Seed Sci. & Tech.

Course description: Formation of the seed, seed filling and seed maturity; Environmental conditions necessary for production of high quality seed; Seed dormancy and seed germination; Laboratory and field germination; Improved varieties as inputs to agriculture; Establishing a successful seed production mechanisms; Production of Breeder, basic and certified seeds; System of seed quality control; Seed certification; Optimum storage conditions to maintain seed quality; Seed processing, treatment and marketing,

Objective:

1. To give students background to the study for seed quality attributes for seed production and certification in the formal seed sector and other systems and services, e.g., gene bank and informal as well as in emergency situations.

2. To give advanced knowledge about the role of seed viability in the process of seed germination, as well as application of physiological knowledge of seed germination in agricultural and industrial operations.

3. To deepen knowledge on optimum conditions for growing and managing a seed crop to ensure maximum seed quality while minimizing seed quantity losses.

4. To deepen the understanding of the factors that influence seed deterioration so that students are able to manage seed quality while the crop is still in the field, post-harvest handling and in
storage.

Course contents:

1. Introduction: Definitions; Seed Science & Technology - Importance, & goals;  Seed formation, development and maturity.
2, Seed production and supply system - formal and informal

3. Seed dormancy and germination

4. Introduction to seed testing, Seed sampling and Seed quality analysis; 5, Seed germination, viability and seed vigour testing

 6. Effect of Seed moisture content on seed quality; Seed longevity and deterioration; 7. Seed health testing

8. Seed enhancement for improving agricultural production

9. Principles of seed production

10. Seed quality control in respect to production, supply systems, and other services

11. Variety testing, registration, approval and protection

12. Seed Processing, 13. Seed treatment, 14. Seed storage 

15. Seed Marketing

Practicals :

Seed sampling; seed testing of crops (genetic purity, physical purity, germination, seed viability, seedling vigour and seed health testing); variety testing, releasing and notification procedure for varieties; floral biology of crops; rouging of off-types; seed production of crops, methods of hybrid seed production in important crops; seed extraction techniques; post harvest handling of seed; processing and seed testing equipments.

 Visit to seed processing units; seed testing laboratory and seed production farms. Field tour to Seed Enterprise/Company: Seed production, seed processing & treatment, and seed marketing system and management.

Evaluation: Test (2 x) : 30% ,

 Report: 10% ,

Assignment : 10% ,
Final exam: 50%

     References:

•      Agrawal, P. K. and Dadlani M. (Eds.). (1992). Techniques in Seed Science and Technology. South Asian Publ., New Delhi

•      Agrawal, R. L.  (1980). Seed Technology. Oxford & IBH Publishing Co. New Delhi, India

•      Bendell, P. E. (Ed.). (1998). Seed Science and Technology: Indian Forestry Species. Allied Publ.

•      References mentioned during classes held