There are five classes of improved seed, viz.:
(1) Nucleus seed,
(2) Breeder seed,
(3) Foundation seed,
(4) Registered seed, and
(5) Certified seed.
A brief description of these classes of seed is presented below:
Class # 1. Nucleus Seed:
Nucleus seed is the initial seed of an improved variety which is always limited in quantity. It is produced by the originating plant breeder.
Main features of nucleus seed are given below:
(i) Production:
It is produced at the experimental farms of the concerned research institute or agriculture university, under the supervision of original plant breeder or sponsored plant breeder.
(ii) Purity:
It is genetically and physically cent per cent pure.
(iii) Certification:
For nucleus seed certification is not required.
(iv) Use:
Nucleus seed is used for the production of breeder seed. It is not meant for general distribution.
Class # 2. Breeder Seed:
Breeder seed is the progeny of nucleus seed or breeder seed. It is produced under the strict supervision of original or sponsoring plant breeder at the research farm of the concerned Crop Research Institute or Agricultural University.
(i) Production:
Breeder seed is produced in isolation from other varieties. The isolation distance differs from species to species.
(ii) Purity:
Breeder seed is genetically and physically cent per cent pure. The genetic purity is maintained by proper roguing.
(iii) Certification:
Certification is not required for breeder seed. The seed plot is inspected by a monitoring team which consists of original or sponsored plant breeder and one representative each from National Seeds Corporation and State Seed Certification Agency.
(iv) Use:
Breeder seed is used for the production of foundation seed. It is not meant for general distribution.
Class # 3. Foundation Seed:
Foundation seed is the progeny of breeder seed.
Its main features are given below:
(i) Production:
It is produced by the National Seeds Corporation under the strict supervision of research scientists and experts from NSC. Production of foundation seed is taken up at the seed multiplication farms of government, research farms of ICAR Institutes and Agriculture Universities and also on cultivators’ fields. Proper isolation distance is adopted for the production of foundation seed which varies from crop to crop.
(ii) Purity:
Foundation seed is genetically cent per cent pure. However, physical purity of 98% is permissible. The remaining 2% includes inert matter.
(iii) Certification:
In case of foundation seed, certification is required which is undertaken by, State Seed Certification Agency.
(iv) Use:
Foundation seed is used for the production of certified seed. It is not meant for general distribution.
Class # 4. Registered Seed:
Registered seed is the progeny of either foundation seed or registered seed. In India, registered seed is generally omitted and certified seed is produced directly from the foundation seed.
The main features of registered seed are given below:
(i) Production:
It is produced at the farms of progressive cultivators according to technical advice and supervision of National Seeds Corporation.
(ii) Purity:
It has 100% genetic purity. However, the physical purity of 98% is permissible.
(iii) Certification:
This class of seed also requires certification which is undertaken by State Seed Certification Agency.
(iv) Use:
Registered seed is used to produce certified seed or registered seed. It is also not meant for general distribution.
Class # 5. Certified Seed:
Certified seed is the progeny of either foundation or registered or certified seed.
Its main features are given below:
(i) Production:
It is produced on the fields of progressive farmers under the strict supervision of State Seed Certification Agency. This work is also taken up by the NSC, if required. Proper isolation distance is adopted which varies from species to species.
(ii) Purity:
It has genetic purity of 100% and physical purity of 98%. The other crops seeds, and weed seed should not be more than prescribed standards which vary from species to species.
(iii) Certification:
This class of seed requires certification which is undertaken by the State Certification Agency. For certification, the seed must meet rigid requirements of purity and germination.
(iv) Use:
Certified seed is available for general distribution to the farmers for commercial crop production.
The comparison of breeder, foundation and certified seeds is presented in Table 40.1.
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