Compilation & Editorial Board

Agarwal Dinesh K.

K.V. Sripathy

ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science (ISO9001 certified Institute)

Mau, Uttar Pradesh, India

Major Accomplishments : Quality Seed Production & Research

Correct citation

Agarwal Dinesh K., Sripathy K.V., Udaya Bhaskar K, Jeevan Kumar S.P. , Singh A.N. & Tiwari T.N.

2016. Major Accomplishments : Quality Seed Production & Research. ICAR-Indian Institute of

Seed Science, Mau 275 101 (U.P.) India

Published by

S. Rajendra Prasad

Director

ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science

Mau

Compilation & Editorial Board

Dinesh K. Agarwal

Sripathy K.V.

Udaya Bhaskar K.

Jeevan Kumar S.P.

A.N. Singh

T.N. Tiwari

Secretarial Assistance

Ramnayan

Major Accomplishments : Quality

Seed Production & Research

ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science (ISO9001 certified Institute)

Mau, Uttar Pradesh, India

P R E F A C E

Seed is prime input in the agrarian enterprise. There has been a quantum jump in food grain

production since independence, which could largely be credited to an extent the use of quality seed

of improved varieties/ hybrids along with other factors. Launching of AICRP – NSP (Crops) paved the

way for growth of Indian seed sector through a sea change in breeder seed production scenario of

the country. The breeder seed availability to the seed multiplication chain has improved the quantity

/ quality of seeds in subsequent generations that has catapulted the seed replacement among

different crops. This project has ushered significant positive impact on enhancing quality seed

production to aid seed security vis a vis food security.

AICRP-NSP (Crops) in close association with Indian Institute of Seed Science, Mau and its

other cooperating centres has generated a wealth of scientific information and user-friendly agro-

techniques aimed at diverse clientele of seed domain viz., Seed Production, Protection Measures,

Processing, Quality Enhancement etc. The present endeavour is a tribute to the accomplishments

made in the areas of quality seed production and research. I hope the compiled information would

be highly useful as ready reckoner for scientists and would be of tremendous value for policy

planners in terms of providing an insight into seed production and research in the country.

I gratefully acknowledge the dynamic leadership and path illuminating guidance received

from Dr. T. Mohapatra, Hon’ble Secretary DARE & Director General ICAR in fulfilling this task and I

hope that under his able stewardship, seed fraternity would further excel in the arena of seed

science research. Guidance and encouragement given by Dr. Jeet Singh Sandhu, Hon’ble Deputy

Director General (Crop Science) is also gratefully placed on the record. I also express my sincere

thanks to Dr. J.S Chauhan, ADG (Seed) for his valuable support. I also place on record my sincere

thanks to all the Nodal Scientists based in SAUs and ICAR institutes for making available the

information.

Indian Institute of Seed Science, Mau (S. Rajendra Prasad)

Date : 12.04.2016 Director

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In order to meet the growing demands for our

increasing likely population of 1.52 billion by 2030, food

production needs to be enhanced by at least 24.2% over

the production of 2013-14 (265.4 m t). Bridging the

existing yield gaps through use of quality seed of

improved varieties would be the key. The demand for

quality seed has consistently increased from 1.80 (2007-

08) to 3.44 million tonnes (2014-15) and is likely to grow

further including the demand for hybrid seeds and to

replace old with new high yielding varieties.

Seed is the numero uno input for productive agriculture, which determines the response of all other inputs viz.,

irrigation, fertilizer and plant protection chemicals etc. In the

significant advances that India registered in agriculture in the

last four decades, the role of the seed sector has been

substantial. Realizing the importance of seed and to keep

pace with evolving policy initiative on seeds by Govt. of India,

the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) launched

the All India Coordinated Research Project on seed “National

Seed Project” in 1979. Based on the overall progress and its

subsequent evolution and ever growing importance of seed in

modern agriculture, the ICAR further

upgraded the Project Coordination Unit

of then National Seed Project to the

status of the Project Directorate in X

Plan and named it as Directorate of

Seed Research (DSR). Directorate of

Seed Research started operating since

31 December 2004 from Kushmaur

village in the district Maunath Bhanjan,

UP. Having proven its contribution in a

decade long journey in the areas of

quality seed production and seed

technological research, council in its

Governing Body meeting in 2016 has further

upgraded the Directorate of Seed Research as Indian Institute of Seed Science. Indian Institute of Seed Science

(IISS) has made significant achievements in quality seed

production as well as research by conducting basic,

applied, strategic and anticipatory research and also in

effective coordination and monitoring of following

nationwide network projects, as envisaged in its

mandate:

AICRP – National Seed Project (Crops)

ICAR Seed Project: Seed production in

agricultural crops

Annual Oilseed Scheme

Indian Seed Scenario : Path of Glory

The developments in the seed industry in India,

particularly in the last 35 years, are very significant. A

major re-structuring of the seed industry by Government

of India through the National Seed Project Phase-I (1977-

78), Phase-II (1978-79) and Phase-III (1990-1991

strengthened the seed infrastructure that was most needed and relevant around those times. Introduction of

ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science

ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science

Major Accomplishments : Quality Seed Production & Research 1

Seeds are the platforms to deliver high end

technologies to the farmers. Various Seed quality

enhancement strategies including priming,

pelleting and coating has the potential to suitably

bolster the seed germination and vigour and

thereby culminating in better plant stand and

seed yield.

Seed is one of the precious input in farming. Saving

the quantity of seed used per unit area without

affecting the total productivity is a very important

researchable issue in resource constrained

situations. Experimenting different crop geometry

in tandem with growth hormones and different

doses of fertilizers, allows optimising the seed rate

per unit area while maximizing the quantity and

quality of farm output.

New Seed Development Policy (1988 – 1989) was yet another significant mile stone in the Indian Seed Industry,

which transformed the very character of the seed industry. The policy gave access to Indian farmers of the best

of seed and planting material available anywhere on the world. The policy stimulated appreciable investments

by private individuals, Indian Corporate and

MNCs in the Indian seed sector with strong

R&D base for product development. As a

result, farmer has a wide product choice and

seed industry today is set to work with a

‘farmer centric’ approach and is market driven.

