EXPERENTIAL
LEARNING
PROGRAMME
SEED TESTING, STORAGE,CERTIFICATION AND PROCESSING
SAM HIGGINBOTTOM UNIVERSITY OF
AGRICULTURE, TECHNOLOGY AND
SCIENCES
ELP REPORT
SEED TESTING, STORAGE,CERTIFICATION AND
PROCESSING
(MODULE -1)
SUBMITTED TO :
Dr. Biswaroop Mehera
Associate Professor
(DEAN, NAI)
Dr. Devi Singh
Associate Professor
(Horticulture)
ADVISOR:
Dr. Bazil A. Singh
Assistant Professor
(Genetics & Plant Breeding)
SUBMITTED BY : AGRICULTURE STUDENT
SERIAL NO
PID NO
NAME
1
19BSCAGH024
Bonigala Haveela Praise
2
19BSCAGH032
Rokkam Henry Samuel
3
19BSCAGH038
Prateek Joseph Tigga
4
19BSCAGH040
Blesslin J Salom
5
19BSCAGH050
Beyon K Jose
6
19BSCAGH055
Adarsh Robert Bhengra
7
19BSCAGH062
Jibin Sebastian
8
19BSCAGH078
Nikith Soby
9
19BSCAGH089
Anne Sweta Bara
10
19BSCAGH096
Jevin Kennady
11
19BSCAGH114
Abhijeet Gaurav
12
19BSCAGH117
Mahima Trivedi
13
19BSCAGH118
Priya patel
14
19BSCAGH121
Abhishek Anand
15
19BSCAGH126
P. Lakshmi Narayan
16
19BSCAGH127
Ashish Kumar
17
19BSCAGH128
Piyush Patel
18
19BSCAGH148
Shweta Mishra
19
19BSCAGH174
Saurav Kr. Jha
20
19BSCAGH178
Pritam Kumar
21
22
19BSCAGH180
19BSCAGH184
Atithi Kumari
Vishal Keshri
23
19BSCAGH257
Md. Wali-ur-Rahman
24
19BSCAGH265
Atul Sharma
25
19BSCAGH276
Saurabh suman
26
19BSCAGH277
R N S Nirmal Kiren
27
19BSCAGH290
Sameer Raj
28
19BSCAGH297
Nagendla Pavan Kumar
29
19BSCAGH303
Keloth Sai Charan
30
19BSCAGH305
Cheppali Harsha Vardhan
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We are extremely grateful to everyone who has
contributed to successfully completing this Experiential
Learning project. The project would not have been
possible without your unwavering support, dedication
and guidance. Firstly, we would like to convey our
sincere gratitude to my faculty guide, Dr. Bazil A. Singh,
for providing me with invaluable insights and assistance
at every step of the project. Their valuable inputs, timely
feedback and expert guidance were instrumental in
shaping our project and making it a great success. We
would also like to express our appreciation to seniors
and faculty members of the Department of Genetics and
Plant Breeding, who have provided me with crucial
feedback, suggestions and support throughout the
project. We are also indebted READY Programme
coordinator and Mentor, Dr. Devi Singh. Our Dean, Dr.
Biswarup Mehera and to the staff who have provided me
with access to resources and facilities that have proved
to be invaluable in the completion of this project. Once
again, thank you all for your support and contributions.
The completion of this project would not have been
possible without you.
SEED TESTING/STORAGE/CERTIFICATION
AND PROCESSING
MODULE IN-CHARGE: DR. BAZIL A. SINGH
(DEPARTMENT OF GENETICS AND PLANT BREEDING)
GROUP PICTURE
SERIAL NO
TOPICS
1
SEED TESTING
2
SEED TESTING LABORATORY
3
SEED PROCESSING
4
SEED PROCESSING UNIT
5
SEED STORAGE
6
SEED CERTIFICATION
7
CONCLUSION
8
REFERENCES
SEED TESTING
• The science of see testing, that is, the science of evaluating the
planting value of the seeds.
• Seed testing helps to assess the quality attributes of the seed lots
which have to be offered for sale and minimizing the risk of
planting low quality seeds.
