Seed Production

The benefits of using quality seed are following:

• Minimization of seed/seedling rate i.e. fast and uniform emergence of seedling
• Higher germination and minimal gap filling
• Less infestation of land with weed seeds/other crop seeds
• Vigorous establishment and less disease and insect problem
• Responds well to the applied fertilizer and nutrients
• Uniform in plant population and maturity
• Prolongs life of a variety
• Gain yield prediction is very easy
• 15-20% higher grain yield
• Easy handling in post-harvest operations
• High return per unit area
• Better value-added products
• High produce value and their marketability

2.1. Seed quality characteristics

The main criteria for describing seed quality are:

2.2. Seed lot characters

The farmers should follow the following activities step by step for successful seed production - (3.1.) Upholding seed standards (3.2.) Develop a seed production plan (3.3.) Seed preparation (3.4.) Plant establishment (3.5.) Crop management (3.6.) Harvest management (3.7.) Drying and storage (3.8.) Conditioning.

3.1. Step 1: Upholding seed standards

The purpose of seed certification is to maintain high quality and genetic purity of seeds of superior cultivars. Certified seed is high in genetic purity, high in germination rate, vigor and good quality (i.e., free from diseased, deformed, damaged or immature seeds).

3.1.1. Classification of seeds

• Nucleus seed: This seed is normally held by the plant breeder and not available to the farmers. It is the basis of the variety selected by the breeder from the individual plant, and all seeds remain true to the variety. The genetic purity of nucleus seed is 100%.
• Breeder seed: This is the seed of a new variety that has the highest purity, and produced, developed, controlled and provided directly by the breeder or his institute for further multiplication. The genetic purity of breeder seed is 100%. The color of breeder seed tag is golden yellow, and its size is 12cm x 6cm.
• Foundation seed: This is the progeny of the breeder seed, produced by trained officers of an agricultural station, seed co-operative, farmer producer organization (FPO), farmer producer company (FPC), or progressive/ trained farmers in conformity with regulated national standards and handled to maintain genetic purity and identity of the variety. Official standard of genetic purity of foundation seed by Assam Seed and Organic Certification Agency (ASOCA) is 98%. The colour of foundation seed tag is white and its size is 15cm x 7.5cm.
• Certified seed: This is the progeny of foundation or certified seed Stage I, handled to maintain sufficient varietal identity and purity, grown by selected farmers, farmer producer organization (FPO), farmer producer company (FPC) under prescribed conditions of culture and isolation, and subjected to field and seed inspections prior to approval by the certifying agency. Harvest from this class is used for commercial planting. Official standard of genetic purity of certified seed by Assam Seed and Organic Certification Agency (ASOCA) is 98%. The colour of certified seed tag is blue and its size is 15cm x 7.5cm

For seed to be certified, the fields must be inspected by a certifying officer at least three times, at vegetative, flowering and grain filling stages, and the seed must be submitted to seed testing laboratory for testing for purity, cleanliness and health. The composite sample is divided into three equal parts, and one part is sent for analysis to the zonal seed testing laboratory, the second part to the seed producer and third part may be kept by the Assistant Seed Certification Officer (ASCO) as a guard sample. The specimen tags of breeder seed, foundation seed and certified seed are presented below:

3.1.2. Seed testing

Seed samples are collected and submitted for laboratory analysis after drying and processing. Tests are conducted for physical and genetically purity of the variety, presence of weed seed, other crop seed, inert matter, other variety seed, germination and moisture content. Maximum size of seed lot is 20,000 kg and sample submission size for paddy is 400 grams for seed analysis. The testing report need to be completed within 30 days from the date of receipt of samples, unless the seed is subjected to such tests which requires more than thirty days for completion.