The Indian seed industry, over the years, has

evolved by adopting and innovating upon

scientific advancements in variety development

and quality seed production. The Indian seed

industry, now the sixth largest in the world, has grown at a rapid pace of 18.8% over the period 2007-2013 and

reached US $ 2 billion in 2013 on account of rapid adoption of BT cotton hybrids, single cross corn hybrids and

hybrid vegetables. However, there is an urgent need for the State Seed Corporations also to transform

themselves in tune with the industry in terms of infrastructure, technologies, approach and the management.

Rising awareness among the farmers related to the benefits of using certified/ quality seeds has led to an

increase in the demand for seeds over the past few years. This has resulted in an increasing willingness among

the farmers to pay higher price for quality seeds.

ICAR- Indian Institute of Seed Science, Mau

Indian Institute of Seed Science (IISS) is the leading coordination unit of seed science research and

quality seed production in the country. At present IISS, Mau has a well established cadre strength comprising of

scientific staff representing plant breeding, seed technology and other allied disciplines which are well

supported by technical and administrative categories. Institute has developed excellent infrastructure, having

very well furnished administration unit, laboratories for Seed Physiology / Seed Testing/ Molecular work, Seed

Pathology and Seed Entomology, Library, ARIS Cell, Committee Room, Conference Room, Farmers Training Hall,

Guest House, Training Hostel and a good

number of Residential Houses. It also has a

well laid out farm with required farm

machinery, implement shed, threshing floor,

seed processing unit, seed store and green

houses.

Indian Institute of Seed Science (IISS)

has completed 10 glorious years of its

establishment with a good number of

achievements to its credit. Through its two

flagship programmes i.e. AICRP-NSP (Crops)

and ICAR Seed Project, it has been doing a yeoman service to the nation by ensuring the timely availability of

quality seeds of various classes and planting material of various agricultural & horticultural crops through its

network of collaborating centres spread across the length and breadth of the country. The increased quality

ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science

Major Accomplishments : Quality Seed Production & Research 2

Genetic Purity or the conformity to a varietal genetic constitution is the most important aspect of quality seeds. Genuineness of seed of a variety, has conventionally been established through heritable traits in laboratory as well as through Grow Out Test (GOT). GOTs are time, money and labour expensive. Molecular markers such as Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) can greatly overcome these shortcomings.

seed availability of new improved varieties has a direct bearing on total agricultural production of the country,

and thus in turn on food and nutritional security

of the nation. ICAR-DSR, Mau, despite

shouldering a large responsibility of an

important commodity like seed, is well aware

of its responsibilities towards its surrounding

and has been continuously striving to

enhance the productivity through region

specific production and protection

technologies, enhanced availability of quality

seeds and various capacity building exercises.

Research & Technology Development

Molecular characterization of CSHH 198 cotton hybrid along with its parents was done to assess the

genetic purity by using microsatellite SSR marker at genomic level. Three SSR markers showed

amplification of an allele, which was very specific and unique to a particular parental line and not

amplified in any other cotton parental line or hybrid tested.

Genetic purity testing of CSHH 198 cotton hybrid using SSR marker

Three patents have been filed for technologies for assessing the genetic purity of seed stocks :

179/DEL/2014- named “Three way matrix sampler” for carrying out three way sampling method for

assessing genetic purity of seed lot.

180/DEL.2014- named “Three Way Matrix Gun” for testing genetic purity of crop plants at hybrid seed

production field and identify the contaminants if any.

181/DEL/2014- named “Matrix Assisted Multirex Assay” for testing genetic purity of crop plants and

seed lot.

Seed enhancement technology for paddy seed under salt affected soil: The eastern region has a problem

of salt affected soils. The ICAR-IISS, Mau has been continuously working on making available the

technologies suitable for local needs. Priming of rice seeds with KNO3 (0.25% sol.) salt followed by seed

ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science

Major Accomplishments : Quality Seed Production & Research 3

coating with Polykote (@ 3ml/kg seed) + complete Hoagland solution (@ 5ml/kg seed) significantly

enhances the seedling vigour and other plant growth attributes.

Growth regulators priming in amelioration of salt stress in wheat: Growth regulators priming of wheat

seeds with GA3, IBA, Kinetin and Salicylic acid each in 100 ppm concentration separately, enhances the

seed germination, seedling dry weight, vigour index, plant height, number of tillers, total dry matter

production and finally the grain yield. Amongst the growth regulators, GA3 followed by kinetin were found

to be better in respect of all these characters.

Seed priming technology for enhancement of seed quality parameters in pegion pea (Cajanus cajan L):

Seed priming of pigeon pea seeds with GA3 @ 100 ppm and KNO3 @ 0.2% concentration for 12 h

significantly enhances seed quality parameters like germination, seedling length, dry weight and vigour

indices over unprimed control.

Regulation of source-sink relations through GA3 spraying to improve the seed yield in wheat: Spraying

of GA3 @ 100 ppm at the time of anthesis in standing crop of wheat significantly increases the biological

yield, test weight and grain yield over control.

Bacterial isolates from local

healthy rice rhizosphere have

been isolated for evaluation of

seed borne disease management

and seed quality enhancement of

rice. Isolated bacterial cultures

were evaluated for Phosphate

solubilization traits and one

isolate was found to have the

phosphate solubilization activities. Antagonistic effect of isolated bacterial cultures were evaluated on

Macrophomina phaseolina causing root rot of chickpea using dual culture technique and three isolates

were found effective against Macrophomina phaseolina. Similarly, five isolates were found effective

against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceri causing wilt of chickpea. In addition, 8 isolates were found

effective against Ustilaginoidea virens causing False smut of rice.