• The history of agricultural progress from
the early days of man has been the
history of seeds of new crops and crop
varieties brought under cultivation.
• In the early days it was achieved
through the cultivation of indigenous but
useful plants and those taken through
introductions.
• Later through the well known techniques
of selection, hybridization, mutation,
polyploidization and plant biotechnology
the scientists made available many new
and better varieties.
• However, to the farmer all this scientific
research would be of little value unless
he gets seeds, which are genetically
pure, high germination percentage and vigour, high purity, sound
health etc.,
• When the farmers do not get seeds possessing these qualities the
yields they obtain may not be as expected.
• The pace of progress in production therefore, will largely depend
upon the speed with which we are able to multiply and market
good quality seeds of high yielding varieties.
OBJECTIVES OF SEED TESTING
• To determine the seed quality i.e., their sustainability for planting.
• To identify seed quality problems and their probable causes.
• Supply high quality seeds, means seeds of high yielding varieties,
varieties with resistance to diseases and pests.
• To increase agricultural production by supply of quality seed.
• To assure rapid seed multiplication of desirable varieties.
• Timely supply of seeds, i.e well before the sowing season.
• Supply of seeds at reasonable prices.
• To determine the labelling specifications.
• To establish quality and provide a basis for price and consumer
discrimination among lots in the market.
• To determine the need for drying and processing.
SEED TESTING LABORATORY
 Seed testing laboratories are essential organization on seed
certification and seed quality control programmes.
 The main objective is to serve the producer, the consumer and the
seed industry by providing information on seed quality.
 Seed testing laboratory are established and managed properly so
that received sample could be analysed in the least possible time.
 Test result may cause rejection of poor seed multiplication or low
grade seed in a count of law.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
 A seed Testing Laboratory can be housed as a separate building or
it could form part of a larger building housing a department.
 Working space should be adequate.
 There should be sufficient space left for any special tests section
etc. if the need arises.
 The physical – infrastructure and facilities should be planned on
the basis of average expected work load during the peak season.
 The kind of test like routine test, varietal purity test etc. to be
carried out, must be ascertained in advance so that proper plans
can be made.
 The selection and number of equipments should be adequate to
permit efficient handling of work.
 The decent furnishing, light arrangement and all other necessities
should be provided for smooth on going of work.
WORKING PROCESS
1. Receipt and registration of seed samples : The samples
received in the laboratory should be entered in register or forms
and test number is assigned. The information like name of the
sender, type of sample kind of tests required, crop variety and
class of seed etc. Should be recorded.
2. Moisture Test : After assigning test number sample should be
passed on for moisture testing analysis without unnecessary delay.
3. Working sample : working sample is prepared for various tests.
4. Routine Tests : Germination test is carried out.
5. Other Test : Vigour, viability, genetic purity, etc. is done.
6. Reporting of results : Results are reported on printed form,
known as seed analysis certificate. The result of seed samples
received from seed inspectors communicated within 21days from
the date of receipt under the provision of Seed Act, (not later than
30 days in any case.)
7. Storage of Guard sample : Stored for one year, drawn from
submitted sample and have equal weightage of working sample.
8. Maintenance of Record : Records are maintained so that any
information needed can be traced immediately.
EQUIPMENTS USED IN SEED TESTING LABORATORY
1. MECHANICAL SEED
DIVIDER/BOERNER DIVIDER
It is essentially a hopper, inverted cone and a
series of baffles directing the seeds into
spouts .It mixes and divides samples
completely by gravity. It divides a sample into
two approximately equal parts. Sample is
mixed and passed through the divider .After
mixing ,sample is reduced to its half .The
process is continued until a working sample is
approximately ,but not less than the minimum
weight is obtained.
2. CENTRIFUGAL SEED DIVIDER/GAMET
DIVIDER
It is suitable for all kinds of seed .It uses centrifugal
force for mixing and dividing seeds.
3. ELECTRONIC WEIGHING MACHINE
It is used weigh the weight of the seed. In this
,cable is attached to power source and ON
button is pressed ,make sure reading is zero
before going to measure the sample by
pressing TARE button. place the sample on the
weighing surface and note the reading.
