SEED TESTING The main objective of seed testing ... - SeedNet India

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V THE SEED RULES 1968 The seed rules. are framed in the year 1968 giving wider scoppe of understanding various provisions of the seeds Act 1966. The function of Cental Seed Laboratory, Sees Ceertification Agency are elaborated dealth with. It made labelling of any notified kind of variety of seed compulsory. It provided certain requirement to be compiled with the person carrying on the business of selling seed. These rules also dealt the following issues. Categorised the certified seed in to three distinct classes. Certification procedures are dealt in detail. Qualification of seed Analysts and his duties are specified. 'Qualification of seed inspectors and his duties are qidely defined. Seed samplihg prodecures are dealt in detail. Maintence of various records and issung of memorandum in form VII by seed inspector to the dealer.' . SEEDS (CONTROL) ORDER 1983 The seeds (control) order 1983 is promulgated under essential commodities Act of 1955 mainly with a view to evolve a mechanism for registration of seed dealers, get regular floe of information on seed production ;and sales and to ensure suitable of seeds all over the country. The order provides for drawing of samples of seeds including truthful labelled seeds and does not envisage any requirement of sale of only notified seed. The seed control order 1983 envisages the obligations on the part of the dealer to obtain licence (clause 3) Display stock board and price list (clause 8). Gice memorandum of cash or credi(ta:the purchaser (clause 9). Maintain records and submission of reports (clause 18) Ensure suitable distribution of seeds (clause 10) SEED PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT Several factors are responsible for successful seed production of hybrids, as seed production is a highly commercial venture, it is essential to maintain high level of crop management in order to maximise production. - Selection of Site and Field Preparations: The main consideration for selection of site are suitable climatic conditions, assured rainfall or irrigation facilitity, and dry weather at harvest. The land selected for seed production should be uniform with good drainage. The seed procluction programmes are to be organised primarily in areas which are suitable for producing good quality seeds. The seed plot must also have the required isolation distance to maintain purity of the seed, The seed production is to be taken up with enterprising farming community in areas where the seed yields are high and is more economical. The seed production is to be concentrated in few clusters of villages. Each cluster can have 2-3 continuous villages. The number of clusters can be decided on the total seed required as per the estimation of the demand and supply. Compact blocks are easy for supervision and maintenance of quality with I~ss isolation problems, These clusters will minimize the nicking problems to a major extent and will also Serve as demonstration blocks. 41
FACTORS INFLUENCING HYBRID SEED PRODUCTION i. Planting ratio: The ideal planting ratio between male and female lines is two male rows alternated by 4 to 6 female rows. Where the male line has smaller earheads and shorter span of flowering compared to the female ones, it is desirable to allow only four female rows.for each pair of male rows. The female rows can be increased to six where the male line has larger panicle and longer span of flowering5-row thick border all round the seed production plots, must always be provided. ii. Plant height: Differencein heightbetween the two parents has considerable bearing on seed setting. Where the parents are of similar height or ~here the male parent is taller than the seed parent, no difficultyis usually experienced for good- set. But, if the pollen parent is considerably shorter than the seed parent obtaining good seed set even when the niking is proper is rather difficult.This problem can be avoided to some extent by planting the short parent on the raised ridges and the taller parent in the furrows below. Urea sprays also enable to increase the height to some extent by elongating the penduncle. iii. Nicking: The most serious problem faced in hybrids seed production is proper nicking or synchronizationoffloweringbetween the two parents. Allseed producers must understand thoroughly about the floweringtime of the p~rents indifferentseasons and at differentlocations, receptivityof stigma, pollen dispersal and its viabilityaccordingly the planting of the parents willbe undertaken in seed production plots. Several methods are employed to overcome this problem depending upon the situation. The commonly followedtechnique is staggered planting, Le. ,adjusting the planting dates of the parents so that they flowersimultaneusly. Ifthe difference in 'floweringbetween the two parents is only 2 to 4 days. It is possible to bridge the gap through selective application of foliar sprays. (spray of urea @ 2% z to the late flowering).The application of urea sprays has to be taken up at flowerprimordialinitiationstage (between 30-40 days after planting) and repeated 3 to 5 times on alternative days. If the 'gap between the parents is of greater magnitude (more than 15 days) transplanting or ratooningof the earlyparent at appropriate time could be followed.As an emergency measure dusting or spraying of pollen collected from the male parent, ifavailable in the vicinitycan be done. iv. v. Flowering and pollen dispersal: The longer the duration of floweringin the male line is better as pollen is available for more number of days. Since pollen is viable only for few hours after flower opening which usually takes place in the early hourse, there is need to prolong the duration of floweringof male line to ensure better seed set. This can be achieved by pollination,itis not safe to rely entirely on natural wind to aid in pollen dispersal. It is desirable using artificialaids of pollen dispersal liketapping the male plants or blowingair through empty dusters over the male heads. Itis also advisable to spray 0.2% Borax to improve the pollen production and dispersal. Stigma receptivity and pollen production: Generally, the stigma retains good receptivityupto 5 days after floweropening, although insome lines it is extended beyond that period. However,during hot summer months the production is also influenced by temperatures. During winter months. especially in areas in where the night temperatures are rather low,pollen production is appreciably reduced. 0.2% Borax spray on both male and female lines two times from ear head emergence till the completion of anthesis would greatly solve the problem; 4
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SEED TESTING The main objective of seed testing ... - SeedNet India

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