LECTURE NO: 03

Deterioration causes of crop Varieties and their control; Maintenance of

genetic purity during seed production,
Variety: Is a group of plants having clear distinguished characters which when reproduced
either sexually or asexually retains these characters. The main aim of seed production is to
produce genetically pure and good quality seed. But why/how the genetic purity of a variety
is lost or deteriorated during seed multiplication. The several factors those are responsible
for loss of genetic purity during seed production as listed by kadam (1942) are:
1. Developmental Variation
2. Mechanical Mixtures
3. Mutations
4. Natural Crossing
5. Genetic drift
6. Minor Genetic Variation
7. Selective influence of Diseases
8. Techniques of the Breeder
9. Breakdown of male sterility
10. Improper / defective seed certification System
1. Developmental Variation: When a seed crop is grown in difficult environmental
conditions such as different soil and fertility conditions, under saline or alkaline conditions or
under different photo-periods or different elevations or different stress conditions for
several consecutive generations the developmental variations may arise as differential
growth response.
To avoid or minimize such developmental variations the variety should always be grown
in adaptable area or in the area for which it has been released. If due to some reasons (for
lack of isolation or to avoid soil born diseases) it is grown in nonadaptable areas it should be
restricted to one or two seasons and the basic seed i.e. nucleus and breeder seed should be
multiplied in adaptable areas.
2. Mechanical Mixtures: This is the major source of contamination of the variety during seed
production. Mechanical mixtures may take place right from sowing to harvesting and
processing in different ways such as;
a. Contamination through field – self sown seed or volunteer plants
b. Seed drill – if same seed drill is used for sowing 2 or 3 varieties
c. Carrying 2 different varieties adjacent to each other.
d. Growing 2 different varieties adjacent to each other.
e. Threshing floor f. Combine or threshers g. Bags or seed bins
h. During seed processing
To avoid this sort of mechanical contamination it would be necessary to rogue the seed
fields at different stages of crop growth and to take utmost during seed production,
harvesting, threshing, processing etc.
3. Mutations: It is not of much importance as the occurrence of spontaneous mutations is
very low i.e. 10-7. If any visible mutations are observed they should be removed by rouging.
In case of vegetatively propagated crops periodic increase of true to type stock would
eliminate the mutants.
4. Natural Crossing: It is an important source of contamination in sexually propagated crops
due to introgression of genes from unrelated stocks/genotypes. The extent of contamination
depends upon the amount of natural cross-fertilization, which, is due to natural crossing
with undesirable types, offtypes, and diseased plants.
On the other hand natural crossing is main source of contamination in cross-fertilized
or often cross-fertilized crops. The extent of genetic contamina tion in seed fields is due to
natural crossing depends on breeding system of the species, isolation distance, varietal mass
and pollinating agent.
To overcome the problem of natural crossing isolation distance has to be maintained.
Increase in isolation distance decreases the extent of contamination. The extent of
contamination depends on the direction of the wind flow, number of insects presents and
their activity.
5. Genetic drift: When seed is multiplied in large areas only small quantities of seed is taken
and preserved for the next years sowing. Because of such sub-sampling all the genotypes will
not be represented in the next generation and leads to change in genetic composition. This
is called as genetic drift.
6. Minor Genetic variation: It is not of much importance, however some minor genetic
changes may occur during production cycles due to difference in environment. Due to these
changes the yields may be affected. To avoid such minor genetic variations periodic testing
of the varieties must be done from breeder’s seed and nucleus seed in self-pollinated crops
Minor genetic variation is a common feature in often cross-pollinated species; therefore care
should be taken during maintenance of nucleus and breeder seed.
7. Selective influence of Disease: Proper plant protection measures much be taken against
major pests and diseases otherwise the plant as well as the seeds get infected.
(a.) In case of foliar diseases the size of the seed gets affected due to poor supply of
carbohydrates from infec ted photosynthetic tissue.
(b.) In case of seed and soil borne diseases like downy mildew and ergot of Jowar, smut of
bajra and bunt of wheat, it is dangerous to use seeds for commercial purpose once the crop
gets infected.
(c.)New crop varieties may often become susceptible to new races of diseases are
out of seed production programms. Eg. Surekha and Phalguna became susceptible to gall
midge biotype 3.
8. Techniques of the Breeder : Instability may occur in a variety due to genetic irregularities
