

11.7.7 BIOTIC STRESS MANAGEMENT

The seed crops, like the commercial crop, are prone to many diseases and pests and their management need to be done to have healthy crop and harvest. In seed crop, particularly, seed-bome diseases and pests impose a serious problem. There are designated diseases of seed crops listed under IMSCS that need to be kept under control. The list of designated diseases is given in Table 11.5.

Sr. No.	Crop	Specifications	Vegetative	Flowering	Flowering, pod, earhead, boll formation stages	Maturity and harvest stages
1.	Rice	a) Short duration	-	85	-	95
		b) Medium duration	-	105	-	120
		c) Long duration	-	120	-	135
2.	Hybrid millets	a) Bajra	40	50	60	80
		b) Maize	45	60	70	90
		c) Sorghum	45	60	70	90
3.	Variety millets	a) Bajra	40	60	-	80
		b) Maize	45	70	-	90
		c) Parental maize	45	70	-	90
		d) Sorghum	45	70	-	90
		e) Finger millet	-	70	-	90
4.	Cotton	a) Suvin	-	75	-	105
		b) TNB 1	-	75	105	125
		c) Parental cotton	-	65	75	115
		d) Hybrid	45	65	105	125
5.	Pulses	a) Black gram	-	40	-	55
		b) Green gram	-	40	-	55
		c) Covvpea	-	45	-	75
		d) Covvpea P152	-	45	-	65
		e) Red gram short duration	-	80	-	100
		f) Long duration	-	120	-	150
		g) Horse gr am	-	55	-	70
		h) Bengal gram
6.	Oilseeds	a) Groundnut	-	60	-	90

Sr. No.	Crop	Specifications	Vegeta five	Flowering	Floweling, pod, earhead, boll formation stages	Maturity and harvest stages
		b) Sesame	40	60	-	75
		c) Sunflower	40	60	-	75
		d) Castor	-	50	-	90
		e) Mustard	35	45	-	65
		f) Soybean	-	50	-	90
		g) Sunflower hybrid	40	55	65	80
		li) Castor hybrid	40	50	70	90
7.	Vegetable	a) Tomato variety	50	70	-	90
		b) Tomato hybrid	45	60	70	90
		c) Brinjal variety	50	70	-	90
		d) Brinjal hybrid	50	70	80	90
		e) Bliindi	40	60	-	70
		f) Chilies-K2	65	95	-	105
		g) Cliilies	80	115	-	125
		h) Beans	-	50	-	70
		i) Pumpkin	60	80	-	100
		j) Ash gourd	60	80	-	100
		k) Bottle gourd	60	80	-	100
		1) Snake gourd	45	60	-	75
		m) Bitter gourd	45	60	-	75
		n) Ribbed gourd	45	60	-	75

Note: 1. These dates are given for general guidance.

2. Considering the age of variety, the difference in agroclimatic conditions and other relevant factors. Assistant Director of Agriculture (Seed Certification) can alter and fix suitable inspection dates.

Source: Reprinted ffomIMSCS, 2013.

Crop		Designated diseases	Causal organisms	Max permitted (ХоУЮООО plants)
Crop		Designated diseases	Causal organisms	Foundation Seed	Certified Seed
Cereals
1.	Triticale	Loose smut	Ustlilago tritici	10
1.	Triticale	Ergot	Clanceps purpurea	2	4
2.	Wheat variety and hybrid	Loose smut	Ustlilago tiitici	10	50
Millets
1.	Bajra	Grain smut	Tolypospoiium penicillarie	5	10
		Green ear	Tolyposponum sengalense	5	10
		Ergot	Claviceps microcephala	5	10
2.	Bailey	Loose smut	Ustlilago mida	10	50
3.	Oats	Loose smut	Ustlilago avenae	10	50
4.	Sorghum	Grain smut/kernel smut	Sphaceotheca soighi	5	10
4.	Sorghum	Head smut	Sphaceotheca reiliana	5	10
Pulses
1.	Cowpea	Ashy stem blight	Macrophomia phaseoli	10	20
		Anthracnose	Coll etotiichum 1 indem uthianum	10	20
		Ascochyta blight (for hill regions only)	Ascochyta sp.	10	20
2.	Green gram	Halo blight	Pseudomonas phasiolicola	10	20
Oilseeds
1.	Sesame	Leaf spot	Cercospora sesami	50	100
2.	Sunflower	Downy mildew	Plasmopara halstedii	5	50

