Seed Improvement

AES 111
Dr Neeraj

Improved Seeds
Introduction:
In past farmers used seeds of indifferent quality because
Special good quality seeds consumed away during the off season OR
Good seeds deteriorated through storage period

Seed:
Basic and crucial input for attaining sustained growth in
agriculture production
It is carrier of new technology to crop production-propagation
and multiplication.
Accordingly, the production of quality seeds and distribution of
new improved plant varieties constitute an important
component of governments policy

Governments initiatives
High Yielding Varieties Programme (HYVP) was
started in 1966 which resulted in introduction of
number of high yielding varieties if rice, wheat ,
hybrids of maize, jwoar and bajra.
Setting up of National Seeds Corporation (NSC) in
1963 and The Sates Farm Corporation of India(SFCI)
in 1969 to produce and supply quality seeds.
There are also private producers who multiply
foundation seeds and certified quality seeds under
the prescribed quality control arrangements

 Organized seed sector for food crops and cereals

is dominated by public sector,
Govenmement is giving considerable attention to
Research in evolving better seeds suitable to indian
condition
Larger production and better distribution of quality
seeds
Provision of adequate credit facilities to enable farmers
purchase and used quality seeds
Expansion of irrigation, fertilizers and pesticides which
are necessary for efficient use of quality seeds

Three stages in Seed production

cycle
Production of breeder seed
Production of foundation seeds
Production and availability of quality
seeds to the actual farm users

Breeder Seeds
It is primary stage of the seed production cycle
It is further multiplied in to foundation and certified seeds
The genetic purity of breeder seed crop should be maintained at 100 per cent.
The production of breeder seeds is organized by the ICAR. The national seeds
corporation, The States Farm Corporation of India as well as the Agriculture
Universities and research institutes are also providing breeder seeds
The breeder seed production was about 119210 quintals during 2010-11
There has been adequate supply of breeder seeds of cereals , fodder and fiber
crops, there has been shortage of breeder seeds of oilseeds (ground nuts) and
pulses.

Seed Tag Breeder

color Tag Pale yellow to yellow

Foundation seeds
Secondary stage of seed production cycle
The genetic purity of foundation seed should be maintained at 99.5 per cent.
The NSC and SFCI and State Seed Corporations has been given the
responsibility for production of foundation seeds to ensure adequate
availability of foundation seed
The government of India is now allocating breeder seeds to private seed
producers for rapid multiplication of the breeder seeds to foundation seed
The NSC and SFCI produce foundation seeds to meet the requirements of
National Varieties while State seeds corporation produce foundation seeds to
meet local requirements.
The foundation production of cereals, pulses, oilseeds, fodder and fiber crops
is estimate to be 17.50 lakh quintals in 2010-11

Seed Tag- Certified Seed

Tag Color - White

Certified seeds
Certified seeds (also known as
qulaity seeds) are produced and
distributed for all farmers and in all
regions
This is the commercial seed which is
available to the farmers and its
genetic purity should be 99 per cent.
The distribution of certified seeds
was to the tune of about 277.30 lakh
quintals in 2010-11.

Seed tag Certified seed

Color Azar Blue