Sdtec 3201 Principles of Seed Technology
Seed and seed technology: introduction, definition, its importance in increasing agricultural production. Difference between seed and grain and concept of seed quality. Deterioration causes of crop varieties and their control. Maintenance of genetic purity during seed production. Genetic and agronomic principles of seed production. Different classes of seed and truthfully labeled seed. Seed certification, phases of certification. Procedure for seed certification, field inspection. Foundation and certified seed production of important cereals (Rice, wheat and maize), pulses (Cowpea, mung, urd, pigeonpea, field bean and soybean), oilseeds (Sesame, coconut, sunflower, groundnut), fodder (Guinea grass, napier grass and lucern), and vegetables (Bhindi, tomato, brinjal, chillies and cucurbitaceous vegetables). Seed Act and Seed Act enforcement. Central Seed Committee, Central Seed Certification Board, State Seed Certification Agency, Central and State Seed Testing Laboratories. Duty and powers of seed inspector, offences and penalties. Seeds Control Order 1983 and Seed Bill 2004 and other issues related to seed quality regulation. Varietal identification through electrophoresisand biochemical tests. Synthetic seeds and terminator gene technology. Detection of genetically modified crops. Transgene contamination in non-GM crops, GM crops and organic seed production. Physiological and harvestable maturity. Seed dormancy, internal and external factors affecting dormancy in seeds. Seed drying. Seed processing and their steps. Seed treatment, its importance, methods of application. Seed packing. Seed sampling and testing. Seed storage: general principles, stages and factors affecting seed longevity during storage. Measures for pest and disease control during storage. Seed marketing: structure and organization, sales generation activities, promotional media. Factors affecting seed marketing, Role of WTO and OECD in seed marketing. Private and public sectors and their production and marketing strategies. Participatory seed production and seed village concept