Crop		Designated diseases	Causal organisms	Max permitted (No./lOOOO plants)
Crop		Designated diseases	Causal organisms	Foundation Seed	Certified Seed
Forage sorghum
1.	Forage sorghum	kernel smut/grain smut	Sphaceotheca sorghi	5	10
1.	Forage sorghum	Clinton and head smut	Sphaceotheca reiliana	5	10
Vegetables
1.	Brinjal	Phomopsis blight	Phomopsis vexans	10	50
2.	Cabbage	Black leg	Leptosphaeha maculmis	10	50
		Black rot	Xanthomonas campesths pv. Campesths	10	50
		Soft rot	Erwinia carotovora	10	50
3.	Capsicum chilies	Anthracnose/die back/ ripe rot	Colletotiiclnim capsid	10	50
4.	Cauliflower	Leafblight	Alteniaha solani	10	50
		Black leg	Leptosphaeha maculans	10	50
		Black rot	Xanthomonas campesths pv. Campesths	10	50
		Soft rot	Erwinia carotovora	10	50
5.	Celery	Leafblight	Alteniaha solani	10	50
5.	Celery	Root rot	Phoma apiicola	10	50
6.	Chinese cabbage	Blackleg	Leptosphaeha maculans	10	50
		Black rot	Xanthomonas campesths pv. Campesths	10	50
		Soft rot	Erwinia carotovora	10	50
7.	Cluster bean	Anthracnose	Colletotnchum sp.	10	20
7.	Cluster bean	Ascochyta blight (for hilly areas only)	Ascochyta sp.	10	20

Crop		Designated diseases	Causal organisms	Max permitted (No./lOOOO plants)
Crop		Designated diseases	Causal organisms	Foundation Seed	Certified Seed
		Bacterial blight	Xanth от ottas cyamopsidis	10	20
8.	French bean (Rajmash)	Bean mosaic	Macrosiphum pisi	10	20
		Anthracnose	Colletotrichum lindemuthianum	10	20
		Bacterial blight	Xanthomonas sp.	10	20
		Ascochyta blight	Ascochyta phaseolonim	10	20
9.	Knol-khol	Black leg	Phoma lingum	10	50
9.	Knol-khol	Black rot	Xanthomonas campestiis	10	50
10.	Tomato	Ear ly blight	Alteivaiia solani	10	50
		Tobacco mosaic virus	TMV	10	50
		Leaf spots	Stemphylium solani	10	50
И.	Potato	Brown rot	Pseudomonas solanaceamm	none	3/ha
		Lea fro 11 virus	Potato Vims 1	200	300
		Soft rot	Erwinia carotovora	75	100
		Virus	Solatium vims 14	200	300
		Mild mosaic	Solatium vims 1, vims X, Potato latent virus and Potato mottle vims	200	300
12	Yam	Brown rot/ bacterial wilt	Pseudomonas sol anaceamm	None	None

Source: Reprinted from IMSCS, 2013.

11.7.8 HARVESTING

Best quality of seed can be harvested just after attaining physiological maturity. The maturity indices should be fine-tuned to maximize yield and quality of harvested seed.

11.7.9 THRESHING

Threshing is separation of seeds from plant or fruit on which it is borne. It is critical operation as it may cause physical injuries to seed and may affect germination and yield as well. Threshing can be done manually and mechanically.

11.7.10 SEED PROCESSING

Seed processing determines the final physiological and physical quality. Seed processing comprises of cleaning, diying, grading, treating, and other operations that improve seed quality. The screens are specific to different crops as per the size and shape of seeds. Typical contaminants namely, weed seeds, undersized seeds, damaged seeds, broken and shriveled seeds, straw, chaff, leaves, twigs, stones, soil particles, etc., are removed. The crop- specific screen aperture sizes are enlisted in Table 11.6.

