Seed - definition – importance – quality

characteristics - history of seed industry

 Introduction
 Among the input used by the farmers,
seed is the cheapest
 Seed is a basic input in agriculture and
forms only a small part of cultivation
expenses
 Yet, without good seed the investment on
fertilizer, water, pesticide and other inputs
will not pay the required dividends
 In seed, importance is given to the embryo
whereas in grain the importance is given to
the food storage tissue
 Seed - Definition
1. Botanically seed is a matured ovule usually developed
after fertilization
 Apomixis
Development of seed without fertilization – Asexual
mode of seed formation
 Parthenocarpy
Production of fruit without fertilization of ovules
 Seed - Definition
2. A seed is an embryonic plant in a resting stage, supplied
with food materials, and protected by seed coats.
 Quiescent
condition of the seed in which the normal seed which
are capable of germination will not be able to germinate
because of the unavailability of favourable conditions
 Dormancy
state in which seeds are prevented from germinating
even under environmental conditions normally favorable
for germination
3. Any part of plant which has the capability to regenerate a
new plant. – Bulbs, tubers, cuttings, layers etc.,
 Seed - Definition
1. Botanically seed is a mature ovule usually developed
after fertilization
2. A seed is an embryonic plant in a resting stage, supplied
with food materials, and protected by seed coats
3. Any part of plant which has the capability to regenerate
a new plant
 However, the widely accepted definition is
 Seed is a matured ovule that consisting of an embryonic
plant together with a store of food, all surrounded by a
protective coat.
Seed Structure
 As per Seed Act (1966) seed includes

 Seed of food crops including edible oil seeds and seeds of

fruits & vegetables.
 Cotton seeds
 Seeds of cattle fodder
 Jute seeds
 Seed also include vegetative propagules like tubers (potato),
bulbs (onion), rhizomes (turmeric), roots, cuttings
(sugarcane), all types of grafts and other vegetative
propagules of food crops or cattle fodder
 Seed Vs Grain

Seed Grain

1. Viable unit Need not be viable

2. Sowing purpose Consumption purpose
3. Metabolically active It need not be metabolically active
4. Seed should have genetic purity Need not be genetically pure
5. It should satisfy certain Minimum Need not satisfy seed standards
Standards. (Germination, Physical
purity and Moisture content)
 Seed Vs Grain

Seed Grain
6. During seed drying, Temp should Higher temperature will not
not be more than 110 F for affect grain drying
cereals and 90 F for vegetables

7. Seed may be treated with Should not be treated - meant

poisonous seed treating for consumption
chemicals
8. Seed should posses either truthful No such condition for grain
label or certification tag production
 Seed production vs Crop production
Seed production Crop production
Any seed material can be used
Basic seed should be from an
authentic source

Seed plot should be selected Can be grown in any area

carefully for better performance, as
per edaphic and environmental
requirement
Needs isolation from other varieties Isolation not necessary
Needs technical skill for Special technical skill is not required
maintenance of quality
Maintenance of genetic purity is Genetic purity is not required
important
 Seed production vs Crop production

Seed production Crop production

Roguing is compulsorily
practiced Roguing is not practiced
Harvesting should be done at Harvested at field maturity
physiological/ harvestable
maturity
Resultant seed should be Question of viability does not arise
vigorous and viable
Importance is given to seed Importance is given to yield
quality rather than yield
 Definition of Seed technology
 Seed technology is an interdisciplinary science,
encompassing a broad range of subjects viz., breeding,
agronomy, physiology, pathology, entomology, microbiology
and engineering
 Seed Technology is a multidisciplinary science involves
activities such as seed production, seed processing, seed
storage, seed testing, seed certification, seed quality
control, seed marketing etc.
 In brief the goal of seed technology in Agriculture sector is
timely supply of quality seeds for reasonable price to
farmers.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF QUALITY SEED
 Genetically pure - It is the true to type nature of the seed
i.e., the seedling / plant / tree from the seed should
resemble its mother in all aspects
If the seed possesses all the genetic qualities that breeder
has placed in the variety, it is said to be genetically pure.
 Physically pure –
seed should be free from other seeds, debris, inert matter,
diseased seed and insect damaged seed.
It also should be devoid of shriveled, diseased, mottled,
moulded, discoloured, damaged and empty seeds. Lack of
purity influence the field establishment and planting value of
seed.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF QUALITY SEED
 Seed should be viable & vigorous
The ability of seed for production of seedling with normal
root and shoot under favorable condition is known as germ
inability.
Seed vigour is the physiological stamina of the seed in
producing elite seedling.
 Free from fungal & insect infection
Health status of seed is the absence of insect infestation and
fungal infection, in or on the seed.
Seed should not be infected with fungi or infested with insect
pests as these will reduce the physiological quality of the
seed and also the physical quality of the seed in long term
storage.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF QUALITY SEED

 Optimum moisture content

MC of seed play an important role during storage in
maintaining viability of seed. High moist seeds are also
susceptible to insect and disease attack
 Free from mechanical damage
Damaged seed loose viability quickly due to rapid
absorption of moisture during.
Entry point for the pathogen
Hence the quality seed should have
 High genetic purity
 High physical purity
 High germinability
 High vigour
 Higher field establishment
 Free from pest and disease and mechanical damage
 Good shape, size, colour etc., according to the
specification of variety
 High longevity / shelf life
 Optimum moisture content for storage
IMPORTANCE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF SEED

 Gives desired plant population.

 Able to withstand the adverse conditions much better

 Free from pest and diseases

 Seedlings will be more vigourous and fast growing

 Genetically and physically pure seeds can be obtained

 Can resist pest and disease incidence to certain extent.

 IMPORTANCE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF SEED

 Ensures uniform growth and maturity

 Development of root system will be more efficient that aids

absorption of nutrients efficiently and result in higher yield.

 Respond well to added fertilizer and other inputs.

 Use of quality seed alone can increase the yield by 10 – 5 %