New packaging material “insecticide impregnated laminated bags” could maintain the insect infestation

below 0.5% up to 04 month of storage under ambient condition. Similarly, maize seed coated with

Flowable thiram (Royal flow 40SC) @ 2.4 ml/kg showed least deterioration in seed quality parameters

with HDPE inter-woven non laminated bags than the gunny bags after 02 month of storage. Insecticides

ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science

Major Accomplishments : Quality Seed Production & Research 4

Zero tillage or direct drilling is a method of cultivating

crops without disturbing the soil through tillage. It

saves the cost, labour and precious time particularly

when planting window between two crops in a

cropping sequence is very narrow. In Eastern U.P.

conditions, use of late sown long duration paddy

varieties at times leave very little opportunity for

timely sowing of wheat.

emamectin benzoate and spinosad have been found effective to restrict the insect damage below IMSCS

(0.5%) in wheat seed after 6 months of storage.

Considering the practice of

growing late maturing varieties

of rice and then planting the

varieties of wheat recommended

for timely sown condition under

the prevailing condition of late

sowing of wheat, farmers of the

region suffer a productivity loss.

To circumvent the problems the

recommendation of zero tillage

is being popularized so as to

reduce the time gap required for sowing of Rabi crop after the harvesting of Kharif crop.

Seed Village Scheme

In order to promote quality seeds for improving production and productivity, ICAR-IISS, Mau is implementing

the Seed Village Scheme sponsored by DAC&FW, GoI .

Objective:

To improve the quality of farmers saved seed through use of different seed enhancement techniques. To ensure the disease & insect free quality seed production by use of suitable plant protection

measures. To train the farmers about seed production technology through use of quality seed along with

improved package of practices for different seed crops.

2011-12 to 2015-16 1. Pigeon pea: Bahar, NDA-1, NDA-2, MAL-13 2. Paddy: MTU 7029, BPT 5204, Sarju-52, NDR-97, NDR-

359, IR-36, IR-64, HUR105, Rajendra Sweta, Pusa Sugandh-5, IPB-1, KN-3, KN 101, Pusa Basmati-1509, Pusa Basmati-4, Pusa Basmati—6, CR Dhananjay.

3. Mustard: Pusa Tarak, Pusa Bold, Pusa Vijay, Sweta, Rohini, Ashirvad, NDR 8501

4. Lentil: Sherry, IPL 406, IPL 81, HUL 57, NDL 1 5. Chick pea: Pusa 362, JG 11, JG 16, JG 16, Udai,

Avarodhi, DCP 92-3, Subhra 6. Wheat: HD 2967, HD-3086, HD 3059, HD 3118, HD 2733

HD 2932, PBW 621, WH 1105, WH 711, K 307, PBW 343, PBW 502, PBW 550, KRL 213, DBW 71, DBW 107, DBW 39, DBW 17, DBW 16, DPW 621-50, HUW 234, PBW 373, PBW 533, HD 2643, PBW 154, HI 1563, Unnat Halna, PBW 509, HI 1563& WR 544

Districts covered Mau, Ghazipur, Ballia, Azamgarh, Varanasi & Chandauli

No. of villages covered

2755

Area covered (acres) 50448.2

Seeds distributed (quintals)

18416.05

No. of farmers benefited

59,529

ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science

Major Accomplishments : Quality Seed Production & Research 5

Seed Sale counter

Before the onset of Kharif and Rabi season, breeder, foundation, certified and truthful seeds of the improved varieties of paddy , pigeon pea, lentil, chickpea field pea and wheat are being sold at seed sale counter at Indian Institute of Seed Science, Mau every year.

Crop cafeteria To enhance varietal replacement rate (VRR) and to create awareness among farmers of adjoining areas

about the new varieties of crops, a crop cafeteria of various Kharif and Rabi crops with different recommended and locally suited varieties are being raised every year at IISS farm. Considering 'seeing is believing', an overall face to face interaction with IISS scientists is proving very useful for farmers, rural youth and farm women.

Field view of paddy crop cafeteria

Kisan Mela & Extension activities

Indian Institute of Seed Science (IISS) has been organizing Kisan Mela at its premises every year. All

ICAR Institutes located in adjoining area in eastern UP, Department of Agriculture, Banaras Hindu University,

and other government/private agencies display their technologies through exhibition. Besides these, various

banks and NGOs also display information related to farmers’welfare. On the occasion of Kisan Mela, a

magazine with useful information for farmers titled “Prasar Patrika” is also released. Scientists interact with the

farmers and solve their farming related problems. A large number of farmers from eastern region of Uttar

Pradesh and students from different schools of Mau visit and get benefited from this function.

ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science

Major Accomplishments : Quality Seed Production & Research 6

DSR Scientists have been participating from time to time in the Goshthis organized by Agriculture Department

and organizations such as IIVR, Varanasi, BHU, Varanasi, ICAR- Central Potato Research Station, Patna and

NGOs such as NEFORD, Mau and have been putting the technology stall and seed sell counter. Throughut the

year number of farmers’training programme on and off the campus are also being organised to educate the

farmers with technologies on quality seed production, processing and storage.

Model Village Scheme

Five villages viz., Onhaich, Paniara, Bagali, Khiria, Kushmaur in the region have been exclusively

selected under the scheme for intensified extension activities. Various on and off campus trainings were

organized for farmers of these villages. Various techniques, line sowing of wheat, application of GA3 on wheat

crop, vermin-composting are demonstrated on farmer’s field in selected villages. Many progressive farmers are

also associated with institute through

participatory seed production.

Capacity Building

ICAR-IISS, Mau has been actively involved in

capacity buildings exercises for both national

and international clientele. In recent years it has

successfully organized international training

programmes on quality seed production and

certification for trainees sponsored by West

Africa Agriculture Productivity Programme

(WAAPP), trainees from ASEAN Countries and

two training programmes in collaboration with

International Rice Research Institute (IRRI),

Philippines. At national front, it has been

catering to the specific needs of various stake

holders in quality seed production such as

National Dairy Development Board (NDDB),

National Seed Corporation (NSC), Indian Farm &

Forestry Development Cooperative Ltd. (IFFDC) etc. In addition IISS, Mau has also been regularly organizing on

& off campus trainings for farmers, farm women and rural youth as a part of skill development for securing

rural livelihood.