TABLE 11.6 Top and Bottom Aperture Size and Shape of Screen for Seed Processing of Various Crops.

S. No.	Crop	Screen aperture size (mm) and shape
S. No.	Crop	Top screen	Bottom screen
1	2	3	4
Cereal crops
1.	Barley:
	2-rowed	6.50 r	2.30 s
	6-rowed	6.50 r	2.10 s, 2.20 s
2.	Paddy:
	Coarse grain or bold type	2.8s, 9.0 r	1.85 s
	Medium slender	2.8s, 9.0 r	1.80 s
	Fine or superfine	2.8s, 9.0 r	1.70 s

TABLE 11.6 (Continued)

S. No.	Crop	Screen aperture size (mm) and shape
S. No.	Crop	Top screen	Bottom screen
1	2	3	4
3.	Wheat:
	Г aestivum	6.00 r	1.80 s, 2.10 s, 2.30 s
	T. durum	6.00 r	2.10 s, 2.30 s
4.	Triticale	6.00 r	2.10s
4.	Triticale	7.00 r	2.30 s
Millets
1.	Maize (other than popcorn)	10.50 r, 11.00 r	6.40 r, 7.00 r
2.	Popcorn	8.75 r	4.25 r, 4.75 r
3.	Sorghum	4.75 r	2.10 s, 3.50 r
4.	Pearl millet	3.25 r	1.30 r, 1.30 s, 1.40 r, 1.40 s, 1.60 r, 1.90 r
5.	Barnyard millet	3.25 r	1.40 s, 1.80 r
6.	Common millet	3.80 r	1.60 s
7.	Finger millet	3.25 r	1.40 s
8.	Italian millet	3.25 r	1.20 s, 1.30 r
9.	Kodo millet	3.80 r	1.60 s, 2.00 r
10.	Little millet	2.50 r	1.60 r
Pulses
1.	Black gram	5.00 r	2.80 s
2.	Bengal gram	9.00 r. 10.00 r	5.00 r, 5.50 r, 6.00 r
3.	Cowpea	7.00 r	3.50 r, 4.00 r
4.	Green gram	5.50 r	2.80 s, 3.20 s
5.	Indian bean (Sem)	8.75 r	4.75 s
6.	Lentil	7.00 r	3.20 s, 4.00 r, 4.75 r
7.	Pigeon pea (Arliar)	9.50 r	3.20 s, 4.00 r, 4.75 r
8.	Rajmash (French bean)	11.0 r	4.75 s
Oilseeds
1.	Castor	13.50 r	4.40 s, 6.00 r
2.	Rapeseed and mustard	2.75 r, 3.00 r, 3.25 r	0.90 s, 1.00 s, 1.10 s, 1.40 r
3.	Linseed	4.00 r	2.00 r
4.	Niger	3.20 r	1.20 s

S. No.	Crop	Screen aperture size (nun) and shape
S. No.	Crop	Top screen	Bottom screen
1	2	3	4
5.	Rocket salad	3.20 r	1.10 s, 1.20 s
6.	Safflower	7.25 r	1.20 s
7.	Sesame	2.40 r	1.60 r, 1.90 r
8.	Soybean	8.00 r	4.00 s
9.	Sunflower	9.00 r	2.40 s
Fibers
1.	Cotton:
	Fuzzy	14.30 r	5.20 s
	Delinted	7.20 r	3.90 s
2.	Jute:
	CapsuJaris	2.40 r	1.20 r, 1.60 r
	Olitorius	2.00 r	0.80 r.1.00 r
Forages
1.	Berseem:
	Diploid	2.00 r	1.00 s
	Tetraploid	2.40 r	1.20 s
2.	Forage sorghum	4.00 r, 4.75 r	2.10 s
3.	Cluster bean	6.00 r	1.80 s
4.	Guinea grass	2.10 r	2.40*0.65 in
5.	Indian clover	2.10 r	2.40*0.80 ill
6.	Lucerne	2.50 r	0.700.700.70 m
7.	Oats	7.50 r	2.00 s
8.	Setaria grass	2.40 r	1.90 s
9.	Sudangrass	4.00 r	1.20 s, 1.30 s
Vegetable crops
Cucurbits
1.	Ash gourd	9.50 r	6.40 r
2.	Bitter gourd	11.00 r	6.50 r
3.	Bottle gourd	11.00 r	6.50 r
4.	Cucumber	8.00 r	2.00 r, 2.50 r
5.	Indian squash	9.50 r	6.40 r
6.	Long melon	5.00 s	1.00 r