3.1.3. Seed legislation

Due to rapid development of agricultural production with introduction of hybrid varieties of maize, sorghum, pearl millet, dwarf wheat and paddy necessitated the enactment of Seed Legislation on December 29, 1966; the Seed Act was passed followed by Seed Rules in 1968. Both were adopted during 1969 by all the states of India, except Sikkim. The information of seed act 1966, seed control order 1983, new policy on seed development 1988, seed bill 2004 and seed bill 2019 are presented below:

• Seed certification agency: The Government of Assam has established an autonomous body Assam Seed and Organic Certification Agency (ASOCA) on January 1, 1985 under Seed Act 1966 – Registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 to carry out the certification process of foundation seed and certified seed.
• Grant of a certificate by the certification agency: Any person can apply to the certification agency for a certificate to sell, offering to sell, or keep seeds of any notified variety; and the agency may supply it if the seeds satisfy the minimum limit of germination and purity as specified. The validity of seed certification tag is for nine months from the date of test at the time of initial certification. The validity period could be further extended for another nine months provided on re-testing, seed conforms to the recommended standards in respect of physical purity, germination and insect/pest damage etc., for all seeds.
• Revocation of certificate: The Seed Certification Agency may cancel the certificate if the certificate holder fails to comply with the conditions or obtained it through misrepresentation. Seed inspector: The government appoints a seed inspector and defines the area within which such an appointee shall exercise his jurisdiction.
• Import and export of seeds: Any person can import or export seeds on condition that such seeds conform to the minimum limit of germination and purity, and that the container of such seeds bears, in the prescribed manner, the mark or label containing the correct particulars of those seeds. However, the imported seed lot has to be routed through ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR) for validating the purity. The directive of ICAR-NBPGR includes supervision and promote viable use of plant genetic and genomic resources of agri-horticultural crops and carry out related research; coordination of capacity building in plant genetic resources (PGR) supervision and policy concerns governing access and benefit sharing of their use, and molecular profiling of varieties of agri-horticultural crops and genetically modified (GM) detection technology research.
• For the production of certified seed, the seed growers/farmers should have to register with Assam Seed and Organic Certification Agency (ASOCA) and must follow its guidelines for certified seed production.

3.2.1. Creating a seed production calendar

• Determine the best date to plant. This information can be taken from local experience, scientists, agricultural advisors, and leading farmers in the district.
• Determine the time the variety takes from planting to harvesting.
• Most rice varieties take 60-65 days from panicle initiation to harvesting.
• Mark on the calendar the date of nursery sowing and when other operations need to be done (plowing, transplanting, rogueing, weeding, fertilizing, harvesting).
• Determine how much labor and equipment will be required at each step during the growing period.
• Pin the calendar at a prominent place to remind you when things need to be done.

3.3. Step 3: Prepare the seeds

The use of certified seed is a prerequisite for increasing the grain yield and successful production of a good quality crop. There are a few steps to be followed before planting the seed. The certified seed purchased must be used to grow the quality seed by the farmers for two years. To maintain the quality of purchased certified seed to be used for two years, the farmer should follow the seed production process. Seeds might be certified or purchased from a credible and trusted source, but a few simple steps will help to ensure that the seed being used is of the required quality.

3.3.1. Seed cleaning

The seed cleaning should be done in salt solution at a concentration of 200g common saltper litre of water. To check optimum concentration of the solution, put a potato/egg in solution, and go on adding salt till it floats. After that, seed should be poured into the prepared solution for cleaning. The light and diseased seeds, which float on the prepared solution, should be removed. The seeds settled at the bottom should be cleaned three times with plain water to remove any traces of salt that may hamper germination.

3.3.2. Seed treatment

3.3.3. Safety Precaution

Plastic gloves should be used while handling chemicals to avoid ill-effects on health.

3.4. Step 4: Plant establishment

3.4.1. Land selection and preparation

Fields that are used for growing certified seed must meet a number of criteria:

• Fields should not have grown the same crop in the previous year unless the crop was of the same variety planted for certification and met inspection requirements for varietal purity.
• Separation from other fields of the same variety by a ditch, levee or roadway or barren strip of at least 3 meters. Fields should be free from flooding and shade, and be relatively fertile. Upland area should be used for seed production in Assam.
• A well-prepared and leveled field aids rapid seed establishment and gives a uniform, healthy crop that can compete with weeds, uses less water and gives higher yields at a lower cost.
• A well-prepared seed bed has:
• Many small soil clods to give good seed-soil contact. This means that many of the soil particles and seed should be of similar size.
• No weeds
• Level and smooth soil surface after working.
• Well-constructed bunds with drainage lines inside the bunds or levees.