4. SEED GRINDER
It is an instrument to grind the seed. sample
is fed into the hopper slowly so that mill does
not slow down or become jammed .than the
seeds will get ground from size ranging from
0.5 to 0.8 mm that ground seed will then pass
through the sieve.
5. PURITY WORK BOARD
It is a instrument used to examine each particle
individually under magnifying lens in transmitter
light ( the criteria used being the external
appearance such as shape, size, colour ,surface
texture)
It is used to separate out impurities such as other
crop seeds, weeds and inert matter and
impurities is put separately into purity dishes.
6. SEED SCARIFIER
This instrument is used to reduce the hard seed
content and improve germination for successful
stand establishment of these crops. It converts
non germinating seeds into germinating seeds. It
is based on technique to physically damage the
seed coat to reduce hard seed while keeping the
seed viable.
7. SEED BLOWER : This machine is used to
separate good(heavy) seeds from waste( dust
,husk ,straw, and empty seeds) based on their
weight.
8. ELECTRIC MAGNIFIER
A magnifying glass (called a hand lens in
laboratory contexts) is a convex lens that is
used to produce a magnified image of an object.
The lens is usually mounted in a frame with a
handle .
9. SEED ASPIRATOR
It is a machine designed to separate seeds
on specific weight in a vertical ZZ shaped column,
for seed productions as well as laboratory
purposes. Specially developed for gravity
separation of small batches with high accuracy.
10. STIRRER AND SHAKER
It is piece of laboratory equipment used for mixing liquids and solid for
laboratory application.
11. SEED DRYER
This is a Vertical Model Dryer in which the surface moisture given to
seeds during the seed coating / treatment is removed and seeds are
brought to original moisture content level before seed coating/ treatment.
No Overheating is done to avoid the germination % loss of seeds.
12. MOISTURE METER
It is used to measure the percentage of
water in given substance. This
information is used to determine whether
the material is ready for unexpectedly
wet or dry or otherwise in need of further
inspection.
13. SEED SIEVE
It is used for cleaning seeds and screening
compost.
It is a hand held sieves for heirloom seeds
sorting and sorting soils to different particles
size in field or laboratory. Its is made of
stainless steel with 4 different nets size for
easy clean ups.
14. MECHANICAL SIEVE SHAKER
It is used for the analysis of size distribution
of seeds of the crops by passing it through a
series of sieves.
15. AUTOCLAVE
Autoclaves operate at high temperature and
pressure in order to kill microorganisms and
spores. They are used to decontaminate
certain biological waste and sterilize media,
instruments and lab ware.
16. INCUBATOR
Incubator is an insulated and enclosed device
that provides an optimal condition of
temperature, humidity, and other
environmental conditions required for the
growth of organisms.
An incubator is a piece of vital laboratory
equipment necessary for the cultivation of
microorganisms under artificial conditions.
17. PH METER
pH meter, electric device used to
measure hydrogen-ion activity (acidity or
alkalinity) in solution. Fundamentally, a pH
meter consists of a voltmeter attached to a pHresponsive electrode and a reference
(unvarying) electrode. The pH-responsive
electrode is usually glass, and the reference is
usually a silver-silver chloride electrode,
although a mercury–mercurous chloride
(calomel).
18. SEED COUNTER
It is used for counting the number of seeds
in any sample.
19. STEREO MICROSCOPE
It is used for low-magnification applications, allowing
high-quality, 3D observation of subjects that are
normally visible to the naked eye. In life science
stereo microscope applications, this could involve
the observation of insects or plant life.
20. GERMINATION CHAMBER
It is a closed chamber that provides an
optimum humidity and temperature control
to help start seedlings. Providing the
optimum growing environment can
decrease germination times and improve
germination rate.
GERMINATION TESTS
Seed germination test
Germination is defined as the emergence and development from the
seed embryo, of those essential structures, for the kind of seed in
question, indicates its ability to produce a normal plant under favourable
conditions.
Principles
Germination tests shall be conducted with a pure seed fraction. A
minimum of 400 seeds are required in four replicates of 100 seeds each
or 8 replicates of 50 seeds each or 16 replicates of 25 seeds each
depending on the size of seed and size of containers of substrate.
