Seed Quality: Variety Development to Planting—An Overview

The importance of availability of quality seed of high-yielding varieties in achieving food security has been recognized globally. The chapter presents an overview of the activities and requirements of seed production system globally, with an emphasis on quality, and highlights the linkages between variety development and seed production programmes. The seed development in angiosperm through the process of fertilization has been briefly touched and understanding the processes underlying pollination, fertilization, seed development, and maturation, which are vital for production of quality seed, has been highlighted. System of variety development and release, maintenance of variety purity during seed multiplication, and their importance have been enumerated to benefit those associated with any seed programme. Seed quality parameters including physical and genetic purity, physiological quality, seed vigour, and health, along with factors determining seed quality, have been presented in a holistic manner. Regulatory mechanism for seed quality assurance including steps in seed certification, seed testing and various field and seed standards has been outlined comparing the Indian system with other major international systems working globally. Procedures for seed health testing and application of advanced molecular marker technologies for varietal identity, genetic purity of seed and detection of seed-borne pathogens, which are becoming increasingly relevant in the present seed scenario, have been discussed. Fundamentals of seed processing for quality upgradation, and improvement of seed quality through enhancement technologies, have been explained. The chapter presents an overview of the importance of seed quality, its indicators, regulations, systems of development of varieties and their maintenance and use of modern tools and techniques for assurance and enhancement of seed quality.