Principles of Quality Seed Production

Abstract

Plant breeding and seed technology are the two arms of crop improvement programmes. The ultimate goal of any plant breeding programme is to make available quality seeds of new improved varieties in adequate quantity to farmers. Modern plant breeding techniques have enabled the development of crop varieties with desired traits at a much higher pace than ever before, addressing the challenges of food and nutritional security. A large number of new crop varieties are being bred continuously to address specific needs viz. productivity, quality, tolerance against abiotic and biotic stresses, cropping intensity, etc. However, to the farmers, all these scientific achievements would be of little use unless they have access to seeds of these varieties, which are genetically pure, physiologically sound (germination, vigour), free from physical impurities and seed-borne diseases. The pace of progress in food production largely depends upon the speed with which a country is able to multiply quality seeds of high-yielding varieties. Hence, the quality seed supply chain must be supported by desired policy and technically sound systems both in national and international domains. In order to achieve this, every country needs a well-established infrastructure for seed production, quality assurance, storage and marketing. Similarly, the regulatory framework for the variety testing, release and notification, and regulation of the seed market are also important to preserve the interests of the farming community. Successful seed production requires establishing variety identity, adherence to maintaining variety purity, and the application of good farming practices along with careful management of crops, following widely accepted production technologies, and quality standards.

Research on Multilateral Collaboration Strategies in Agricultural Seed Quality Assurance

“…In the production phase, seed companies may opt to produce high-quality seeds, establishing a reputable brand image, gaining trust from farmers and agri-businesses, and realizing sustainable development 8 . However, driven by complex economic conditions and market mechanisms, like cost-benefit analysis, insufficient market regulation, and information asymmetry, they might also choose to produce counterfeit and substandard seeds 9 .…”