The farmers’ produce is mainly dependent on the quality of seed they use. Seed is one of the cheapest primary inputs for raising crops. The researchers conduct many types of research and experiments, focusing on seed and its quality to obtain higher crop production. These improved quality seeds need to reach farmers.
Thus, to make the quality seeds accessible to the farmers, the seeds undergo various stages for multiplication.
Quality Seeds (click to check the seed properties)
Meet minimum genetic purity
Have good germination
Free from infection of seed-borne disease and stored grained pests.
Not contain impurities
Nucleus Seed
Nucleus seeds are the initial pure seeds that are only available with the breeder. They are raised under strict supervision and isolation to maintain genetic purity, avoiding any type of contamination. The original vigor of the parental variety is maintained by these nucleus seeds.
Breeder Seed
The breeder seeds are the progenies of the nucleus seeds. Their physical and genetic purity is to be 100 per cent. Generally, these seeds are obtained in one stage. But in case, these are insufficient due to the low multiplication ratio, they may be collected under 2 stages. The breeder stages I and II may help to meet the demands, in which Stage I becomes the source for the II.
These seeds may be produced by the original breeder, sponsored breeder on Agricultural University farms and rarely, on government farms. The seeds are then inspected by a team of crop breeders to meet the required standards. After a successful verification, breeder seed tags are signed by the concerned breeder and tagged with golden colour.
Foundation Seed
These are obtained from the nucleus or the breeder’s seed. These seeds are not as pure as the nucleus or breeder seeds.
The seeds are produced on seed multiplication farms of State Agricultural Universities, government farms, Taluka Seed Farms, and Seeds Corporations. After a successful inspection of the Seed Certification Agency, the seeds are certified as Foundation Seeds. Thereafter, processed and tested seed bags are tagged with awhite-colouredd label.
Registered Seed
Seeds rose from the nucleus, breeders or foundation seeds are the Registered Seeds. They are grown and maintained under selected progressive farmers or registered seed growers, under NSC's (National Seed Corporation) technical advice and supervision. These seeds are genetically pure. The seed bags are labeled with a purple color tag.
Certified Seed
The progeny of registered or foundation seeds are the certified seeds. The certified seed plots are inspected by the seed certification agency from the crop's initial growing stage to harvesting. After processing, the seed samples are drawn by the seed certification officer and sent to STL for a test. When the seeds meet the prescribed standards, further they are labeled with a blue colour tag.