if it is not properly assessed at the time of release. Premature release of a variety, which has
been breed for particular disease, leads to the production of resistant and susceptible plants
which may be an important cause of deterioration. When sonalika and kalyansona wheat
varieties were released in India for commercial cultivation the genetic variability in both the
varieties was still in flowing stage and several secondary selections were made by the
breeders.
9. Breakdown of male sterility: Generally in hybrid seed production if there is any
breakdown of male sterility in may lead to a mixture of F1 hybrids and selfers.
10. Improper Seed Certification : It is not a factor that deteriorates the crops varieties, but is
there is any lacuna in any of the above factors and if it has not been checked it may lead to
deterioration of crop varieties.
Maintenance of Genetic Purity during seed Production
Horne (1953) had suggested the following methods for maintenance of genetic purity;
1. Use of approved seed in seed multiplication
2. Inspection of seed fields prior to planting
3. Field inspection and approval of the Crop at critical stages for verification of genetic
purity, detection of mixtures, weeds and seed borne diseases.
4. Sampling and sealing of cleaned lots
5. Growing of samples with authentic stocks or Grow -out test
Various steps suggested by Hartman and Kestar (1968) for maintaining genetic purity
are as follows;
1. Providing isolation to prevent cross fertilization or mechanical mixtures
2. Rouging of seed fields prior to planting
3. Periodic testing of varieties for genetic purity
4. Grow in adapted areas only to avoid genetic shifts in the variety
5. Certification of seed crops to maintain genetic purity and quality
6. Adopting generation system
Safe guards for maintenance of genetic purity
The important safe guards for maintaining genetic purity during seed production are;
1. Control of seed source
2. Preceding crop requirement
3. Isolation
4. Rouging of seed fields
5. Seed certification
6. Grow out test
1. Control of Seed Source : The seed used should be of appropriate class from the approved
source for raising a seed crop. There are four classes of seed from breeder seed, which are
given and defined by Association of Official Seed Certification agency (AOSCA).
a. Nucleus Seed: It is handful of seed maintained by concerned breeder for further
multiplication. The nucleus seed will have all the characters that he breeder has placed in it
and it is of highest genetic purity. The quantity of nucleus seed is in kilograms.
b. Breeder Seed : It is produced by the concerned breeder or sponsoring institute or and
which is used for producing foundation seed. It is of 100% genetic purity. The label/tag
issued for B/s is golden yellow in color. The quality of breeder seed is assured by the
monitoring team constituted by the govt.
c. Foundation Seed: It is produced from breeder seed and maintained with specific genetic
identity and purity. It is produced on govt. farms or by private seed producers. The quality of
foundation seed is certified by certification agency. It has genetic purity of above 98%. The
certification tag or label issued for F/s is white in color.
2. Preceding Crop requirement : This has been fixed to avoid contamination through
volunteer plants and also the soil borne diseases.
3. Isolation : Isolation is required to avoid natural crossing with other undesirable types, off
types in the fields and mechanical mixtures at the time of sowing, threshing, processing and
contamination due to seed borne diseases from nearby fields.
Protection from these sources of contamination is necessary for maintaining genetic purity
and good quality of seed.
4. Rouging of Seed Fields: The existence of off type plants is another source of
genetic contamination. Off type plants differing in their characteristics from that of the seed
crop are called as off types. Removal of off types is referred to as roughing.
The main sources of off types are
a. Segregation of plants for certain characters or mutations
b. Volunteer plants from previous crops or
c. Accidentally planted seeds of other variety d. Diseased plants
Off type plants should be rouged out from the seed plots before they shed pollen and
pollination occurs. To accomplish this regular supervision of trained personnel is required.
5. Seed Certification: Genetic purity in seed productions maintained through a system of
seed certification. The main objective of seed certification is to make available seeds of good
quality to farmers. To achieve this qualified and trained personnel from SCA carry out field
inspections at appropriate stages of crop growth. They also make seed inspection by drawing
samples from seed lots after processing. The SCA verifies for both filed and seed standards
and the seed lot must confirm to get approval as certified seed.
6. Grow-out Test : varieties that are grown for seed production should be periodically tested
for genetic purity by conducting GOT to make sure that they are being maintained in true
form. GOT test is compulsory for hybrids produced by manual emasculation and pollination
and for testing the purity of parental lines used in hybrid seed production.

