9695983941

SEED
TECHNOLOGY
 9695983941

SEED
Seed is defined as the
fertilized, mature ovule
consisting of an embryonic
plant together with a store
of food (endosperm), all
surrounded by a protective
seed coat.
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 9695983941

POLLINATION
AGENT TERM
The mature anthers dehisce Wind Anemophily
and release pollen-grains Water Hydrophily
Insects Entomophily
which are transferred from Birds Ornithophily
to stigma of same flower Snails Malacophily
(Self Pollination or Honeybe Mellitophily
e
Autogamy) or to another Wasps Waspophily
flower is (Cross Pollination Flies Myophily
or Allogamy.) Moth Phalaenophily
Bats Chiropterophily
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FERTILIZATION
The process of fusion of male and female gamete is known as
fertilization.
Structure of Embryo sacs consists of 7 cells and 8 nuclei. It has 2
ends:
Micropylar end: Have 2 synergids and one egg cell
Chalazal end: Have 3 antipodal cells
There is one central cell which have 2 polar nuclei or secondary
nuclei.
All the cells in embryo sac are haploid, only polar nuclei is diploid.
9695983941
 9695983941

SEED STRUCTURE
❖The radicle is the embryonic root.
❖The plumule is the embryonic
shoot.
❖ The embryonic stem above the
point of attachment of the
cotyledon(s) is the epicotyl.
❖The embryonic stem below the
point of attachment is
the hypocotyl.
❖Hilum: A scar remaining on the seed at the place of its detachment from 9695983941

the seed stalk.

❖Micropyle: Opening of the ovule through which the pollen tube enters
prior to fertilization.
❖Pericarp: Outer covering, ovary wall. It may be thin and fused with the
seed coat as in maize, fleshy as in berry or hard and dry as in pods of
legumes.
❖Funicle or funiculus: Stalk of the ovule which attaches the seed to the
fruit wall or pericarp.
❖Tigellum: Embryos have an embryonal axis or main axis.
❖• Cotyledons: Reserve food material in dicot species Eg: legumes. In
monocots, there is single cotyledon which is called Scutellum.
9695983941
 9695983941

EMBRYO
The embryo is an immature plant from which a new plant will
grow under proper conditions. Based on embryo, seed can be
categorised into monocot and dicot.
MONOCOTS DICOTS
Embryo having one cotyledon Embryo having two cotyledons
Eg: Grains, (wheat, corn, rice, Eg: Legumes (pea, beans, lentils,
millet) lilies, daffodils, sugarcane, peanuts), daisies, mint, lettuce,
banana, palm, ginger, onions, tomato and oak
bamboo.
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 9695983941

ENDOSPERM
Based on endosperm, seed may be endospermic or non endospermic

ALBUMINOUS/ EXALBUMINOUS OR NON

ENDOSPERMIC SEED ENDOSPERMIC SEED
These are the seeds where the In this type, the endosperm is
endosperm still persists after completely consumed during
development till maturity. development. At maturity, seeds of
Most monocots have these species have no endosperm and
albuminous seeds. are termed exalbuminous seeds.
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 9695983941

➢Endospermic Monocots: All cereals (Maize, Barley, Wheat,

Rice), Onion
➢Endospermic Dicots: Castor, coffee, cotton, fenugreek
➢Non Endospermic Dicots: All legumes ( Pea, beans, gram,
groundnut), tamarind, mango, mustard, sunflower, jackfruit
➢Non Endospermic Monocots: Pothos sp., Vallisnaria sp.
❑Coconut is the liquid endosperm.
 9695983941

Based on the type of germination, seed may be:

Hypogeal germination Epigeal germination

Type of germination of seed in Type of germination in which
which the epicotyl elongates and cotyledons emerge above the soil
the cotyledons remain below or by elongation of hypocotyls and
on the surface of the ground. generally become green.
Ex: Mostly all monocots, gram , Ex: Bean, Lilium, rajma, papaya,
pea, pigeonpea, groundnut, castor, cotton, cucumber, onion,
maize, coconut, arecanut, black gourds, tamarind, soybean,
pepper, coffee, sugarbeet sunflower, guar, etc.
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Based on storage behaviour, seed may be:

