Rainfed rice - IRRI books - International Rice Research Institute

Rainfed Rice Seed Production
Systems: Towards a Bigger
Role for Farmers
T
hough globally India ranks first in area under rice cultivation, it ranks
seventh in productivity. More than 50% of paddy cultivation is under
rainfed conditions. The state of Uttar Pradesh (UP) is one of the
largest contributors (14%) to the national rice stock. Approximately 30% of
the paddy area (i.e., 1.9 million ha) in UP is cultivated under rainfed
conditions and the total seed requirement for this area is estimated at
around 0.66 million qts. The seed replacement rate of all the rice varieties in
the state is around 12.5%. However, for rainfed conditions, it is less than
8%. The situation in other states of eastern India is worse.
Seed requirement
Seed is the most important component contributing to increased crop
production and productivity. Seeds should be of high genetic character,
healthy, free from any disease and pest infestation, pure (without
contamination) with good germination and appropriate for local conditions
(e.g., resist stress conditions of the area).
The use of unidentified and
unknown grain as seed may not
ensure the required levels of
production as it may not suit local
conditions. The crop grown from
such seed may not use inputs
efficiently, and it may not withstand
stress conditions. It may also be
susceptible to various pests and
diseases.
The farmer’s own paddy produce
may not always be as good as the
newly procured certified seed. The
farmer’s rice crop may become
contaminated and degenerate with
time and agroclimatic situations. It is
therefore better to change seeds at
least every third year, and use
appropriate high-yielding varieties.
154
Classification
For the production of genetically pure and
high-quality seed, four classes of seed are
defined.
Nucleus seed: This is the original seed in a
very small quantity available to the plant
breeder and it is used for breeder seed
production.
Breeder seed: This seed is directly produced
and controlled by originating institutions, and
its quality is very closely monitored. A
committee consisting of representatives of the
National Seed Corporation, ICAR, Seed Certification
Agency and the breeder takes care to ensure the
purity of this class of seed.
Foundation seed: This is the direct multiplication of
breeder seed and is produced under strict
supervision of technical experts. This seed has a
high degree of genetic purity.
Certified seed: This is a progeny of the foundation
seed. This seed maintains sufficient genetic purity
of the variety and other standards of seed, which is
certified by an appropriate certification agency.