All India Coordinated Research Project – National Seed Project (Crops)

The development of high yielding dwarf varieties of wheat and rice; hybrids in maize, bajra and

sorghum in early sixties was the landmark beginning for development of the seed programme in the country

leading to establishment of giant seed corporations like National Seed Corporation , State Seeds Corporations,

Seed Certification Agencies and implementation of Seed Act, Seed Standards etc. Indian Council of Agricultural

Research (ICAR) along with its partner - State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) came forward to shoulder the

responsibility of producing the breeder seed, which forms the backbone of the quality seed programme. The

World Bank assisted considerably in this endeavour for strengthening the Indian seed programme in the

country by launching NSP I in 1977-78 and subsequently NSP II in the following year. The ICAR launched an All

ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science

Major Accomplishments : Quality Seed Production & Research 7

Indent of breeder seed which was 29,491 q during 2004-05

showed steady increase and reached an all time high of

94,220 q, an increase of 219.4% during 2011-12. Since the

quality seed from the breeder seed thus produced is

available in the 3rd

year of its production, that resulted in

increased availability of quality seed from 1.94 m t (2007-08)

to 3.52 (2014-15), a staggering increase of 81.4%. The

increased availability of quality seed contributed to increase

in food production from 230.8 m t in 2007-08 to 265.4 m t in

2013-14.

India Coordinated Research Project on

seed called ‘National Seed Project’ in

1979-80 with 14 centres on Seed

Technology Research with an equal

number of Breeder Seed Production

centres. The seed programme of the

country was further strengthened with

NSP III (World Bank) in 1989-90, which

not only supported the ICAR and SAUs

but also Department of Agricultural

Corporation (DoAC), Seeds Corporations,

Seed Certification Agencies and Private

Seed Industries to a large great extent in

production, processing and in providing

quality seeds to the entrepreneurs.

At present, the Breeder Seed

Production (BSP) programme is

operating at 41 centres and Seed

Technology Research (STR) at 24 centres

under National Seed Project at various

SAUs and ICAR institutes across the

country. In addition to the responsibility of production of breeder seed of different varieties and parental lines

of hybrids, the production programme is also mandated to produce nucleus seed and to carry out research on

various aspects of seed technology like optimization of isolation requirements, genetic purity tests, seed

physiology, seed health care, processing, packaging, value addition, storage and marketing strategies.

Achievements under Breeder Seed Production

In augmenting growth of seed

sector, contribution of AICRP –NSP

(Crops) was phenomenal which has

led to sea change in the seed sector

as witnessed by increase from a

meager breeder seed production of

3914 quintals during 1981-82 to a

level of 124312 q quintals during

2014-15. Besides Breeder Seed

Production, many co-operating

centres also undertaking

maintenance breeding which is pre-

requisite for quality seed production.

The present level of breeder seed

produced in the country in adequate for downstream multiplication into required quantitative of foundation

ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science

Major Accomplishments : Quality Seed Production & Research 8

and certified seed targeting the desired strata of Seed Replacement Rate (SRR). The monetary value of breeder

seed produced during 2014-15 as per current breeder seed rate for different crops is Rs. 10738 lakhs.

*Data pertaining to 2015-16 is anticipated

Quality seed requirement of major crops

(Assumption: Gross cultivated area remains same, 100 % SRR and with 100% conversion factor)

Crops Gross cultivated

area (million

ha)

Seed Rate

(kg/ha)

Certified seed

requirement (000 tonnes)

SMR Foundation seed

requirement (000 tonnes)

Breeder Seed

Requirement (tonnes)

Breeder Seed Prod.

2014-15 (tonnes)

Surplus / Deficit in Breeder

seed(tonnes) at 100 % SRR

Rice 43.90 30.00 1317.00 80.00 16.46 205.78 4385.25 4179.47

Wheat 30.60 100.00 3060.00 20.00 153.00 7650.00 4769.86 -2880.15

Sorghum 5.70 12.00 68.40 100.00 0.68 6.84 155.51 148.67

Pearl millet 7.90 5.00 39.50 200.00 0.20 0.99 5.50 4.51

Maize 9.08 20.00 181.60 80.00 2.27 28.38 73.86 45.48

Pigeon pea 3.80 10.00 38.00 100.00 0.38 3.80 74.51 70.71

Chickpea 9.60 75.00 720.00 10.00 72.00 7200.00 602.36 -6597.64

Groundnut 5.50 100.00 550.00 8.00 68.75 8593.75 1175.81 -7417.94

R&M 6.60 5.00 33.00 100.00 0.33 3.30 31.66 28.36

Soybean 12.00 62.50 750.00 16.00 46.88 2929.69 921.80 -2007.89

Jute 0.70 5.00 3.50 100.00 0.04 0.35 1.19 0.84

Total 135.38 - 6761.00 - 360.99 26622.88 12197.31 -

ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science

Major Accomplishments : Quality Seed Production & Research 9

Breeder Seed Production among groups of crops during last 5 years

ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science

Major Accomplishments : Quality Seed Production & Research 10

Current levels of breeder seed production should be geared up in crops such as Wheat, Chickpea, Groundnut

and Soybean. However illustrated scenario is on the basis of obsolete Seed Multiplication Ratio (source:

seednet.in), but with advent of improved varieties (current levels of SMR) breeder seed requirement shall be

much less, provided that seed multiplication chain to be streamlined.

Thrust areas in Breeder Seed Production (BSP)

Production of adequate quantities of breeder seed as per national requirement.

Quality maintenance of nucleus and breeder seeds by employing dynamic maintenance breeding and rapid

genetic purity testing tools

To minimize mismatch in breeder seed production

Effectively ensure and monitor generation system of seed multiplication at national level through bar code

and QR coding module

Identification of suitable provenance for offseason seed production to compensate the effects of changing

climate

Networking for development of national database of DNA profiles for varietal identification

Harnessing the potential of rice fallows for seed production of oilseed and pulses

Identification of suitable seed provenance for institution of ‘National Seed Grid’

a. Soybean- Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh;

b. Groundnut- Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh;

c. Chickpea- Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh;

d. Pigeonpea- Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and

e. Lentil- Madhya Pradesh

Seed Technological Research

Under Seed Technology Research (STR) component technologies are evolved to solve various issues faced

by seed growers and seed industries. Some of the salient achievements of seed technology like optimization of

isolation requirements, genetic purity tests, seed physiology, seed health care, processing, packaging, value

addition, storage and marketing strategies are summarized below:

Identification of alternative seed production areas.