ORTHODOX SEEDS RECALCITRANT SEEDS
Remain viable for a long time at Seeds which lose viability quickly
low temperature and if moisture is when they are dried to moisture less
brought down to 5-8%. than 12% and at low temperature

Dessication tolerant seeds Dessication sensitive seeds

Can withstand freezing injury and Cannot withstand freezing injury and
dehydration dehydration
Able to undergo dormancy Unable to undergo dormancy
Ex: Most of the food crops, cereals. Ex: Forest and horticultural crops
Beans, peach, guava. Sapota, banana, (avocado, cacao, coconut, jackfruit,
cherry, apple, oil palm, etc. lychee, mango, rubber)etc.
 9695983941

SEED COAT
Seed coat consists of 2 layers which may be free or
united. Outer layer is Testa and Inner layer is Tegmen.
The seed coat (or testa) develops from the tissue, the
integument, originally surrounding the ovule.
The seed coat helps protect the embryo from mechanical
injury and from drying out.
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APPENDAGES OF SEED
[Link] - Paddy 2. Hilum - Pulses
 9695983941

3. Caruncle - Castor, Tapioca 4. Aril - Nutmeg

 9695983941

5. Hairs - Cotton 6. Wings - Moringa

 9695983941

SEED TECHNOLOGY

The science which deals with the production, harvesting,

processing , testing, storage and marketing of seed is known as
seed technology.
➢Father of seed technology: Dr. Robb Fraley
➢Father of seed testing: Fredrick Nobbe
➢Father of seed pathology: Paul Neergaard
 9695983941

CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD QUALITY SEED

1. It must be genetically pure
Genetic purity: The seed should be true to type. The seed should
possess all the genetic qualities / characters, which the breeder has
placed in the variety, genetic purity has direct effect on the yields.

CLASS OF SEED GENETIC PURITY

Nucleus seed 100%
Breeder seed 100%
Foundation seed 99.5%
Certified seed 99%
 9695983941

2. It should have the required level of physical purity.

Physical purity: Physical purity of a seed lot refers to
the physical composition of the seed lots.
A seed lot is composed of pure seed, inert mater, broken
seeds, undersized seeds, soil and dust particles weed
seeds, OCS etc.
Higher the content of pure seed, better would be the seed
quality
 9695983941

Crop Minimum physical purity(%)

Carrot, Coriander , Cumin 95
Okra, Watermelon, and 99
other cucurbits
Groundnut 96
Rapeseed and Mustard, 97
Sesame, Ragi, Sorghum,
Soybean, Jute, Millet
All other crops 98
 9695983941

3. It should be free from other crop seeds. These are the plants
of cultivated crops found in the seed field and whose seed are so
similar to crop seed that is difficult to separate them economically by
mechanical means. They cause physical admixture with the crop seed
only when these crop mature approximately at the same time when
seed crop matures.
Crop Designated inseperable other crop seed
Barley Wheat, oats, gram
Wheat Barley, oats, gram
Oats Wheat, barley, gram
 9695983941

4. It should be free from objectionable weed seeds

Crop Designated objectionable Weeds
Berseem Chicory(Chicorum intybus)
Cucurbits Wild Cucurbita sp.
Kasuri methi Melilous sp.
Lettuce Wild lettuce(Lactuca sativa)
Bhendi Wild Abelmoschus sp.
Rape &Mustard Argemone mexicana
Wheat Convolvulus arvensis(Hirankhuri)
Paddy Wild paddy (Oryza sativa var. fatua)
 9695983941

6. It should be free from designated diseases.

Crop Designated disease Crop Designated Disease
Anthracnose leaf blight
Wheat Loose smut Chilies
Leaf blight
Sorghum Grain smut Cucurbits Mosaic
Mustard Alternaria blight Cowpea Anthracnose
Pearl Grain smut, Green
Bhendi Yellow vein mosaic
millet ear, Ergot
Brown rot
Sesame Leaf spot Potato
Root knot nematode
Early blight
Brinjal Little leaf Tomato
Leaf spot
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7. It should have good shape ,size ,colour, etc., according to

specifications of variety
8. Should have high physical soundness &weight
9. It should posses high physiological vigour and stamina
10. It should posses high longevity and shelf life
11. It should have optimum moisture content for storage.
Long term storage - 8 % & below
Short term storage - 10-13%
12. It should have high market value.
 9695983941