TABLE 11.6 (Continued)

S. No.	Crop	Screen aperture size (mm) and shape
S. No.	Crop	Top screen	Bottom screen
1	2	3	4
7.	Muskmelon	5.00 s	1.00 r
8.	Pumpkin	11.00 r	6.50 r
9.	Ridge gourd	9.50 r	6.40 r
10.	Snake gourd	9.50 r	6.40 r
11.	Snap melon	5.00 s	1.00 r
12.	Sponge gourd	9.50 r	6.40 r
13.	Summer squash	8.00 r	2.00 r
14.	Watermelon	6.00 r	1.80 s
Fruit vegetables
1.	Brinjal	4.00 r	0.80 s, 2.10 r
2.	Capsicum (sweet pepper)	4.00 r	0.80 s, 2.10 r
3.	Chili (hot pepper)	4.00 r	0.80 s, 2.10 r
4.	Okra	6.00 r	4.30 r
5.	Rat-tail radish	4.50 r	2.00 r
6.	Tomato	4.00 r	0.80 s, 2.10 r
Greens/leafy vegetables
1.	Asparagus	6.00 r	2.40 r
2.	Celery	1.80 r	0.40 s. 0.64x0.64 m
3.	Fenugreek (Methi): Large and medium	3.25 r	1.20 s
3.	Small	2.10 r	0.69 x 0.69 m
4.	Lettuce	2.30 r	0.80 r
5.	Parsley	2.75 r	0.75 s
6.	Spinach beet	5.50 r	1.80 s, 1.85 s, 2.25 r
7.	Spinach:
	Round seeded	5.00 r	2.75 r
	Sharp seeded	8.00 r	2.50 r
8.	Coriander (All varieties)	4.25 r	2.5 s
Cole crops
1.	Cabbage	2.75 r	0.90 s
2.	Cauliflower	2.75 r	1.10s
3.	Broccoli	2.75 r	1.10s

S. No.	Crop	Screen aperture size (mm) and shape
S. No.	Crop	Top screen	Bottom screen
1	2	3	4
4.	Chinese cabbage (both heading and nonheading)	2.75 r	0.90 s
5.	Knol-kohl	2.75 r	1.10s
Bulbs crops
1.	Onion	3.80 r	2.00 r
Root crops
1.	Carrot	2.30 r	1.00 r
2.	Celeriac	1.80 r	0.40 s, 0.65x0.65 m
3.	Sugar beet:
	Monogerm	9.00 r	3.00 r
	Multigerm	9.00 r	2.50 s
4.	Garden beet	9.00 r	3.00 r
5.	Radish	4.50 r	2.00 r
6.	Turnip	1.80 r	1.20 r

r: round aperture; s: slotted or oblong aperture; m: sieves with wire mesh. Source: Reprinted from IMSCS, 2013.

The cleaned seeds are to be brought down to optimum moisture content, that is, 8-10% for the majority of the crops. In general, seeds are dried shade at about 15°C and 10-15% relative humidity with good air recirculation. At the commercial level, seed driers having provisions for air circulation, temperature, and RH control.

Seed is a carrier and prone to various seed-borne diseases and pests. Under the certification program, there is provision for mandatory seed treatments to manage pathogens that are seed-borne in nature. Such treatments are mandatory before granting seed certification. If presowing seed treatment is required, the desired quantity of chemical must be placed inside seed container packed separately and complete information about treatment (IMSCS, 2013). As per IMSCS (2013), treated seed containers must be inscribed with the following instructions:

• Statement of indication that seed is treated;
• The chemical name of substance used; and
• Caution statement like “Do not Use for Food, Feed or Oil Purposes” must be inscribed on the label if applicable. The caution for mercurial and other toxic substances must be written as “POISON” and prominently displayed on label in red color.
11.7.11 PACKING

The low-volume seed having small size and low seed rate is generally packed in moisture-proof packs. There are automatic machines to pack and seal the desired quantity of seed. However, the high-volume seeds are packed in cloth or gunny bags with or without polythene lining on the inner side. Such packs are not moisture-proof.