Maximization of Seed Yield

DNA Markers for Genetic Purity Assessment

Seed Enhancement techniques

Ensuring the seed health

Development of Seed Processing Standards

Technologies for Safe Storage of Seeds

Seed Production and Certification

Integrated approach for hybrid seed production developed

through interventions like nutrient & micronutrient

management, foliar spray, hormonal spray, sequential planting

of A-line, distance & barrier isolations, standard planting ratios,

planting windows, nicking techniques & supplementary

pollination strategies (Paddy, Sorghum, Maize, Pearlmillet,

Sunflower & Cotton)

Organic seed production package standardized (paddy, wheat, groundnut, soybean & fingermillet)

ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science

Major Accomplishments : Quality Seed Production & Research 11

Standardized micronutrient & cutting management for enhanced seed yield in various forage crops

Alternative area for hybrid seed

production of major crops

To mitigate the adverse effect of

climate change and also to further

boost the quality hybrid seed

availability in the country, alternative

areas for hybrid seed production among

major crops have been identified.

Mixed method of planting for male parent produced higher seed yield over conventional method in

hybrid paddy.

Ridge method of planting with RDF+ZnSO4 (10kg/ha) enhanced seed yield over plain sowing in wheat.

Under normal & late sown conditions in berseem, spray of Borax @ 100ppm & 2 % KNO3 @

reproductive stage increased seed yield.

SRI method produced better quality seed compared to conventional method in hybrid seed

production.

In north India, seed production of CSH 24F (multicut forage sorghum hybrid) can be takenup during

Kharif season (Ist

fortnight of June).

Ideal planting window (15th

June to 15th

August) for

sunflower hybrid seed production at Bengaluru

conditions.

Seed Physiology, Storage and Testing

Seed enhancement technology for pulses & forages standardized

Crops Pre-sowing Treatment Duration

Pigeonpea, sunflower, Maize and Groundnut

Seed hydration followed by dressing with Thiram @ 0.25 or Trichoderma @ 4 g/kg

17 h

Field crops Coating with polymer → fungicide→ Insecticide (or) Polymer → Vitavax 200

Pasture grasses Clay + Neem leaf powder (20g/kg)

Field crops, Mungbean, Cowpea, Hybrid Paddy & Maize; Sunflower inbreds

Super bags and HDPE interwoven non-laminated bags, Polylined gunny bags/ Polylined cloth bags/ HDPE bags

ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science

Major Accomplishments : Quality Seed Production & Research 12

Seed testing protocols developed and included in IMSCS, 2013

Optimized chemical and biochemical tests for varietal identification

Developed library of molecular marker IDs for genetic purity assessment

Crop /Varieties Marker Crop /Varieties Marker

Hybrid maize –

COH (M) 5

SSR marker

(UMC 1136)

Hybrid paddy

KRH 2

DRRH 2, DRRH-3

(RM 206 & RM 276)

(RM 204 & RM 228)

RM 228

Hybrid cotton

CSHH 198

CSHH 238

SSR marker

(CM 42, CM 43)

Sorghum, Hybrid Cotton,

Pearl millet &

muskmelon

SDS-PAGE of soluble protein,

Isozyme banding (Peroxidase)

KBSH 44

KBSH41 & 44

RAPD marker (OPK 14)

SSR marker (ORS-443)

KBSH 53 SSR marker (ORS-8113)

Crop Germination

Temperature

(oC)

Medium Moisture

Testing

First

count

Final

count

Cenchrus

ciliaris 25-30 Sand

1 h @ 130

±1oC

- -

True potato

seed 20/20-30 TP

1 h @ 130

±1oC

8 day 18 day

Methi 25oC BP - 4 day 7 day

Rice bean 30oC BP/S - 5 day 8 day

Cotton 25 or 30oC BP/S - 4 day 8 day

Crop Tests

Wheat, Paddy,

Pearlmillet

Phenol test

Sorghum KOH- bleach test

Wheat NaOH test

Soybean Peroxidase test

Cotton , Paddy SDS-PAGE of soluble protein and

globulins

Sorghum, P. millet SDS-PAGE of soluble protein and

esterases isozymes

Chickpea &

soybean

SDS-PAGE of soluble protein

ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science

Major Accomplishments : Quality Seed Production & Research 13

Developed seed vigour testing protocols

Seed dormancy breaking/inducing protocols were standardized

• Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) treatment @ 50 Hz

& 100 Hz improved vigour in tomato and green gram.

• Groundnut seeds (kernel) stored in polythene bags (700

gauges) with 20% CO2 (v/v) maintained quality for next

season.

Seed Pathology

New diseases with seed borne nature recorded

Crop `Vigour test

Sorghum AA at 80% RH & 40±1oC for 72 h - by germination test

Hiltner test (2.5 cm layer pebbles of 3mm & final

count @ 7 days at 30oC)

Wheat,

Soybean

AA at 80% RH & 40±1oC for 48 or 72 h - by germination

test

Conductivity of seed leachates

Cotton, Paddy AA at 80% RH & 40±1oC for 72 h - by germination test

First count of germination

Crops Dormancy breaking Crops Dormancy inducing

Paddy Dry heat (40-50oC): 2-3

days

Greengram 2 sprays of MH @ 250/500 ppm on 40

& 50 DAP

HNO3 (0.3N): 60sec. Valencia &

Spanish var. of

G’ nut

2 sprays of MH @ 1250 ppm on 60 &

90 DAP GA3 (500ppm): 24h

soaking

Sunflower &

Ground nut

Ethrel (50ppm):12h soaking, GA3 (50ppm)