3.4.2. Preparing the field

• When possible, plow the field immediately after the previous harvest, especially if the soil is still moist.
• First or primary plowing: Use a disc or moldboard plow to kill weeds and incorporate trash at a depth of 10-15 cm, at least 30 days before planting.
• Second plowing: Plow across the field with the disc or tine harrow at least twice to produce small-sized soil clods. Second plowing should be 14-20 days before planting, and the last harrowing or puddling 7 days before planting at a depth of 5-8 cm.
• Repair bunds: Destroy rat burrows and repair any holes and cracks, and re-compact the bunds. Bunds should be at least 0.4m high and 0.8m wide.
• Leveling the field will give better water coverage, better crop establishment and better weed control. A level field should have 1cm slope per 100m length, and 1 cm side-slope.
• Puddling of rice field should be done at least 1-2 days before seeding to allow the water to clear when direct seeding.

3.4.3. Isolation distance management

The "isolation distance" between a seed crop of a particular variety and a crop of a different variety is a space separating the crops large enough to prevent cross pollination. A safe minimum isolation distance from neighboring crops of different inbred rice varieties is 3 meters. The larger the seed plot, the less the danger of out-crossing. The isolation distance is compulsory for certified/quality seed production by seed growers.

3.4.4. Time of planting

Planting the crop on time will help to produce a fast growing, uniform crop that will have higher grain yield and will be better able to compete with weeds and pests.

3.4.5. Establishment techniques

Transplanting is better than other approach for seed production. Transplanted crops can be established manually, either in rows or randomly, or by machine. The rice varieties suited to transplanting should not be direct-seeded for seed production. Seed production with rice varieties suited to direct-seeded can be done through direct seeding. Wet direct seeding of rice and dry direct seeding of rice is done through drum seeder, and seed drill, respectively.

3.5. Crop management

3.5.1. Weed management

Weeds compete directly with the rice plants and reduce rice yield. Each 1 kg dry matter of weeds is equivalent to 1 kg grain loss. Weeds cause most yield loss within the first 20-50 days after crop establishment. Weeding after panicle initiation may also be important to prevent weed-seed shedding in future crops.

3.5.1.1. Cultural management

• Plowing and harrowing in fallowshould be undertaken at least 10-14 days apart or after rain.
• Good land leveling reduces weed growth because most weeds have trouble germinating under water.
• Only recommended varieties should be selected for seed production.
• Use clean rice seed which is free of weed seeds.
• Apply permanent water at early stage - weeds cannot germinate under water.
• First hand weeding begins within 2-3 weeks after establishment, and the second in another 2-3 weeks.
• Weeding should be done before fertilizer application.
• First hand weeding should be done 25-30 days after transplanting
• Second weeding, 45-50 days after transplanting, would further reduce weed intensity.

3.5.1.2. Using herbicides

• Identify the weeds correctly and use the appropriate herbicides as recommended on the label.
• Pre-emergence herbicides are applied 2-3 DAT (days after transplanting) in 3-5 cm standing water in transplanted rice, or within 2-3 days after sowing (DAS) of DSR crop, before emergence of weeds.
• Post-emergence herbicides are applied after 15-25 DAS in DSR or 15-25 DAT in transplanted crop after draining out standing water, when the weeds attain 2-4 leaf stage.
• Herbicides are poisonous; if they are not used properly, they can cause health and environment problems. Label them clearly and keep them out of children’s reach.
• Always use protective clothing when spraying.
• Do not wear raincoat as this increases sweating.

The list of herbicides to be used is presented in below table.