SEED
DORMANCY
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SEED DORMANCY
Seed dormancy is defined as failure of viable seed to germinate at
specified length of time in a set of environmental conditions, later
evoke germination when the restrictive state of seed is removed
naturally or artificially.
It is the resting stage of the seed, and it delays germination of the
seed.
Unfavourable climatic conditions like temperature, variation and
lack of water leads to seed dormancy.
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TYPES OF SEED DORMANCY

1. True dormancy/primary dormancy/innate dormancy: Due to
chemicals/ anatomical features of seed.
Endogenous dormancy: The reason for dormancy is present within the
embryo. It may be due to incomplete embryo development or presence of
an inhibitors present within the embryo.
Exogenous Dormancy: Dormancy is due to some features of the seed
located outside the embryo. It may be due to impermeability of seed coat to
water or gases as seen in family Malvaceae, Leguminoseae, Lilaceae or
presence of inhibitors present in seed coat/endosperm.
 9695983941

2. Enforced dormancy/imposed dormancy/quiescence/

secondary dormancy: Due to unfavourable environmental
conditions. It includes:
Thermo-dormancy: Temperature requirement for germination
Skoto dormancy: Light requiring seeds exposed to darkness
Photo dormancy: Prolonged light quality
Osmotic solutions: Germination is prevented by high osmotic
strength.
Lack of Oxygen: Interference of gaseous exchange - Paddy.
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DORMANCY BREAKING TREATMENT

➢Scarification: Treatment either physical or chemical
which weakens or softens the seed coat. It is most
applicable for Malvaceae and Leguminaceae group of
seeds
• Acid Scarification: Conc H2SO4 @ 100 ml/kg of seeds for
2-3 minutes.
• Mechanical Scarification: Seeds are rubbed on a sand
paper or mechanical scarifier or puncturing on seed coat
with needle to enhance moisture absorption by seeds. Ex:
Bitter gourd - sand scarification
• Steam Scarification: Seeds are treated with boiled steam
for 15-20 min.
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Stratification: This treatment is given when the dormancy is due to the

embryo factor.
Cold Stratification: Incubation of seed at low temperature of
0-5°C for 2-3 days to several months.
Warm Stratification: Some seed are treated at 40-50°C (Paddy - few
days/Oil palm-2 months) with seed moisture not more than 15%.
 9695983941

➢Hot water Treatment: Most efficient in case of

leguminous tree crop seeds. Seeds are soaked in boiled
water for 1-5 min to 60-80 min.
➢Leaching of Metabolites (Inhibitors): The seeds are soaked in water for 1-3 days but
once in 12 hours water is changed to fresh water. This soaking will leach out the
inhibitors. Eg. Coriander (Coumarin), Sunflower (Hydrocyanic acid).
➢Temperature treatment
• Low Temperature: Temperate and cooler climate crop seeds require a period for
breaking dormancy. Ex: Apple 5°C.
• High Temperature: The seed shed in early summer and do not germinate until they
have been exposed to heat during summer Ex: Blue bell (Hyacinthoides nonscripta).
 9695983941

➢Light and Phytochrome: Red light promotes

germination where as far red light affects germination.
Promotor vs Inhibitors
• GA3 – stimulates germination
• Cytokinin – stimulates germination
• ABA - inhibitor - prevents germination .
➢Infra-red radiation treatment can be used to relieve dormancy.
➢Pressure treatment by keeping seeds in autoclave for breaking dormancy.
➢Magnetic Seed treatment by keeping the seeds in magnetic field for 1-10 days to
overcome dormancy.
 9695983941

Generation system of seed multiplication

a. Three - Generation model
Breeder seed - Foundation seed - Certified seed
b. Four - Generation model
Breeder seed - Foundation seed (I) Foundation seed (II) - Certified seed
c. Five - Generation model
Breeder seed - Foundation seed (I)- Foundation seed (II) -Certified seed (I) -
Certified seed (II)
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CLASSES OF SEED
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Particulars Nucleus seed Breeder seed Foundation Certified seed

seed
Description Initial seed of an Progeny of nucleus Progeny of Progeny of
improved seed breeder seed. foundation
variety which is Also known as seed.
always limited mother seed.
in quantity.