Crop Disease Pathogen

Urdbean Leaf crinkle Urdbean leaf crinkle virus

Paddy Bacterial panicle blight Burkholderia glumae

cluster bean Bean Common Mosaic Common Mosaic virus

Maize false head smut Ustilaginoidea virens

ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science

Major Accomplishments : Quality Seed Production & Research 14

Standardized methods for detecting seed borne pathogen

Standardized physical method for management of seed infection

Crop Disease Method

Onion Purple blotch Heat treatment (35oC 8h)

Brinjal Phomopsis Blight Hot water treatment (50oC)

Management of seed borne diseases through Biopriming Standard blotter method in soybean

Crop Disease Pathogen Method

Maize, Onion,

Tomato,

Sesame,

Onion, G’nut

Purple blotch, Early

blight, Disease

Complex

Alternaria porri

Alternaria solani

Alternaria macrophomina

Disease complex

T. harzianum & Ps. fluorescens @

10g/kg @ 1:1 ratio

Wheat Loose smut Ustilago segatum var tritici Glyocladium virens # 4 plates/kg

+ Vitavax @ 0.25g/kg

Chilli Anthracnose C. capsici Vitavax (1.5g/kg) + T. harzianum

(5g/kg)

Crop Disease Pathogen Method

Cumin Blight of cumin Alternaria burnsii Seed Wash Technique

Maize Collar Rot Fusarium moniliformae

Standard blotter test at 25±2ºC for 7

days

Tomato, chilli Blight Alternaria solani

Chilli Anthracnose Colletotrichum capsici

Onion Purple blotch Alternaria porri

Soybean Collar rot Fusarium oxysporum

Cole crops Leaf spot Alterneria brassicae

Mustard Leaf spot Aklterneria brassicola

Paddy Bacterial panicle

blight

Burkholderia glumae King’s B medium incubated @ 28

oC 48h

Soybean Anthracnose and

other

Collectorichum dematium

& Macrophomina

phaseolina Deep freeze blotter method

Brinjal Soft rot Phomopsis vexcans

ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science

Control Bio-primed Over expression of

LMW protein

Major Accomplishments : Quality Seed Production & Research 15

Chemical seed treatments for management of seed borne diseases

Crop Disease Pathogen Method

Soybean Seedling

blight & BLB

Fusarium & Phytopthera

Xanthomonas oryzae

Thiram+ Carbandazim (3.0g/kg)

Ps. fluorescens (10 g/kg) and streptocycline (200

ppm)

Rice Dis. complex Fusarium, Ds. oryzae etc, Polycote + Fungicide + Insecticide

wheat Karnal bunt Tilletia indica Propiconozole @0.1% foliar spray

Mustard D. mildew Peronospora manshurica Apron 35 SD @ 2.5g/kg

Groundnut Storage fungi Aspergillus Bavistin + thiram (1:1) @ 2g/kg

Pearmillet D. mildew Sclerospora graminicola Apron 35 WS @ 4g/kg

Paddy Paddy bunt Tilletia barclayana Tilt @ 500ml/ha @ preflowering stage

Safflower Blight Alternaria carthami Thiram + Carbendazim/Thiram + Carboxin

(0.15% each)

Soybean Pod blight Collectotrichum

dematium

Carbendazim + Mancozeb @ 0.30% (PFS & PHS)

Seed Entomology

Standardized chemical treatments strategies for management of seed infestation

Crop Treatment Crop Treatment

Wheat, Maize,

Pearlmillet,

Sorghum.

Paddy, Pulses &

G, nut

Malathion 50EC@ 0.6 ml/kg &

Deltamethrin 2.8 EC @ 0.04

ml/kg seed & Diflubenzuron 25

WP @ 4 ppm

Deltamethrin 2.8 EC @ 0.04

ml/kg + Vitavax@2.5g/Kg

Wheat, Paddy

Pearlmillet,

Maize

Emamectin Benzoate@ 2ppm,

Spinosad@ 2ppm & Lufenuron @

2 ppm, Diflubenzuron @ 2ppm &

Deltamethrin @ 0.5 ppm

Pulses Chlorpyriphos Methyl @ 15 ppm,

Thiomethaxam 70WS@ 2ppm or

Bifenthrin @ 1ppm

Seed treatment with botanicals for management of storage insect pest

Crop Botanicals Dosage

Pulses

Mentha spicata (dry leaf powder)

10g/kg

Azadiractha indica (dry leaf powder)

Calotropis procera (dry leaf powder)

Sapindus trifoliatus (dry leaf powder)

Acorus calamus (dry rhizome powder)

Other crops

Azadiractha indica (dry leaf powder) 20g/kg

Sapindus trifoliatus (dry leaf powder) 10g or 15g/kg

Acorus calamus (dry rhizome powder)

Curcuma longa (dry rhizome powder) 5 g/kg

Chickpea Neemark @ 5ml/kg & neem dry leaf powder 5g/kg

Wheat Eco Neem 300ppm 5 ml/kg

Maize Nimbicidine 5ml/kg

ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science

Neem Leaf powder

Major Accomplishments : Quality Seed Production & Research 16

Optimized concentration of CO2 (50%) (v/v) against infestation for prolonged storage

Optimum bee colonies for enhanced seed set standardized

in S’flower, Berseem, Mustard.