The test is conducted under favourable conditions of moisture,
temperature, suitable substratum and light if necessary. No pretreatment to the seed is given except for those recommended by ISTA.
Fig: Germination tests
MATERIALS REQUIRED
Substratum
The substratum serves as moisture reservoir and provides a surface or
medium for which the seeds can germinate and the seedlings grow. The
commonly used substrate are sand, germination paper and soil.
1. Sand
Size of sand particle
Sand particles should not be too large
or too small. The sand particles should
pass through 0.80 mm sieve and
retained by 0.05 mm sieve.
Toxicity
Sand should not have any toxic material
or any pathogen. If there is presence of
any pathogen found then the sand
should be sterilized in an autoclave.
2. Germination tray
When we use the sand, germination
trays are used to carry out the test. The
normal size of the tray is 22.5 x 22.5 x 4
cm. The tray may either zinc or stainless steel.
METHOD OF SEED PLACEMENT
1. SAND
Methods
Seed in sand(S) : Seeds are planted in a uniform layer of moist sand
and then covered to a depth of 1 to 2 cm with sand.
Top of sand (TS) : Seeds are pressed in to the surface of the sand.
Spacing
We must give equal spacing on all
sides to facilitate normal growth of
seedling and to avoid entangling of
seed and spread of disease. Spacing
should be 1-5 times the width or
diameter of the seed.
Water
The amount of water to be added to
the sand will depend on size of the
seed. For cereals, except maize, the
sand can be moistened to 50% of its
water holding capacity. For large
seeded legumes and maize sand is
moistened to 60% water holding
capacity.
Fig. Placing the seeds on sand
2. PAPER
Most widely used paper substrates are filter paper, blotter or towel (kraft
paper). It should have capillary movement of water, at vertical direction
(30 mm rise / min.). It should be free from toxic substances and free from
fungi or bacteria. It should hold sufficient moisture during the period of
test. The texture should be such that the roots of germinating seedlings
will grow on and not into the paper.
Methods
Top of paper (TP)
Seeds are placed on one or more layers of moist filter paper or blotter
paper in petri plates. These petri plates are covered with lid and placed
inside the germination cabinet. This is suitable for those seeds which
require light.
Between paper (BP)
The seeds are germinated between two layers of paper. The seeds are
placed between two layers of paper and rolled in towels. The rolled
towels are placed in the germinator in an upright position.
Fig Sowing of seed in sandy soil
EVALUATION OF GERMINATION TEST
The germination test is evaluated as
 Normal seedlings
 Abnormal seedlings
 Hard seeds
 Fresh and ungerminated seeds
 Dead seeds
NORMAL SEEDLINGS
Seedlings which has the capacity for continued development into normal
plant when grown in favourable conditions of soil, water, temperature
and light.
Characters of normal seedlings
 A well developed root system with primary root except in certain
species of graminae which normally produce seminal root or
secondary root.
 A well developed shoot axis consisting of elongated hypocotyls in
seedlings of epigeal germination.
 A well developed epicotyl in seedlings of hypogeal germination.
 One cotyledon in monocotyledon and two in dicotyledons.
 A well developed coleoptiles in graminae containing a green leaf.
 A well developed plumule in dicotyledons.
Fig: Normal Seedling
ABNORMAL SEEDLINGS
Seedlings which do not show the capacity for continued development
into normal plant when grown in favourable condition of soil, water,
temperature and light.
Damaged seedlings: Seedligs with any one of the essential structures
missing or badly damaged so that the balanced growth is not expected.
Deformed seedlings : Weak or unbalanced development of essential
structures such as spirally twisted or stunted plumule or hypocotyls or
epicotyls, swollen shoot, stunted roots etc.
Decayed seedlings: Seedlings with any one of the essential structures
showing diseased or decayed symptoms as a result of primary infection
from the seed which prevents the development of the seedlings.
Damaged Seedling
Deformed Seedling
Decayed Seedling
HARD SEEDS
Seeds which do not absorb moisture till the end of the test period and
remain hard (e.g.) seed of leguminaceae and malvaceae.