Produced by By originating By original or National Seed SSCA or NSC

plant breeder sponsoring plant corporation
breeders
Genetic 100% 100% 99.5% 99%
purity
 9695983941

Particulars Nucleus seed Breeder seed Foundation Certified seed

seed
Physical 100% 100% 98% (2% inert 98%
purity matter)
Certification Not required Not required Required and Required
undertaken by
(SSCA)
Tag colour No tag Golden yellow White Azure blue
Label colour- Label-
opaline green opaline green
Tag size - 12 x 6 cm 15 X 7.5cm 15 X 7.5cm
 9695983941

REGISTERED SEED
• Registered seed shall be the progeny
of foundation seed that is so handled
as to maintain its genetic identity and
purity according to standard specified
for the particular crop being certified.
• It should be of quality suitable to
produce certified seed.
• A purple colour certificate is issued
for this category of seed.
 9695983941

TRUTHFULLY LABELED SEEDS

▪ This type of seeds does not come under the purview of the
Department of Seed Certification.
▪ Category of seeds produced by private companies.
▪ This kind of seeds are tested only for its physical purity and
germination. Genetic purity is not guaranteed in this.
▪ Labelling is compulsory but certification is voluntary.
• Tag colour is opale green and size is 15 X 10cm.
 9695983941

SEED
GERMINATION
 9695983941

GERMINATION
Emergence of normal seedlings from the seeds
under ideal conditions of light, temperature,
moisture, humidity, oxygen and nutrients.
GERMINATION TEST:
It indicates ability of seed to develop into
normal plants under optimum field conditions.
It is expressed in percentage.
 9695983941

Germination: Emergence of normal seedlings from the seeds under ideal

conditions of light, temperature, moisture, humidity, oxygen and nutrients.
Seed germination is the first step of plant growth. The first stage of seed
germination is Imbibition. Water causes swelling and softening of seed so that
embryo develop and their growth comes out through seed coat.
Cardinal temperature: The temperature range over which germination
occurs may be called as maximum, optimum and minimum temperature.
Base temperature: The temperature below which germination cannot start.
Ceiling temperature: The temperature above which above which germination
cannot start.
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Germination
Sl.
Crop Minimum
No.
Percentage
1 Maize 90
2 Wheat, Barley, Oat, Rapeseed, Mustard, 85
Chickpea
3 Paddy, Safflower, Niger, Lucerne, Jute, 80
Berseem, Linseed, Sesame
4 Green gram, Blackgram, Pigeonpea, 75
Lentil, Khesari, Pea, Millets, Sorghum,
Cowpea, Frenchbean
5 Groundnut, Soybean, Cabbage, Radish, 70
Brinjal, Tomato, Onion, Methi
 9695983941

Germination
Sl.
Crop Minimum
No.
Percentage
6 Cotton, Okra, Cauliflower, Sunflower, 65

7 Chilly, Cucurbits, Carrot, Palak, 60

Sugarbeet

8 Grasses (Napier grass, Ginny grass) 15-20

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PHOTOBLASTISM
• The phenomenon of response i.e, improvement or suppression of
germination by exposure to light is known as Photoblastism.
• Seeds which show positive response to light in germination by
exposure to light is known as positively photoblastic. Eg: tobacco,
lettuce.
• Seeds showing negative response to light in germination is called
negatively photoblastic. Eg: onion, nigella, and lily.
 9695983941
Seed multiplication ratio (SMR): It is the number of seeds to be produced
from a single seed when it is sown and harvested.
Potato 1:4 (Lowest)
Groundnut 1:8 (Second lowest)
Chickpea 1:10 to 1:12
Soybean 1:16
Wheat 1:20
Blackgram, Greengram, Cowpea 1:40
Cotton 1:50
Paddy 1:70 to 1:80
Maize, Fingermillet, Red gram, Sorghum,Rapeseed, Jute 1:100
Bajra 1:200
Ragi 1:80 to 1:100
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ISOLATION DISTANCE
CROP F.S (m) C.S(m)
SP crops: 3 3
Cereals and millets
• Paddy, Wheat, Ragi
Pulses
• Soybean 3 3
• Greengram, Blackgram, Bengalgram, 10 5
Cowpea, Lablab
Oilseeds
Groundnut 3 3
 9695983941

