Seed Quality Enhancement Principles And Practices

Seed is the source of future plants or foods, is the storage place of culture of history, is the first link in the food chain, is the ultimate symbol of food security. Seed is the source of life. Seeds are basic in crop production. No agricultural practice can improve a crop beyond the limits set by the seed. Quality seed is the key for successful agriculture, which demands each and every seed should be readily germinable and produce a vigorous seedling ensuring high yield. “Care with the seed and joy with the harvest” and “Good seed doesn’t cost it always pays” are the popular adage which enlightens the importance of the quality seed. The farmers always very much interested in the best seed management practices which are safe, environmentally sound and scientifically proven technologies. Understandably, in view of the importance of quality seeds in Agriculture, both as a product and as a means of establishing a crop, most attention at all levels of investigation has been directed to crop seeds. Since seed is a biological entity, deterioration beyond harvest is inevitable. The consequences of low quality seeds are poor germination, low and delayed emergence and weak growth leading to poor field stand and ultimately reflecting on reduced yield. Low productivity could be attributed broadly to use of poor quality seeds. At present to overcome this, several seed enhancement techniques are available for quality upgradation. It has two goals; one is related to seed designing and other to seed functioning. The rationale for pre-sowing seed enhancement techniques is to mobilize the seeds own resources and to augment them with external resources to get maximum improvement in field stand establishment and yield. To achieve this, several physical, physiological and biochemical treatments are available at present to give value addition to seeds. Physiological seed treatments that improve seed performance are based primarily on seed hydration and dehydration. Among several non physiological seed treatments, coating or pelleting can also indirectly improve seed germination, stand establishment and crop productivity.

Plant breeders continue to make significant advances in developing high yield ing, adaptable, disease-free crops. These advances, however, are not realized until an efficient seed production system is in place that rapidly increases geneti cally superior crops and makes them available to the consumer in large quantities at a reasonable cost. Successful seed production requires seed to be genetically pure, free of admixtures, and able to establish rapidly a uniform stand. Seed production is a complex process. Rigorous production criteria are followed by both seed producer and seed companies to ensure that high-quality seed is produced and marketed. These criteria become even more stringent in hybrid seed production. This volume identifies the factors most critical in a successful seed production operation. The fundamental considerations common to all seed crops are established in Part I, Principles of Seed Production. From this founda tion, the practices of seed production are provided in detail in Part II, Seed Production of Specific Crops.

The book provides wide range of information on seed storage. In the beginning the biology of seeds and factors which influence seed viability and storage is explained. How the seed storage can be made more effective from the initial selection and dryingof seeds to protective measures, packaging and transportation is explanied. All type of illustrations are provided in respect of machinery and facilities commonly used in the treatment and storage of seeds. Among many other, short accounts are given of varietal variation in viability of seeds variation in tolerance of mechanical injury sustained during handling, and cytological changes which take place during storage, including the spontaneous appearance of mutations and occurrence of chromosomal abnormalities. A Well produced and thorough book likely to be valued by all PG, researchers, seed societies botanist and Agriculturists and all those who are interested about seed storage.

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

A reference text with the latest information and research for educators, students, and researchers! World hunger and malnutrition remain an alarming concern that spurs researchers to develop quality technology. The Handbook of Seed Science and Technology is an extensive reference text for educators, students, practitioners, and researchers that focuses on the underlying mechanisms of seed biology and the impact of powerful biotechnological approaches on world hunger, malnutrition, and consumer preferences. This comprehensive guide provides the latest available research from noted experts pointing out the likely directions of future developments as it presents a wealth of seed biology and technological information. Seed science is the all-important foundation of plant science study. The Handbook of Seed Science and Technology provides an integrative perspective that takes you through the fundamentals to the latest applications of seed science and technology. This resource provides a complete overview, divided into four sections: Seed Developmental Biology and Biotechnology; Seed Dormancy and Germination; Seed Ecology; and Seed Technology. The Handbook of Seed Science and Technology is extensively referenced and packed with tables and diagrams, and makes an essential source for students, educators, researchers, and practitioners in seed science and technology.

Difficulties in conduction of purity analyses of tropical species are discussed with particular emphasis on the pasture species. Methods and equipment requiring further research are highlighted. Operating and management problems of processing -seed in tropical areas are described. Ways in which viability losses can be reduced in open or naturally ventilated seed stores are described. Methods of protecting seed from insect attack and testing seeds of tropical crops for many seed-borne diseases are discussed. Marketing and promotion requirements, methods, agencies and channels are diagrammed. Two alternatives are described for established a seed testing station in tropical areas: Seed - lab 2000, that can test 2000 samples/ year and Seed - lab 5000 that can test 5000 samples/year. A list of books and journals for a basic seed testing library is appended.