FRESH AND UNGERMINATED SEEDS
Seeds which are neither hard nor have germinated but remain firm and
apparently viable at the end of the test period.
DEAD SEEDS
Seeds at the end of the test period are neither hard or nor fresh or have
produced any part of a seedling. Often dead seeds collapse and milky
paste comes out when pressed at the end of the test.
Fig: Hard Seed
Fig: Dead Seed
SEED PROCESSING
 Seed processing is a vital part of the total technology involved in
making available high quality seed.
 It assures the end users, seeds of high quality with minimum
adulteration.
 In Agriculture, the term seed processing includes cleaning, drying,
seed treatment, packaging and storage.
 Seed processing may be understood to ‘comprise all the
operations after harvest that aim at maximizing seed viability,
vigour and health.
OBJECTIVES
Processing of seeds is carried out in approved (By Director of Seed
Certification) seed processing plants.
Seed processing is to narrow down the level of heterogeneity of the
seed lot by using suitable processing methods.
Fig: Seed processing unit
SEED PROCESSING PROCEDURE
 Sequences of operations are based on
characteristics of seed such as shape,
size, weight, length, surface structure,
colour and moisture content.
 Because each crop seed possesses
individually seed structure.
 Therefore, sequence of operation will
be applied using proper equipments.
 However, sequences of operation in
seed processing are drying, receiving,
pre-cleaning, conditioning, cleaning,
separating or upgrading, treating
(Drying), weighting, bagging and
storage or shipping
DRYING
Reduction in seed moisture content to a safer limit is called seed drying
Its objective is to maintain seed viability and seed vigour for longer
period of time during storage
If moisture contents are high, higher chances of insect pests attack and
deteriorate quality of seed due to higher respiratory activities
Natural Drying :Seeds are spread uniformly at neat and clean place and
dry under natural conditions i.e under sun
Artificial Drying :Different artificial driers are used to dry seeds .
• Bag Driers
• Box Driers
• Bin Driers
• Continuous Flow Tower
PRE-CLEANING AND CONDITIONING
This is the operation that prepares a seed lot for basic cleaning. The
equipment required for preconditioning is generally specific for individual
crop. Some important preconditioning equipment are:
• Sheller
• Huller
• Debearder
BASIC CLEANING
This step of seed processing removes the larger, smaller, and thicker
adulterants as compares to the crop seed from the seed lots. Basic
cleaning is done based on weight, size and density using cleaner with air
screen. This process involves following equipment:
 Grader
 Scalper
 Aspirator
SEED GRADING
 Classification of seed lot based on commercial usage viz., size
shape, density and colour is known as grading.
 It is done further improvement of seed lots as finishing operation.
 It improves the seed lot by removal of cracked, damaged,
shriveled and other defective seeds apart from inert matter.
SEED TREATMENT
 Before bagging, seeds are treated with suitable fungicide often in
combination with an insecticides.
 The treatment may be in the form of a powder, liquid, or slurry.
 Special machines are available for applying each type of
treatment.
 If it is desired not to treat the seed, it goes directly to the bagging
machine.
BAGGING AND LABELLING
After Seed Treatment seeds are distributed in bags of appropriate size
(generally 40 kg bags are used), the process is known as bagging and is
placed in a paper, plastic, or jute bag.
Each bag is labelled with an appropriate label that carries following
information:
 Kind of Seed,
 Name of Variety,
 Pure Seed %,
 Germination %,
 Date of Testing,
 Weed Seed %,
 Inert Matter %,
 Name and Address of Seller,
 Period of Validity of Certification and
 Any other information patent to the Seed
Fig: Label of seeds
SEED PROCESSING UNIT
1. PRE CLEANER
MODEL:- SPC-5T
• Cleaning of all types of
seeds, grain, pulses and
oilseeds.
• Dust and light impurities are
separated.
Fig: Pre Cleaner
2. SEED GRADER
Model :DIAMOND (Dx)
• Seed cleaning and
separation of unwanted
seed & inert material.
• Separate on the basis of
size and shape i.e broken,
undersized & irregular shape
grain separated.
Fig: Seed grader
3. INDENTED CYLINDER
MODEL: 1CG -1C23
• Separate on the basis of
length of the seed.