CROP F.S (m) C.S(m)

Vegetables
• Tomato 50 25
• Clusterbean, peas, frenchbeans 10 5
• Lettuce 50 25
• potato 5 5
Often cross pollinated crops:
Millet
• Sorghum variety 200 100
• Sorghum hybrid 300 200
Pulses
• Redgram 200 100
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CROP F.S (m) C.S(m)

Oilseeds
• Sesame 100 50
• Cotton (Variety) 50 30
Vegetables
• Brinjal 200 100
• Chillies, okra 400 200
Cross pollinated crops
Maize(Varieties) 400 200
Bajra variety 400 200
Bajra hybrid 1000 200
Sunhemp 200 100
 9695983941

CROP F.S (m) C.S(m)

Castor 300 150
Sunflower variety 400 200
Sunflower hybrid 600 400
Cross pollinated crops
Cabbage, Beetroot, Radish 1600 1000
Cauliflower/ Cucurbits 1000 500
Onion 1000 800
Carrot 400 200
Amaranthus 1000 500
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SEED CERTIFICATION
▪ Seed certification is a legally sanctioned system for quality
control of seed multiplication and production.
▪ It is done by the SSCA or NSC.
▪ Validity period for certification is for a period of 9 months
from date of testing the samples.
▪ The seed can be revalidated if it meets the required seed
standards (for 6 months).
 9695983941

INTERNATIONAL SEED ANALYSIS

CERTIFICATE
It was introduced in 1931 at the request of International Seed Trade
Federation (FIS).They greatly facilitate the international trade of seed,
because the buyer of seed can rely on the results reported on the certificates

CERTIFICATE RELATED TO TESTING

Orange Seed lot In the same country by the
member station
Green Seed lot In another country by a member
station
Blue Seed sample In the same country by the
member station
 9695983941
Seed act was passed on 29th December ISTA founded 1924
1966
Seed act came into 2nd October 1969 National seed policy 2002
force throughout the
country on
Seed act was amended 9th September Swedish Seed 1886
on 1972 Association formed in
National Seed 1963 Seed Rule 1968
Corporation (NSC)
State seed certification 1969 Essential Commodities 1955
agency Act
National seed program 1975 Seed year celebrated 1993
during
 9695983941

National seed project 1976 PPV&FR act 2001

launched by ICAR in formulated in
International Seed Day 26 April PPV&FR act came 2005
into force in
Seed control order was 1983 (NSC) New Seed Bill 2004
passed in formulated in
(this replaced seed
act 1966)
First UPOV seed act 1978 New Seed Bill was 2005
effective from
Second UPOV seed act 1991
 9695983941

SEED VIABILITY TEST

TETRAZOLIUM TEST- TZ TEST
• Lakon (1942) in Germany developed a rapid method for
estimating the germination capacity of seeds.
• It is a biochemical test, in which living cells are made visible by
reduction of an indicator dye 2,3,5 triphenyl tetrazolium chloride.
This will accept hydrogen from dehydrogenases and a red stable
and non-diffusable substance, triphenyl formazan in living cell.
This makes it possible to distinguish red coloured living parts of
seeds from the colourless dead ones. Completely stained seeds
are viable partially and completely unstained seed are non-viable
 9695983941

GADA TEST
GADA Test stands for Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase
Activity test
In this test, glutamic acids are used , which result in evolution of carbon
dioxide.
Rate of carbon dioxide evolution is dependent on the activity of
decarboxylase present within the seed.
High rate of CO2 evolved per gram of seed per hour indicate the viability of
seed lot.
It is most suitable for monocots like wheat and maize than dicot.
 9695983941

SEED VIGOUR TEST

Seed Vigour: Sum of those properties of the seed which determine
the level of activity and performance of the seed lot during
germination and seedling emergence.
➢Accelerated ageing test
➢Cold test: for maize, cotton, sorghum and soybean seeds
➢Brick gravel test
➢Paper piercing test: for small sized seeds
➢Exhaustion test
 9695983941