DAT= Days after transplanting

Given below are some of the recommended herbicide-combinations. Depending on weed-flora, follow the application timing and doses as per above table:

• Pretilachlor (PE) fb* Bispyribac-Sodium (PoE)
• Pretilachlor (PE) fb* Bispyribac-sodium + Pyrazosulfuron (PoE)
• Pretilachlor (PE) fb* Bispyribac-sodium + Pyrazosulfuron (PoE) fb * Spot hand weeding

fb*: followed by

3.5.2. Water management

Water availability largely determines the potential yield of a crop. To continue growth, a crop requires water supply similar to or a little above evaporation. In an efficient system, each 1 kg of rice seed produced will require a minimum of 2000 liters (2 m³) of water. Good water-control increases crop yields as well as seed quality and improves the efficiency of other inputs such as fertilizer, herbicide, and pesticides.

Water quality

Good quality water is necessary to maximize crop growth. In some parts of Assam, iron is found predominantly in irrigation water. To reduce the intensity of iron problem, irrigation water needs to be passed through the long grassy channels allowing the water to oxidize either by trampling, releasing the ducks in rice fields. Applying undecomposed cow dung or potassium can also decrease the intensity of the iron toxicity problem. The practices that increase the water use efficiency in the main field are depicted below:

• Use organic fertilizer (manure, compost, straw, husk, plant leaves) whenever possible especially in nurseries and incorporate into the soil. Use 3-1-2 g N-P₂O₅-K₂O + 2000 g manure per m² i.e., equivalent to 3-1-2 kg N-P₂O₅-K₂O + 2 tons manure in 1000 m² of nursery area for one-hectare main field.

  When?	What?	How much? (g/m²)	How much? (g/m²)	How much? (kg/1000 m²)	How much? (kg/1000 m²)	Application method
  When?	What?	Through DAP	Through SSP	Through DAP	Through SSP	Application method
  Basal (Same day as sowing)	Manure	2000	2000	2000	2000	Soil incorporation
  Basal (Same day as sowing)	Urea	5.6	6.5	5.6	6.5	Soil incorporation
  Basal (Same day as sowing)	DAP	2.2	-	2.2	-	Soil incorporation
  Basal (Same day as sowing)	SSP	-	6.3	-	6.3	Soil incorporation
  Basal (Same day as sowing)	MOP	3.3	3.3	3.3	3.3	Soil incorporation

• Apply fertilizeraccording to soil type and expected yield. As a guide, a 2 t/ha yield in a clay-loam soil will requires 20 kg N and 5 kg P. Sandy soils may require another 10-15 kg K. These recommendations should be doubled for a 3 t/ha expected yield.
• For transplanted rice, fertilizer recommendation per hectare is 60-20-40-5 N-P-K-Zn for Sali season rice and 60-30-30-5 N-P-K-Zn for Boro/early Ahu season rice in Assam. The base nitrogen dose is split into 3 equal applications - about 1/3rd as basal, 1/3rd at tillering, and 1/3rd at panicle initiation. Under submerged condition during Sali season, additional 20 kg N and 20 kg K₂O is applied 5-7 days after recession of flood water to facilitate regeneration, and boost recovery from flood-shock. 25 kg ZnSO₄ per hectare should be used once in 3 years in the same field.
• The detailed schedule and method of applying all nutrients in Sali season is given in the table below:

Stage of fertilizer application	Name of fertilizer	Fertilizer application (kg/ha)	Fertilizer application (kg/ha)	Fertilizer application (kg/bigha)	Fertilizer application (kg/bigha)	Application method
Basal (Same day at transplanting)	Urea	23.0	40.0	3.1	5.3	Broadcast & incorporate in soil at the time of field preparation
Basal (Same day at transplanting)	DAP	43.0	-	5.7	-	Broadcast & incorporate in soil at the time of field preparation
Basal (Same day at transplanting)	SSP	-	125.0	-	16.7	Broadcast & incorporate in soil at the time of field preparation
Basal (Same day at transplanting)	MOP	66.7	66.7	8.9	8.9	Broadcast & incorporate in soil at the time of field preparation
Basal (Same day at transplanting)	ZnSO4	25.0	25.0	3.3	3.3	Broadcast & incorporate in soil at the time of field preparation
Tillering (20-25 DAT), after first weeding	Urea	45.0	45.0	6.0	6.0	Broadcast
Panicle initiation (40-45 DAT), after second weeding	Urea	45.0	45.0	6.0	6.0	Broadcast
5-7 days after flood recedes	Urea	45.0	45.0	6.0	6.0	Broadcast
5-7 days after flood recedes	MOP	33.0	33.0	4.4	4.4	Broadcast