• Mainly used for paddy.
• Remove broken seed i.e. not
fully length seed.
Fig: Indented cylinder
4. GRAVITY SEPERATOR
• Very high grading quality.
• Seed of same size & general
shape can be often be
separated because they differ
in specific gravity.
• The difference is very useful in
removing light immature seed
or heavy seed & rock to
improve purity, germination of
seed.
Fig: Gravity seperator
5. ELEVATOR
• Used for conveying seed from
one machine to other
Fig: Elevator
6. TREATER & COATER
• Used for dry, liquid & slurry
treatment of seed.
• Coater is used for liquid
chemical film coating of seed.
Fig: Treater and coater
SEED STORAGE
Seed storage is preservation of seed with initial quality until it is
needed for planting. The ability of seed to tolerate moisture loss
allows the seed to maintain the viability in dry state. Storage starts
in the mother plant itself when it attains physiological maturity.
After harvesting the seeds are either stored in ware houses or in
transit or in retail shops. Storage is needed to maintain the seed in
good physical and physiological condition from the time they are
harvested until the time they are planted.
STAGES OF SEED STORAGE
 The seeds are considered to be in storage from the moment they
reach physiological maturity until they germinate or until they are
thrown away because they are dead or otherwise worthless.
 The entire storage period can be conveniently divided into
following stages.
 Storage on plants ( physiological maturity until harvest).
 Harvest, until processed and stored in a warehouse.
 In - storage ( warehouses)
 In transit ( Railway wagons, trucks, carts, railway sheds etc.).
 In retail stores.
 On the user's farm.
TYPES OF STORAGE
1. Storage at ambient
temperature and humidity
Seeds can be stored in piles,
single layers, sacks or open
containers, under shelter
against rain, well ventilated
and protected from rodents
and store at least for several
months.
Fig. Seed Storage
2. Dry storage with control of moisture content but not
temperature
Orthodox seeds will retain viability longer, when dried to low
moisture content (4¬8%) and then stored in a sealed container or
in a room in which humidity is controlled, than when stored in
equilibrium with ambient air humidity. Cool condition is especially
favourable.
3. Dry storage with control of both moisture content and
temperature
This is recommended for many orthodox species which have
periodicity of seeding but which are planted annually in large scale
afforestation projects. A combination of 4-8% moisture content and
0 to 5° temperature will maintain viability for 5 years or more.
Fig. Glimpses of seed storage unit
4. Dry storage for long-term gene conservation
Long-term conservation of gene resources of orthodox agricultural seeds
is -18°C temperature and 5±11% moisture content
5. Moist storage without control of moisture content of temperature
Suitable for storage of recalcitrant seeds, for a few months over winter.
Seeds may be stored in heaps on the ground, in shallow pits, in well
drained soils or in layers in well ventilated sheds, often covered or mixed
with leaves, moist sand, peat or other porous materials. The aim is to
maintain moist and cool conditions, with good aeration to avoid
overheating which may result from the relatively high rates of respiration
associated with moist storage. This may be accomplished by regular
turning of the heaps.
6. Moist cold storage, with control of temperature
This method implies controlled low temperature just above freezing or
less commonly, just below freezing. Moisture can be controlled within
approximate limits by adding moist media e.g., sand, peat or a mixture of
both to the seed, in proportions of one part media to 1 part seed by
volume, and re-moistening periodically or more accurately by controlling
the relative humidity of the store.
7. Cryopreservation
Seeds are placed in liquid nitrogen at -196°C. Seeds are actually placed
into the gaseous phase of the liquid nitrogen -150°C for easy handling
and safety. Metabolic reactions come to a virtual standstill at the
temperature of liquid nitrogen and the cells will remain in an unaltered
state until the tissues are removed from the liquid nitrogen and
defrosted. Therefore, little detrimental physiological activity takes place
at these temperatures, which prolongs the storage life of seeds.
MAINTENANCE OF VIABILITY IN STORAGE
 Store well mature seeds
 Seeds should be free from
mechanical injury
 Seeds should be free from storage
fungi or micro organisms.
