Advances In Seed Science And Technology Forest Tree Seed Production

Seed is an indispensable gadget, for all people involved with plant kingdom. Seed by itself, is a fascinating piece of art and Daphne J. Osborne admire thus the almost universal formation of the dry seed and its revival on the addition of water is nothing short of an evolutionary miracle. Understanding of molecular mechanisms of seed and development of technologies for best exploitation of seed's potential is all about Seed Science and Technology. It is important to sensitize the students about the basic mechanisms of seed and the applicability of seed related technologies. This book is written for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students or a layperson that is interested to be introduced to Tree Seed Technology. The chapters of the book are arranged in such a way that the reader first gets acquainted with the intricacies of tree seed well. Later on, the biological systems of seed are dealt with to describe how seeds form, develop, mature, germinate or remain dormant. Thereafter, details of quality seed production are elaborated with due importance to the influence of agro- climatic and pollution factors involved. All the efforts generated to produce quality seeds should culminate in obtaining high vigor seedlings, for which seed handling techniques are imperative, therefore, chapter has been allocated to elaborate the methodologies and precautions to be followed during seed collection, extraction, drying, processing, treating, and storing. The chapter on synthetic seed production is included to reflect the large strides made in the recent years in the field of plant propagation. In order to make available right quality of seed, testing and certification of seeds has been implemented for agricultural and horticultural crops in India through Seed Acts. The same is yet to be extended for tree seeds also. The seed testing and certification procedures pertaining to trees seeds are provided in two chapters.The Book is designed to be straight- forward and reader- friendly. Figures and tables are provided at all necessary places to sustain the interest of the reader.

This Fourth Edition of Principles of Seed Science and Technology, like the fIrst three editions, is written for the advanced undergraduate student or lay person who desires an introduction to the science and technology of seeds. The fIrst nine chapters present the seed as a biological system and cover its origin, development, composition, function (and sometimes nonfunction), performance and ultimate deterioration. The last nine chapters present the fundamentals of how seeds are produced, conditioned, evaluated and distributed in our modern agricultural society. Two new chapters have been added in this fourth edition, one on seed ecology and the second on seed drying. Finally, revisions have been made throughout to reflect changes that have occurred in the seed industry since publication of the Third Edition. Because of the fundamental importance of seeds to both agriculture and to all of society, we have taken great care to present the science and technology of seeds with the respect and feeling this study deserves. We hope that this feeling will be communicated to our readers. Furthermore, we have attempted to present information in a straight-forward, easy-ta-read manner that will be easily understood by students and lay persons alike. Special care has been taken to address both current state-of-the-art as well as future trends in seed technology.

Objective Seed Science and Technology is prepared based on the ICAR UG syllabus of Seed Science and Technology. This book is the compilation of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) in Seed Science and Technology which will be highly useful in writing competitive examinations like ASRB, NET, JRF, SRF, Ph.D entrance, Bank, UPSC, Agricultural, Horticultural and Seed Certification Officers. The 2nd revised Edition comprises two sections namely 1. Seed Science and Technology: Principles and Practices, and 2. Advances in Seed Physiology and Biochemistry. The section 1 consists of eight units such as floral and seed biology, seed production including breeding methods, seed processing, seed quality control, seed storage, seed health, seed industry and marketing and protection of plant varieties including DUS. The section 2 consists of three units namely seed development and maturation, seed dormancy and germination, and seed deterioration. Each chapter includes Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), fill in the blanks, true or false, match the following, answer the incorrect statement, arrange in order and differentiate between the following. Abbreviations, National and International journals and books, International STLs, Seed Scientists and their inventions and glossaries are also compiled and presented in this book

The present volume 'Forest Seed Science and Management' deals with various aspects of seeds and is comprised of 14 chapters

Seed is the primary input for productive forestry and for any afforestation program. In propagation and conservation of a species, seeds play a vital role. In recent years owing to greater emphasis on community forestry, wasteland development and to support the National, Mission for a Green India as a part of the "National Action Plan on Climate Change" the requirement of seed has multiplied manifold. Large quantities of seed are needed every year to raise the nursery stock for propagating the desired plant species. A plentiful supply of quality seed i.e., high in viability and vigour, is therefore one of the prerequisites to make such activities successful. Presently requirement of forest seeds has not been properly documented though some estimation has been arrived at quantifying the seed demand of various forestry species based on utilization of seed in the past. Seeds are the most suitable form to conserve and also a means to distribute the plant germplasm. The quality of seed depends on choice of seed collection stand, seed crop abundance, time of collection, handling and storage. The duration of the viability of the seeds in nature vary widely among species due to their varied maturation time and storage physiology. In view of the increasing importance of seed quality in forestry and the numerous challenges in handling, testing and storage of forest seed, present book is very important for the benefit of forest seed industry. In the significant advances that India made in forest science in the last four decades, the role of the seed sector has been substantial. The present volume 'Forest Seed Science and Management' deals with various aspects of seeds and is comprised of 14 chapters highlighting aspects on historical perspective, recent research trends, insect, pest and disease management, physiological, biotechnological and molecular aspects, collection to processing and storage, testing, industrial approach, seed policy & legislation, IPRs and rural extension.