SEED PRODUCTION
Availability of quality seeds of improved cultivars is considered crucial for
realizing productivity and adoption of cultivars in different agro-climatic conditions.
The quality of seed alone is known to account for at least 10-15% increase in the
productivity (ICAR 1993). However, lack of quality seed continues to be one of the
greatest impediments to bridging the vast yield gap. Therefore, to approach the
potentially realizable yield of a cultivar, production and distribution of quality seed
is essential. The good quality seed should have the following characters:
• Genetic purity, and uniformity and should conform to the standards of the
particular cultivar.
• Disease free, viable seeds.
• Free from admixtures of other crop seeds, weeds and inert matter.
• Acceptable uniformity with respect to size, shape and color.
Seed Production
Systemized crop production is known as seed production. In seed production
adequate care is given from the purchase of seeds upto harvest adopting proper
seed and crop management techniques.
The benefits of seed production are
Higher income
Higher quality seed for next sowing
Difference between seed and crop production
Seed production Crop production
Basic seed should be from an authentic Any seed material can be used
source
Seed plot should be selected carefully Can be grown in any area
for better performance, as per edaphic
and environmental requirement
Needs isolation from other varieties Isolation is not necessary
, Needs technical skill for maintenance of Special technical skill is not required
quality
Maintenance of genetic purity is Genetic purity is not required
important
Roguing is compulsorily practiced Roguing is not practiced
Harvesting should be done at Harvested at field maturity
physiological/ harvestable maturity
Resultant seed should be vigorous and Question of viability does not arise
viable
Importance is given to seed quality Importance is given more to yield
rather than the yield
There are two types (major) of seed production ie. varietal and hybrid
Seed production based on the type of seed used for multiplication .The difference
between varietal and hybrid seed production are as follows
Varietal seed production Hybrid seed production
It is single parent multiplication It needs two to many parents
Isolation distance requirement is less Isolation distance requirement is
more
Production is by open pollination Production is by managed control
pollination (Female)
Seed can be used continuously for Seed has to be changed every time
3/4/5 generations
Production technique is uniform Technique differ with crop
(multiplication)
Production care is less Production care is more
Yield will be lower Yield will be higher
Profit is less Profit is higher
Availability of quality seeds of improved cultivars is considered crucial for
realizing productivity and adoption of cultivars in different agro-climatic conditions.
The quality of seed alone is known to account for at least 10-15% increase in the
productivity (ICAR 1993). However, lack of quality seed continues to be one of the
greatest impediments to bridging the vast yield gap. Therefore, to approach the
potentially realizable yield of a cultivar, production and distribution of quality seed
is essential. The good quality seed should have the following characters:
• Genetic purity, and uniformity and should conform to the standards of the
particular cultivar.
• Disease free, viable seeds.
• Free from admixtures of other crop seeds, weeds and inert matter.
• Acceptable uniformity with respect to size, shape and color.
Seed Production
Systemized crop production is known as seed production. In seed production
adequate care is given from the purchase of seeds upto harvest adopting proper
seed and crop management techniques.
The benefits of seed production are
Higher income
Higher quality seed for next sowing
Difference between seed and crop production
Seed production Crop production
Basic seed should be from an authentic Any seed material can be used
source
Seed plot should be selected carefully Can be grown in any area
for better performance, as per edaphic
and environmental requirement
Needs isolation from other varieties Isolation is not necessary
, Needs technical skill for maintenance of Special technical skill is not required
quality
Maintenance of genetic purity is Genetic purity is not required
important
Roguing is compulsorily practiced Roguing is not practiced
Harvesting should be done at Harvested at field maturity
physiological/ harvestable maturity
Resultant seed should be vigorous and Question of viability does not arise
viable
Importance is given to seed quality Importance is given more to yield
rather than the yield
There are two types (major) of seed production ie. varietal and hybrid
Seed production based on the type of seed used for multiplication .The difference
between varietal and hybrid seed production are as follows
Varietal seed production Hybrid seed production
It is single parent multiplication It needs two to many parents
Isolation distance requirement is less Isolation distance requirement is
more
Production is by open pollination Production is by managed control
pollination (Female)
Seed can be used continuously for Seed has to be changed every time
3/4/5 generations
Production technique is uniform Technique differ with crop
(multiplication)
Production care is less Production care is more
Yield will be lower Yield will be higher
Profit is less Profit is higher