The detailed schedule and method of applying all nutrients in Boro/ early Ahu season is given in the table below:

• For production of healthy and vigorous seeds, foliar nutrition plays a major role. After first weeding and during flowering stage, foliar application of urea (2%) is beneficial.
• During milk stage, apply 0.5% potassium using 1.0% muriate of potash (KCl). Spraying 2% DAP results in higher seed yield with good quality seed.
• Do not apply urea at or after booting. It is too late and will not increase grain yield.
• Stop urea broadcast, in case bacterial blight symptoms appear.
• Apply zinc sulphate (ZnSO₄) in soils deficient in Zn, once in three years.
• As far as practicable, drain out standing water before fertilizer application.
• Keep the field weed-free, especially at early crop growth stage. Weeds do most damage in early crop stage. But later control is also important to prevent seed setting by weeds.

3.5.4. Rogueing

Rogueing is the removal of all off-types or mixtures of plants from the seed production field. Rogueing is extremely important to prevent pollen from off-type plants causing damage to the crop through cross-pollination. Plants with heterogeneous characters in a seed production plot are off-types.

Sources of off-types

• Volunteer plants from a previous crop.
• Natural out-crossing or mutation.
• Minor genetic variation in the seed used.
• Developmental variation.
• Mechanical mixtures during postharvest of the seed production.

Identifying off-types

Off-types can be identified by observing the characteristics of plants such as -

• Plants taller or shorter than most of the population.
• Plants with different colored leaves, sheaths or straw.
• Presence or absence of awns: If the existence of awns in a plant is different from the rest of the population, it is an off-type.
• Plants with earlier or later panicle emergence are off-types: Only plants that flower within 2-3 days should be kept.
• Angle of the flag leaf: If erect flag leaves are dominant in a crop, then horizontal or droopy leaves are off-types.
• Inconsistent size, shape or color of grain: If most of the panicles have long grains, then those with medium grains are off-types. If slender grains are dominant, then bold grains are off-types.
• Diseased or insect-damaged plants.

3.5.5. Pest and disease management

Rice crops should be checked regularly for insects and disease outbreaks. Control measures should only be adopted when pest number reaches an economic threshold level (ETL). Integrated pest management (IPM) is a sustainable approach of managing pests by combining cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health and environmental risks. Some examples of integrated pest management are presented in figure below. The integrated crop management is a better approach to control pests and diseases in the seed production field.

3.6. Harvest management

Care should be taken to ensure that the genetic purity of the seed crop is maintained, to avoid mixtures when harvesting more than one variety. The higher the quality of the seed, the greater the care is required in harvesting and threshing. Breeder seed is often hand harvested and threshed with a mechanical self-cleaning thresher, while the foundation and certified seeds can be harvested using reaper.

3.6.1. Pre-harvest

• Inspect the mature crop and remove any off-types prior to harvest.
• Inspect and clean all equipment prior to harvesting.
• Harvest only one variety at a time to avoid seed mixing.
• When more than one variety is being harvested, completely clean all equipment and shake-off all seeds hidden in your clothing and shoes.

3.6.2. Harvest

Check crop moisture levels: The optimal stage to harvest rice seed crop is between 20-25% grain moisture or when 80-85% of the grains are straw-colored and the seeds in the lower part of the panicle are in the hard dough stage.

• Reaper may be used for harvesting in the seed production field.
• Dry as soon as possible after harvest.
• Do not let the seed come in contact with the soil or water.

3.6.3. Threshing

Seed is separated from the panicle by impact or stripping from the panicle. This can be done either manually or by machine. Machines are more efficient at threshing high seed-moisture content but also have the potential to cause damage if not set correctly. Machine threshers are best used for seed at 20-25% moisture while manual threshing is easier when moisture content of seed ranges from 14-18%. Engine operated open-drum thresher can be used for threshing operation of seed varieties to avoid mixing, reducing cost and early threshing. For the large-scale threshing of paddy seed, the axial flow thresher with drum rpm of 500-600 should be considered. Before use for one rice variety to another rice variety, the covered threshing drum and sieve should be cleaned by air blower or vacuum compressor pump.

