CLASSES OF SEED
The four generally recognized classes of seeds are: Breeder's seed,
Foundation seed, Registered seed and Certified seed. The Association of Official
Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA) has defined these seed classes as follows:
Breeder seed
The seed or vegetatively propagated material directly controlled by the
originating or the sponsoring breeder or institution which is the basic seed for
recurring increase of foundation seed.
Foundation seed
It is the progeny of breeder seed. The seed stock is managed to maintain
specific identity and genetic purity, which may be designated or distributed and
produced under careful supervision of an agricultural experiment station. This seed
is the source of all other certified seed classes either directly or through registered
seed.
Registered seed
The progeny of the foundation seed is so handled as to maintain its genetic
identity and purity and approved and certified by a certifying agency. It should be
of quality suitable to produce certified seed.
Certified seed
It is the progeny of the foundation seed. Its production is so handled to maintain
genetic identity and physical purity according to standards specified for the crop
being certified. It should have the minimum genetic purity of 99%. Certified seed
may be the progeny of certified seed , provided this reproduction does not exceed
two generations beyond foundation seed and provided that if certification agency
determines the genetic and physical purity, if not be significantly altered. In case of
highly self pollinated crops certification of one further generation may be permitted.
Certified seed produced from certified seed shall be eligible for further seed
increase under certification, except in case of highly self-pollinated crops, where
, certification of one further generation may be permitted. Certification tags
issued once for certified seed not eligible for further seed increase under
certification.
⮚ For paddy and wheat , certified seed produced from certified seed is eligible
for certification by NSC up to two generations from foundation seed
Foundation seed - Certified seed (I) - Certified seed (II)
⮚ For barley, garden pea ,ground nut, soyabean, certified seed produced from
certified seed is eligible for certification up to 3 generations from foundation
seed
Foundation seed - Certified seed (I) - Certified seed (II) - Certified seed (III)
Certification of certified seed produced from certified seed is not permitted for crops
other than those listed above.
Differences between certified seed and truthfully labeled seed
Certified seed Truthful labeled seed
Certification is voluntary Truthful labeling is compulsory for
notified kind of varieties
Applicable to notified kinds only Applicable to both notified and
released varieties
It should satisfy both minimum Tested for physical purity and
field and seed standards germination
Seed certification officer ,seed Seed inspectors alone can take
inspectors can take samples for samples for checking the seed
inspection quality.
The four generally recognized classes of seeds are: Breeder's seed,
Foundation seed, Registered seed and Certified seed. The Association of Official
Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA) has defined these seed classes as follows:
Breeder seed
The seed or vegetatively propagated material directly controlled by the
originating or the sponsoring breeder or institution which is the basic seed for
recurring increase of foundation seed.
Foundation seed
It is the progeny of breeder seed. The seed stock is managed to maintain
specific identity and genetic purity, which may be designated or distributed and
produced under careful supervision of an agricultural experiment station. This seed
is the source of all other certified seed classes either directly or through registered
seed.
Registered seed
The progeny of the foundation seed is so handled as to maintain its genetic
identity and purity and approved and certified by a certifying agency. It should be
of quality suitable to produce certified seed.
Certified seed
It is the progeny of the foundation seed. Its production is so handled to maintain
genetic identity and physical purity according to standards specified for the crop
being certified. It should have the minimum genetic purity of 99%. Certified seed
may be the progeny of certified seed , provided this reproduction does not exceed
two generations beyond foundation seed and provided that if certification agency
determines the genetic and physical purity, if not be significantly altered. In case of
highly self pollinated crops certification of one further generation may be permitted.
Certified seed produced from certified seed shall be eligible for further seed
increase under certification, except in case of highly self-pollinated crops, where
, certification of one further generation may be permitted. Certification tags
issued once for certified seed not eligible for further seed increase under
certification.
⮚ For paddy and wheat , certified seed produced from certified seed is eligible
for certification by NSC up to two generations from foundation seed
Foundation seed - Certified seed (I) - Certified seed (II)
⮚ For barley, garden pea ,ground nut, soyabean, certified seed produced from
certified seed is eligible for certification up to 3 generations from foundation
seed
Foundation seed - Certified seed (I) - Certified seed (II) - Certified seed (III)
Certification of certified seed produced from certified seed is not permitted for crops
other than those listed above.
Differences between certified seed and truthfully labeled seed
Certified seed Truthful labeled seed
Certification is voluntary Truthful labeling is compulsory for
notified kind of varieties
Applicable to notified kinds only Applicable to both notified and
released varieties
It should satisfy both minimum Tested for physical purity and
field and seed standards germination
Seed certification officer ,seed Seed inspectors alone can take
inspectors can take samples for samples for checking the seed
inspection quality.
