Seed

This book is based on the ICAR syllabus of Seed Science and Technology. It comprises of two major parts: 1. Seed Science and Technology and 2. Advances in Seed Science and Technology. The pat 1 consists of eight units of Seed Science and Technology like seed biology, seed production, seed processing, seed quality control, seed storage, seed health, seed industry development and marketing and protection of plant varieties. The part 2 involves the advances in Seed Science and Technology on seed physiology and biochemistry. In this, the units such as seed development and maturation, seed dormancy and germination, and seed deterioration are included.

Published in association with the International Herbage Seed Production Research Group, this volume and its companion provide the definitive resource for anyone involved in the breeding and commercial production of grass and legume seeds, whether for grazing systems, horticulture or recreation.

Seeds: Ecology, Biogeography, and Evolution of Dormancy and Germination differs from all other books on seed germination. It is an all-encompassing volume that provides a working hypothesis of the ecological and environmental conditions under which various kinds of seed dormancy have developed. It also presents information on the seed germination of more than 3500 species of trees, shrubs, vines and herbaceous species, making this a valuable reference for anyone studying germination. This book delivers information on characteristics of each type of seed dormancy, how each type of dormancy is broken in nature, and what environmental conditions are required for germination after dormancy is broken. It explains how studies should be done to distinguish persistent from transient seed banks, and covers which species should be controlled, propagated, and conserved. Seeds gives the reader insight and guidelines for doing ecologically meaningful studies on the biogeography and evolution of seed dormancy and germination in order to better understand plant reproductive strategies, life history traits, adaptations to habitats, and physiological processes. Evolutionary/phylogenetic origins and relationships of various kinds of seed dormancy A world biogeographical perspective on seed dormancy and germination Ecophysiology of seeds with each type of dormancy Critical evaluation of methodology used in soil seed bank studies Germination ecology of plants with specialized habitat and life cycle types Genetic and maternal preconditioning effects on seed dormancy and germination Guidelines for doing ecologically-meaningful germination studies

This toolkit – made available in English, French and Spanish – will be promoted as practical guidance to assist in the implementation of the national seed strategies. It will provide a number of practical capacity building tools for essential stages of the seed value chain and targeted primarily at seed sector practitioners who will participate in special training workshops to acquire pertinent technical knowledge and will be expected in return to create a multiplier effect through further follow-up FFS trainings down to the level of seed traders and farmers. In doing so, the toolkit will be used as guidance for conducting country-led workshops and other training activities aimed at strengthening quality seed delivery systems and seed regulatory mechanisms in selected countries. The development of capacity in the production of high quality seeds, the seed replacement rates, true seed cost and realistic seed pricing mechanisms as well as the role of different stakeholders are of critical importance in the process of the formulation of national seed policies, which is one of the core areas of FAO’s delivery at the national level.