3.7. Step 7: Drying and storage

It is important to dry the seed as soon as possible after harvest, and store safely.

3.7.1. Drying

• Ensure that the panicles and grain do not touch the ground or lay in water during drying.
• Dry the seed within 24 hours of harvesting.
• Reduce moisture contents to 12% as soon as possible.
• Do not heat the seed above 42°C during drying.
• When sun-drying, turn or stir the grains at least once every hour to achieve uniform drying.
• Sun-dry on tarpaulins or clean drying pads, not on clay pads.
• Keep the thickness of the grain layer at 3-5 cm.
• On hot days, when temperatures go above 42°C, cover the seed during mid-day to prevent over-heating, and also cover the seed immediately if it starts raining.

Pre-cleaning

Where possible, clean the seed before drying.

3.7.2. Drying methods

Traditional drying systems are still practiced in many areas because of their low cost and ease of management.

These methods include:

• Sun-drying: This process is spreading seeds or grains in open under the sun, on mats and pavements.
• Mat drying: This method is used in small to medium-scale drying where threshed grains are placed on mats, nets, or canvas.
• Pavement drying: This is often used in large-scale drying for seed or grain collectors and millers, where grains are laid on pavements specifically made for drying.
• Field drying and stacking: This method is practiced for pre-drying of hand-harvested crops before threshing where farmers cut rice panicles in the field and stack them in small piles on top of the crop stubble.

In mechanical drying systems, dryers are used to remove water from wet grains by forcing either ambient air or heated air through the grain bulk. Different types of dryer such as batch dryer , flat batch dryer, columner dryer and solar bubble dryer may be used for drying.

• Extra drying cost and harvesting loss, if paddy is harvested wetter than necessary.
• Spoilage, if the seed is too wet in storage.
• Extra drying cost and loss of quality, if paddy is dried too far.

3.7.4. Pest control before storage

Disinfesting the storage system

Disinfestation requires a systematic and thorough cleaning of all sources of infestation before storage.

Storage containers, structures and equipment can be treated with application of Neem Azal 1% @ 2-3 ml/L or NSKE 1500 ppm @ 3-5 ml/L.

All second-hand bags should be examined, and wherever necessary, treat them with either a fumigant, insecticide, or dip in boiling water. Solutions of Neem Azal 1% @ 2-3 ml/L or NSKE1500 ppm @ 3-5 ml/L can be used for dipping the bags. Aluminum phosphide @ 3 tablets per ton of rice grain or seed is used for storage.

3.7.5. Storage methods

The optimum moisture contents of rice seed stored up to 1 year is ˂12% but rice seed stored for more than one year should have optimum moisture content ˂ 9%. Seeds can be stored safely for extended periods, if it is:

• Protected from insects and rodents.
• Restricted from reabsorbing moisture either through rain or the surrounding atmosphere.
• Sealed in hermetic systems at low oxygen levels to control insects and maintain germination potential for longer periods.

Seed storage facilities take many forms depending on the quantity of seed to be stored, the purpose of storage, and the location of the store. Storage can be through bags, in bulk, or hermetic containers.

Hermetic storage: In this system, seed is stored in an airtight container so the moisture content of the stored seed or grain remains the same as when it was sealed. This system of storage can extend germination life of seeds, control grain pests, and improve head rice recovery. Examples includes (i) super bag, cocoon - commercially available. IRRI super bags are also available to the farmers at low cost, (ii) other locally available containers which are useful in rural settings, and can be easily converted into hermetic storage systems.

Stacking of seed bags: The following point should be considered for stacking of seed bags: (i) Seed bags preferably be stacked on a wooden pallet (platform), (ii) Avoid steel hook on bags as it causes spillage of seeds, (iii) Leave alley (moving) space between stacks and walls for inspection or sampling, (iv) Only 50-60% space should be utilized for seeds and (v) New harvest should not be stored with old stock.