Egg parasitoid Dinarmus vegabundus found effective in

managing pulse beetle

Light traps recommended for sampling for early detection of

storage insects

Paddy seed treated with insecticides and stored in super

grain bags controlled infestation in coastal regions

Combination of seed treatment (emamectin benzoate 5SG

@ 2ppm a.i.) and fabric treatment (emamectin benzoate 5SG@100ppm a.i.) effectively managed

infestation

Seed Processing

Standardized sieve sizes for seed grading in newly released varieties in Wheat, Paddy, Sorghum,

Pearlmillet, Barley, Maize, Chickpea, Pigeonpea, Cowpea, Greengram, Cotton, Soybean, Fingermillet

and Berseem (included in IMSCS, 2013)

Crop Variety/cultivars Screen size (mm)

Paddy Fine grain: PKV HMT, PKV Khamang, JGL 387, Sonalika & Suvarna 1.4 (S)

Coarse grain 1.6 (S)

Chickpea Chaffa, Vijay, Vishal, ICCV 10 and G 12 Bold seeded: Jaki, PKV Kabuli and G 5

5.0 (R)

5.5(O)

Pigeon pea C 11, ICPL 87119, AKT 8811 and BDN 2 3.6(R)

Wheat & Barley HPW 211, HPW155, HPW 251 & HPW 236 2.75 (S)

Sunflower hybrid KBSH 53 2.40 x 20 (S)

Sunflower Morden, surya, AKSF-9 2.3 (O)

Maize hybrid Nithyashree 4.76 x20 (S)

Safflower Bhima, Tara, Girnar, Sharda, N-7 2.4 (O)

Soybean MACS-13, PK 472, JS 80-21 3.6 (O)

Sorghum CSH-5, CSH-9, SPH-468, SPH-388 3.2 (R)

Mung TAP-7, TARM-2, TARM-18, K-581 2.8 (R)

Finger millet HR 911, indat 8, FR 202 1.2 (S)

Berseem Varieties 1.10 (S)

Crop CO2

Conc. (%)

Safe

storage

period

Crop CO2

Conc.

(%)

Safe storage

period

Paddy 40 12 months G’ gram, C’ pea,

Wheat, G’ nut

50 6-9 months

ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science

Major Accomplishments : Quality Seed Production & Research 17

Combine harvester & multicrop thresher drum speed & height of harvester blade standardized

Seed drying methods standardized

Crop Drying method Duration Crop Drying method Duration

Groundnut Sun drying 120 h Sunflower Heated air (40oC),

Bed thickness 5 cm 15

Sorghum Heated air (45oC) 6 h Soybean Sun drying 20

Needle separator is recommended along

with conventional processing line for

effective removal of infested seeds in

cotton.

Wet acid delinting of cotton seed

optimized (100ml H2SO4 /kg seed for10

min)

Innovative integration of Information Technology for enhanced efficacy in seed distribution & traceability

Dynamic database management for tracking breeder seed lot to ensure generation system of multiplication

To ensure the generation system of seed multiplication and calculating the conversion ratio of Breeder Seed-

Foundation Seed-Certified Seed & Truthfully Labeled Seed, the innovative approach of computerized bar-

coding of tags of breeder; foundation and certified seeds has been suggested by ICAR-Directorate of Seed

Research (DSR), Mau. It was discussed during Annual Breeder Seed Review Meeting and made as

recommendations to all Nodal officers of Network project from different SAUs and ICAR institutes for effective

implementation.

Crop Moisture

Content (%)

Drum speed of

multi crop thresher (rpm)

Soybean 12 Height of blade (5 cm) 500 with concave clearance of 6-8mm

Sunflower 14-15 720

Safflower 13 600

ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science

Major Accomplishments : Quality Seed Production & Research 18

Modality:

By putting in place a dynamic database management system for tracking breeder seed lots to ensure

generation system of seed multiplication.

Once bar-coding of seed tags of Breeder Seed, Foundation Seed & Certified Seed completed it would

help in tracking the seed distribution and supply

For Foundation Seed bar coding has to be done by NSC, SSC and for Certified Seed it is to be

implemented by state seed certification agency

Outcome:

Ensures maintenance of generation system of seed production

Real time identification of bottlenecks

Online trading - once linked with bank the payment could be done through online

Non- lifting of seeds could be traced and can be reduced (by real time intervention)

Effective and efficient system by saving manpower and time

Comprehensive information database to help critical decision making and contingency planning

Bar-coding of breeder seed tags has been implemented in different SAUs & ICAR Institutes viz., ICAR-IIMR,

Hyderabad; ICAR-CRIJAF, Barrackpore and MPKV, Rahuri.

ICAR-IIMR, Hyderabad MPKV, Rahuri

Implementation of QR code for tracking seed details for Jute and allied fibre crops by ICAR-CRIJAF, Barrackpore

ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science

Major Accomplishments : Quality Seed Production & Research 19

Kind of

seed

QR Code Information coded by

CRIJAF, Barrackpore

Information retrieved

using any QR code reader

Breede

r Seed

crop, variety, type of

seed, year & season,

producer, lot no, date

of testing, tag no

Jute, JRO 204 (Suren),

Breeder Seed,

2013K,CRIJAF, K-

2013/CRIJAF(B)-310, 01-03-

14, BS-2/-1294

Found

ation

seed

crop, variety, type of

seed, year & season,

producer, lot no.,

certificate no & date,

date of testing, validity,

tag no, source tag no of

breeder seed

Jute, JBO 2003H (IRA),

foundation, 2013K, CRIJAF,

DEC 13-25/09-00-147, Certi

No 5047, Test dt02-05-14,

dt 07-05-14, Val dt 01-02-

15,Cert/WBSSCA/3 No

8066621, Source tag BS-

1576

Automatic seed vending machine installed at TNAU, Coimbatore

ICAR Seed Project

After visualizing the achievements of AICRP –NSP (Crops) and realizing the importance of strengthening

seed production infrastructure facilities in the country, ICAR had launched ICAR seed project “Seed Production

in Agricultural Crops & Fisheries” during X five year plan with an outlay of Rs. 198.89 crores for 2005-06 &

2006-07 for field crops, horticulture and fisheries. The project has resulted in enhanced supply of seeds

including planting material and fish seeds.

Seed Production Achievements

Production of breeder seed in field crops has been increased from 62231 quintals during 2005-06 to

96582 quintals which shown 55.19 % increase over base year during 2014-15. Production of foundation seed

ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science

Major Accomplishments : Quality Seed Production & Research 20

during 2014-15 (86942 quintals) shown 67.43 % increase over base year i.e. 51925 quintals in 2005-06.