Agronomical principle for seed production

 1. Selection of suitable Agro-climatic Region
 Regions of moderate rainfall and humidity are much more suited to seed production.
 Dry sunny weather and moderate temperature for flowering.
 In wind pollinated crops, bright sunny weather with gentle winds, which cause an
even flow of pollen over the crop during flowering is conductive to the best
pollination and good seed set.
 In general, regions with extreme summer heat and very cold winters should be
avoided for seed production.
2. Selection of seed plot
 Soil should be fertile and soil texture of plot should be according to the requirement
of the seed crops.
 The seed plot should be free from volunteer plants, weed plants and other crop
plants.
 The soil of the seed plot should be comparatively free from soil – born diseases and
insect- pest.
 In the preceding season the same crop should have not been grown on this land.
 The seed plot must be leveled.
 It should be feasible to isolate the plot as per requirements of certification standards.
3. Isolation distance of seed crop
The seed crop must be isolated from other nearby of the same crop and other contaminating
crops as per requirements of certification standards.
4. Preparation of land
The land for the seed crop must be prepared well. Good land preparation helps in improved
germination, good plant stand establishment, destruction of potential weeds, for good water
management and for uniform irrigation.
5. Selection of variety
 The variety for seed production must be carefully selected.
 The variety should really be a high yielder,
 The variety should be adapted to the agro-climatic conditions of the region
 The variety should be resistance to biotic stresses, possessing desirable traits like
earliness, good grain quality, etc.
6. Seed
The seed used for raising a seed crop should be of known purity, appropriate class and it
must be obtained from an authorized official agency. The tag and seals of the seed bags
purchased are intact, the validity period should not be expired.

7. Seed treatment
Seed may be required seed treatment before planting, if they are not already appropriately
treated. Seed treatment can easily be given with the help of a revolving drum at the farm.
Depending upon the requirement one or more of the following seed treatments may be
given :
1. Chemical seed treatment
2. Bacterial inoculation for legumes
3. Seed treatment for breaking dormancy, etc.
8. Time of Planting
The seed crop should be sown at their normal planting time, or at their recommended date
of sowing. Depending upon the incidence of disease and pest date of planting may be
adjusted. At the time of planting there should be sufficient moisture for good germination.
9. Seed rate
Lower seed rates than recommended for raising commercial crop are desirable because they
facilitates rouging and inspection of seed crop.
10. Method of sowing
 The sowing of seed crop should be in rows because it helps in conductive effective
plant protection measures, rouging operations and field inspections.
 The most efficient and ideal method of sowing is by mechanical drilling.
 For hybrid seed production, planting of two parents namely female and male line has
to be done in a definite proportion of 4:2 or 6:2.
11. Depth of sowing
Depth of sowing is extremely important in ensuring good plant stands.
Small seed should be planted shallow, but large seeds could be planted a little deeper.
Similarly, by observing soil type and moisture conditions, depth should be adjusted.
12. Rouging
 “Removal of off-types (i.e. plants differing in their characteristics from those of the
seed crop variety), diseased plants, weeds, other crop plant at appropriate stage
from the seed production plot.”
 Adequate and timely rouging is extremely important in seed production, for
maintaining higher genetic purity.
 Rouging in most of the field crops may be done at the following stages, depending
upon the needs of the seed crops.
 Vegetative /pre-flowering stage
 Flowering stage , Maturity stage / before harvesting
13. Supplementary pollination
Provision of honeybees in hives in close proximity to the seed fields of crops, largely cross-
pollinated by insects, ensure good seed sets and there by greatly increase seed yields.

14. Weed control

Good weed control is a basic requirement in producing good quality seeds. Weeds may
cause contamination of the seed crop in addition to reduction in yield. Presence of weed
seed at the time of crop harvest leads to mixing of weed seed with crop seed. It is difficult to
remove the weed seed during the processing of seeds. The presence of weeds in the seed
field or near by area may serve as a host of many disease and pest. As a general rule, the
weeds must be kept at minimum and in any cases must not be allowed to flower or set seed.
15. Disease and Insect control
Successful disease and insects control is another important factor in raising healthy crops.
The quality of seeds from diseased and insect damaged plant is poor and seed yield will be
reduced. Therefore, proper plant protection measures should be taken to control insect-
pests and diseases.
16. Nutrition
Nutrition play an important role in proper development of plant and seed.
It is therefore, advisable to know and identify the nutritional requirements of seed crops and
apply adequate fertilizers. Adequate fertigation results in maximum yields, good quality and
better expression plant type which facilitate rouging and there by helps in maintaining
higher genetic purity as well.
17. Irrigation
 Drier region are more suitable for good quality and disease free seed production.
 In such region irrigation is essential to obtain good seed yields.
 The irrigation may be required before planting and at interval up to flowering.
 Then one to two irrigation beyond flowering are desirable for many seed crops.
 In general, lighter soils need more frequent irrigation than heavy soils.
 Therefore, as and when crop required moisture, irrigation must be given.