3.8. Step 8: Conditioning

Conditioning of paddy seed is very much essential. Seed processing plant should be used for processing of seed to maintain its quality. As per ASOCA, the processed seed through seed processing plant should be certified as foundation seed and certified seed. The following process is considering in the seed processing plant: (i) Seed should dry up to 12% moisture content before going for seed processing through the seed processing plant (ii) Cleaning (removal of dust, soil, straw and stones) through seed processing plant (iii) Grading (removal of non-seed and chaffy grain) through seed processing plant (iv) Gravity separator (removal of non-seed and broken grain) to get equal-sized quality seed through seed processing plant Malformed, discolored, germinated, broken or moldy seed in seed lots can severely impact seed quality, viability and vigor.

3.8.2. Seed grading

For commercial seed processing, seed should have uniform size and weight. A variety of commercial equipment can be used to achieve uniformity in seed size and shape. These include gravity tables, rotary screens, indented cylinders, and length graders.

3.8.3. Seed purity

Maintain seed purity by preventing mixture with other varieties, and contamination with other species.

3.8.4. Samples, and sampling of seeds

Soon after completion of the seed processing or after seed treatment, as the case may be, the Certification Agency shall draw a representative composite sample as per procedure specified in Seed Testing Manual. The quantity of seed samples so drawn shall be sufficient to provide three samples of the size of submitted sample. The composite sample is divided into three equal parts: one is sent for analysis to a notified Seed Testing Laboratory, the second to the seed producer, and the third is retained as a guard sample.

3.8.5. Seed analysis report

The Seed Testing Laboratory analyzes the seed samples in accordance with the prescribed procedure and delivers the Seed Analysis Report to the Certification Agency as soon as may be, but not later than 30 days from the date of receipt of the samples unless the seed is subjected to such tests which require more than 30 days for completion of the test.

3.8.6. Seed standards of genetic purity

All certified seed lots shall conform to the following Minimum Standards for genetic purity unless otherwise prescribed:

Grow-out test

The Certification Agency shall conduct grow-out test to determine genetic purity of a seed lot whenever it is a pre-requisite for grant of the certificate, and also on the seed lots where a doubt has arisen about the genetic purity. The grow-out test can be complemented by certain related laboratory tests. The grow-out test shall be conducted as per the procedure specified.

3.8.7. Recleaning, resampling and retesting

When a seed lot does not meet the prescribed seed standards, the Certification Agency, on the request of seed producer, may permit recleaning, resampling and retesting. The recleaning, resampling and retesting shall be permitted only once.

3.8.8. Seed standards for insect damage

A seed lot under certification shall not have apparent or visible evidence of damage by insects for both Foundation and Certified seed classes in excess of 1.0% for the seeds of maize and legumes, and 0.50% for the seeds other than maize and legumes, unless otherwise prescribed.

3.8.9. Seed moisture content

Seed standards in respect of seed moisture shall be met at the time of packing of seed.

3.8.10. Downgrading of seed class

If a seed field or a seed lot is not found meeting prescribed standards for the class for which it has been registered but conforms to the prescribed standards to the immediate lower class, the Certification Agency may accept such seed fields/seed lots for certification to the immediate lower class, provided the request has been made to this effect by the seed producer. However, downgrading of the seed class shall not be applicable in case of hybrids and their parents.

3.8.11. Specification of the certification

Packing, tagging, sealing and issuance of the certificate

• On receipt of Seed Analysis Report and the results of the grow-out test wherever prescribed, and if seed lot has met prescribed standards, the Certification Agency shall ensure packing, tagging, sealing and issuance of certificate expeditiously. An authorized official of the Certification Agency shall endorse the signature on the reverse of each certification tag and shall affix rubber stamp indicating the official’s name and designation. Containers to be used for packing of the certified seeds shall be durable and free from defects.
• Advance tagging may be permitted at the discretion of the Certification Agency with proper safeguards.

4. Official standards of Indian seed certification for paddy