Whereas, certified/TFL seed production has increased from 96413 quintals during 2005-06 to 110501 quintals

during 2014-15 which accounts for 15 % increase over base year. With respect to participatory seed

programme, quality seed production increased from 32303 quintals during 2005-06 to 248269 quintals during

2014-15 registering 668 % increase over base year.

Quality seed production under ICAR Seed Project

Planting Material Production during last 10 years

Infrastructure creation

As strengthening seed production capabilities is principal objective, infrastructure pertinent to seed

realm is instituted in diverse cooperating centres across the country. Significant illustrations of the same are

viz. expansion of land resources under seed production, bringing unusable land into production activity by

means of land development, conception of irrigation facilities such as farm ponds, lined channels, sprinkler and

drip provisions for sake of assured irrigation. All most all centres were equipped with production machinery

viz. tractors, laser levelers, rotavators, transplanters, cultivators and other inter-cultivation equipments. Apart

ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science

Major Accomplishments : Quality Seed Production & Research 21

from which threshing yards, drying shed and seed godowns were established in most of the centres. In

reference to processing, state of art processing plants were instituted in a bid to augment seed quality. Mobile

seed processing units were also procured by cooperating centres to give a fillip to processing in rural areas

(community seed scheme). Equipments for seed quality assurance laboratory viz. seed germinator, hot air

oven, automated seed counters, seed moisture meter, PCR and minor instruments for seed sampling and

testing were procured. In addition, glass house / polyhouse and tissue culture facilities were established to

cope with vegetative propagation.

In-toto state of art machinery, modern processing plants, fully equipped seed testing labs, precision

application irrigation facilities, tissue culture labs, protected cultivation structures etc. were established in all

the co-operating centres making it one of its kind project in terms of infrastructure establishment.

Capacity building and Technology Dissemination

Human resource development and technology diffusion in seed domain are core areas of ICAR Seed

Project, various modules of trainings were organized by diverse cooperating centres to cater the need of seed

producing personnel including farmers, trainers and employees (field staff) of university/ State Seed

Certification Agency/ State Seed Corporation/ Seed Producer Companies and NGOs. Trainings were focused on

seed production, processing, storage and packaging, quality enhancement, quality control and seed health

management. Considering the need and demand of the trained man power in the seed sector, few centres

started one year diploma course in seed production. Different methods like field days, demonstrations, seed

mela, formation of seed grower association, farmers’ rallies, crop variety museum, radio talk/TV programme,

book/pamphlets/booklets in vernacular were used by different centres for transfer of seed production

technologies. Under farmers’ participatory seed production programme, all cooperating centres have adopted

'Seed Village Concept' in production and popularization of new varieties and hybrids among the farmers.

Trainings organized

On an average 350 Trainings/ Field days/ Seed days per annum were conducted by diverse cooperating centres

under this project to diverse stakeholders of seed domain.

Details of capacity building programmes under ICAR Seed Project

Year Training Field day/ Seed day Exhibitions/ Kisan Mela/ Kisan Goshti

No. of Training/

FLDs/ Seed day

No. of

Beneficiaries

No. of Exhibitions/

Kisan Mela/ Kisan

Goshti

No. of

Beneficiaries

2010-11 243 10230 68 26045

2011-12 248 12450 72 34268

2012-13 253 15453 76 458345

2013-14 242 20297 94 1494195

2014-15 362 25330 87 2685918

ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science

Major Accomplishments : Quality Seed Production & Research 22

Calender of Events for Breeder Seed Production

S. No. Event Last date for completion of action

Kharif Rabi

1. Placement of breeder seed indents to Director of Agriculture by the State Government & State Public Seed Producing Agencies.

15th

December of previous year 31st

May of year

2. Submission of indents to DoAC&FW & SAU’s 15th

January 15th

June

3. Communication of indents by DoAC&FW to ICAR Headquarters.

28th

February 15th

July

4. Communication of Breeder Seed Production Plan

in BSP-1 by Project Coordinator (Crop) to

DoAC&FW and ADG (Seed), ICAR

15th

may 15th

October

5. Communication of the BSP-2 by the concerned Breeder to DoAC&FW and ADG (Seed), ICAR

After 15 days of the actual planting

After 15 days of the actual planting

6. Communication of the BSP-3 by the concerned breeder to DoAC&FW and ADG (Seed), ICAR

After 15 days of actual inspection by the Joint Monitoring team

After 15 days of actual inspection by the Joint Monitoring team

7. Communication of the final production figures of breeder seed by the ICAR in BSP-4 to DoAC&FW

15th

February 15th

July

8. Communication of the Allocation of Breeder seed by DoAC&FW to Director of Agriculture and concerned indentors

31st

March 15th

September

9. Lifting of Breeder Seed Production by indenters 30th

May 30th

October

10. Communication of the lifting details of breeder seed against the GOI allotment to DoAC&FW by states and other agencies

After 15 days of the cut-off-date After 15 days of the cut-off-date

11. Submission of Breeder Seed Production activity to

ICAR-IISS, Mau 30

th June 30

th January

12. Monitoring of Breeder Seed Production by ICAR-

IISS team Month of September Month of February

13. Communication of yearly Breeder Seed

Production status to ICAR-IISS, Mau (production,

shortfall/mismatch & non-lfting)

30th

December

14. Annual Breeder Seed Review Meeting by ICAR

Seed Division 3

rd week of January

Calender of Events for Seed Technology Research Experiments under AICRP-NSP (Crops)

1. Communication of technical programme for STR

experiment to centres 15

th May

2. Submission of status report of experiments 15th

of August 15th

of December

3. Monitoring status of experiments by ICAR-IISS

team

Month of

September Month of February

4. Submission of yearly experimental results to PI’s

and ICAR-IISS, Mau 30

th December

5. Annual Group Meeting of AICRP-NSP (Crops) 1st

week of April

ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science

Major Accomplishments : Quality Seed Production & Research 23

ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science

Kushmaur, P.O.- NBAIM, Mau 275 103

Uttar Pradesh, India

Phone : 0547-2530326

Fax : 0547-2530325

E-mail : pddsrmau@gmail.com

Website : www.seedres.in