11.7.12 LABELING

Labeling is compulsory as per legal requirement. There are different kinds of label or tag for different classes. The class-wise description of seed tags is given below.

The breeder seed tag is golden yellow (ISI No. 356; IS-1978) with a dimension of 12 cm in length and 6 cm in width. The foundation seed tag (both stage I & II) is white in color with dimensions 157.5 cm. The certified seed tag (both stage I & II) is azure blue (ISI No. 104) in color having dimensions 157.5 cm. Likewise, the truthfully labeled seed tag is Opel green (ISI No. 275) in color with dimensions 157.5 cm in dimensions.

The dimensions can be proportionally altered depending upon size of seed packet or container.

11.7.13 STORAGE OF SEEDS

Seeds can be classified into two categories based on their minimum moisture limit and storage potential, that is, orthodox and recalcitrant seeds. The storage potential of orthodox seeds improves with reduction in moisture content to certain label under ambient conditions, such as all cereals, millets, pulses, oilseeds, forages, vegetables, ornamentals, and most leguminous trees, etc. On the contrary, the storage potential of recalcitrant seeds reduces with the reduction in moisture content at ambient condition, for example, avocado, araucaria, chow-chow, cocoa, coconut, durian, Jack fruit, mango, polyalthia, potato, rubber, and tea, etc.

SUMMARY

Seed, being vital for agriculture, deserves the utmost attention among all other inputs. Seed quality determines magnitude and quality of harvest and productivity of other inputs required for crop production. Quality of seed is, however, determined by quality of crop on which seed is borne. Hence, it is the management of seed crop that plays a pivotal role in quality and productivity of subsequent crop raised. Understanding seed quality, its components, and factors affecting individual component form basis of quality seed production. Moreover, being a commodity of trade, there are certain legislative mechanisms for QC. These mechanisms must be followed to have compliance to minimum field and seed standards. Thus, management of seed crop requires comprehensive understanding of basic principles of seed production, seed quality, QC mechanisms, legal aspects of production and trade, and of course the practical skills of crop husbandry. The postharvest management needs critical attention in detennining final quality of harvested seed that reaches end-user.

KEYWORDS

• crops
• legislation
• management
• principles
• production
• quality
• seed

REFERENCES

Agarwal, R. L. Seed Technology; Oxford & IBH Publishing Co.: New Delhi, India. 1995; p 842. Bateman, A. J. Contamination of Seed Crop -II. Heredity’ 1947,1, 235-246.

Fieistrizer, W. P. Cereal Seed Technology. A Manual on Cereal Seed Production, Quality Control and Distribution, FAO, UN, 1975, p 238.

Haan, H. D. Maintaining Varieties of Self-fertlised Crop Plants. Euphytica 1953,2(1), 37-45.

Hartmann, H. T.; Kester, D. E. Plant Propagation: Principles and Practices; Prentice Hall Inc.: New Jersey, USA, 1968.

IMSCS. Indian Minimum Seed Certification Standards. CSCB, Ministry of Agriculture, New Delhi, 2013.

Kadam, B. S. Deterioration of Varieties of Crops and the Task of the Plant Breeder. Indian J. Gen. Plant Breed. 1942,2, 159-172.

Nema, N. P. Principles of Seed Certification and Testing; Allied Publishers: New Delhi, India. OECD, 1985.

Ramamoorthy, K.: Sivasubramaniam. K.; Kannan. A. Seed Legislation in India; Agrobios (India): Jodhpur, Rajasthan. India. 2006.

Ramamoorthy, K.; Sivasubramanium. K. Seed Technologу Readyreckoner: Agrobios: Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India, 2006. p 119.

Thompson, J. R. An Introduction to Seed Technology•; Leonard Hill: London, UK, 1979.

MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR SEED QUALITY

SUMMARY

KEYWORDS

REFERENCES

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