➢Cool germination test: in Cotton

➢Hot water test: in Maize
➢ATP test
➢RQ test
➢Membrane integrity(MI) test: Also called leaching test.
VARIETAL PURITY TESTS
KOH Bleach test: for Sorghum
NaOH test: for Wheat
Peroxidase test: for Soybean
Phenol test: for Wheat
 9695983941

SEED PROCESSING
It is the process of narrow down the level of heterogeneity of the seed lot using
suitable processing methods. It is done by eliminating the undersized, shrivelled,
immature, ill filled seed using appropriate sieve size.
1. Size: Based on size it can be separated with air screen cleaner cum grader.
2. Length: Disc or Indented cylinder separator.
3. Weight: Specific gravity separator.
4. Shape: Spiral separator or Draper separator for round and flat seeds.
5. Surface Texture: Dodder mill.
6. Colour: Electronic colour separator.
7. Electrical conductivity: Seed differing in their ability to conduct electrical
charge can be separated with electronic separator.
 9695983941

SEED PROCESSING EQUIPMENTS

1. Thresher- To remove the seeds from the inflorescence especially in cereals
2. Ginning machine- To separate the lint and seed from kapas in cotton
3. Maize sheller- To shell the seed from the cobs
4. Pulse thresher- To remove seeds from the pods
5. Tomato seed extractor- To extract tomato seed from fruit without wasting
the pulp
6. Chilli seed extractor- For easy removal of seed from chilli fruits
7. Groundnut decorticator- To shell the kernel (seeds from the pods)
 9695983941

8. Sunflower thresher- For removal of seeds from the head

9. Debearder- To remove the awns form (Barley) the seed
10. Mechanical scarifier- To scarify the hard seed mechanically to
improve the germination of seeds
[Link] mill- To remove webby hairs from grasses
[Link] bumper mill- To remove weed seed from timothy seed
13. Hammer mill- To remove the hook or apendages from the seeds
14. Driers- To reduce the moisture content to lower or needed level for
safe handling both for processing and for storage at the final stage
 9695983941

15. Cleaner cum grader- This homogenize the precleaned seed

based on size and is known basic grading in seeds. The sieve
sizes requirement varies with crop
16. Precleaner aspirator- This removes the inert material and
dust particles from seed and improve the grading efficiency
17. Specific gravity separator- Improve the quality of graded
seed further using its weight of specific gravity.
18. Indent cylinder – In lengthier seeds it maintains the size of
seed (breadth and length).
 9695983941

SEED TREATMENT
Seed treatment refers to the application of fungicide, insecticide, or
a combination of both, to seeds to disinfect them from seed-borne
or soil-borne pathogenic organisms and storage insects. It also
refers to the subjecting of seeds to solar energy exposure,
immersion in conditioned water, etc
TYPES OF SEED TREATMENT
1. Seed disinfection: Seed disinfection refers to the eradication of
fungal spores that have become established within the seed coat, or
in more deep-seated tissues.
 9695983941

2. Seed disinfestation: Seed disinfestation refers to

the destruction of surface-borne organisms that have
contaminated the seed surface but not infected the seed
surface. Chemical dips, soaks, fungicides applied as dust,
slurry or liquid have been found successful.
3. Seed Protection: The purpose of seed protection is to
protect the seed and young seedling from organisms in
the soil which might otherwise cause decay of the seed
before germination.
 9695983941

BENEFITS
• Enhances the germination percentage
• Enhances the speed and uniformity of
germination
• Improves the resistance towards water and
temperature stress
• Increases the shelf life of seed
• Highly suitable for small seeds
• Enhances the yield
 9695983941

SEED VILLAGE
A village, wherein trained group of farmers are involved
in production of seeds of various crops and cater to the
needs of themselves, fellow farmers of the village and
farmers of neighboring villages in appropriate time and
at affordable cost is called "a seed village".
Seed village concept is adopted in Andhra Pradesh and
Karnataka.
It is used to promote the quality seed production of
foundation and certified seed.