Principles of Plant Genetics and Breeding

Purpose and expected outcomes
The ultimate goal of a plant breeder is to make available the new cultivar that has been developed to crop producers
to be multiplied for use by consumers. This tail end of the plant breeding process constitutes a huge industry with its
own customs and regulations. After the breeder has conducted yield trials and selected the genotype for release as a
commercial cultivar, there are certain customary steps that are followed by the breeder and other appointed certifying
agencies to release the cultivar into the public domain for access by consumers. Farmers can purchase seed that
has been certified for use by the appropriate authorities. Consequently, plant breeders should be familiar with this
process. After studying this chapter, the student should be able to:
1 Discuss the concept of seed certification.
2 Discuss the official agencies and their roles in the seed certification process.
3 Discuss the commercial classes of seed.
4 Discuss the certification process.
5 Discuss the role of improved seed in agriculture.
Role of improved seed in agriculture
Seed is critical to the success of the agricultural enterprise.
In traditional agriculture, seed is usually an integral
part of the farmer’s operation. The technology used
in such production systems is essentially developed in
situ – seed is obtained from the crop produced on the
farm; additional fertility is obtained from livestock. In
modern agriculture, however, seed development and
production is a separate enterprise. Farmers are supplied
seed by seed companies. Agrochemicals are widely used
to provide the needed cultural environment for the high
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Seed certification and
commercial seed
multiplication
yield potential of the improved cultivars to be fully
expressed for optimal crop productivity.
Yield gains
The major food crops of the world (wheat, corn,
sorghum, rice, soybean) and industrial crops (e.g.,
cotton) are produced by seed. In these major crops,
dramatic increases in yield have been observed over
the past 70 years, due to a combination of the role of
plant breeding, mechanization, and improved management
practices (especially pest control and fertilizers).