 Seeds should not have met with
adverse conditions during
maturation.
 Storage godown should b
 e fumigated to control storage
insects, periodically
 Storage environment or godown
should be dry and cool.
 Seeds should be dried to optimum
moisture content
 Required R.H. and temperature
should be maintained during storage.
Fig: Plastic storage
 Seeds should be treated with fungicides before storage
 Suitable packaging materials should be used for packing.
HARRINGTON THUMB RULE ON SEED STORAGE
The following thumb rules by Harrington are useful measures for
assessing the effect of moisture and temperature on seed storage.
These rules are as follows:
 For every decrease of 1% seed moisture content, the life of the
seed doubles. This rule is applicable when moisture content
between 5 and 14%.
 For every decrease of 5°C (10°F) in storage temperature the life of
the seed doubles. This rule applies between 0°C to 50°C.
 Good seed storage is achieved when the % of relative humidity in
storage environment and the storage temperature in degrees.
STORAGE CRITERIA
PADDY
 For short term storage (9-12 months), store the seeds with 12-13%
moisture content in gunny bag / cloth bag.
 For medium term storage (12-36 months), store the seed in HDPE
bag or poly lined gunny bag with 10-12% seed moisture
SOYBEAN
 Store the seeds in gunny or cloth bags for short term storage (8-9
months) with seed moisture content of 10-12%.
 Store the seeds in poly lined gunny bag for medium term storage
(12- 15 months) with seed moisture content of 8 – 10%.
 Store the seeds in 700 gauge polythene bag for long term storage
(more than15 months) with seed moisture content of less than 7%
SEED CERTIFICATION
 A legally sanctioned system to maintain quality to seeds during
seed production, post harvest operation and distribution of seeds.
 Seed certification is a quality assurance process. Seeds intended
for domestic and international markets is controlled and inspected
by official sources in order to guarantee consistent high quality for
consumers.
 It includes field inspection, seed quality tests and pre & post quality
check.
 Certification is a voluntary process but labelling is compulsory.
PRINCIPLES
• It should have autonomy.
• Seed certification procedure adopted should be uniform throughout
the country.
• It should closely be associated with technical institutes.
• It should operate on a no profit and no loss basis.
• It should have adequate technical staff and facilities for timely
inspection of seed fields.
• It should serve for the interests of seed producers and buyers.
OBJECTIVES
• To maintain and male available to the farmers, high quality seeds
and propagating materials of notified kind and varieties.
• To ensure the acceptable standards of seed viability, vigour, purity
and seed health.
• To ensure genetic identity and genetic purity.
• A well organized seed certification should help in accomplishing
the following 3 primary objectives.
• The identification of new varieties and their and their rapid
increase under appropriate and generally accepted names.
CLASSES OF SEED
SEED CLASS
TAG COLOUR
GENETIC
PURITY
NUCLEUS SEED
-
100%
BREEDER SEED
GOLDEN YELLOW
100%
FOUNDATION SEED
WHITE
99.5%
CERTIFIED SEED
AZURE BLUE
99 %
PHASES OF CERTIFICATION
APPLICATION
• Seed grower can apply online through
http://ossopca.nic.in
VERIFICATION
• SCO(Seed Certification Officer)can do
theverticationor forwardtoASCOfor verification as
well as inspection.
INSPECTION
• ASCO or in certain case SCO himself can do the
verification
• Both online as well as offline module has been
developed.
THRESHING
CERTIFICATE
ISSUE
• TC is issued only by ASCO/SCO who did the
inspection.
• Processing plant can now be changed by
ASCO/SCO.
SAMPLING SLIP
GENERATION
• Three sample slips are generated before going
to do sampling by concerned ASCO/SCO.
TESTING LAB
• Seed Testing lab will submit their report.
TAG CERTIFICATE
ISSUE
• TAGs are issued by the appropriate authority.
CONCLUSION
 Seed testing is required to assess the seed quality
attributes of the seed lots which have to be offered for
sale.
 Testing of seed to evaluate the planting value and the
authenticity of the certified lot.
 Use of quality seeds alone could increase productivity by
15 – 20 % indicate the critical role of seed in agriculture.
 Seed storage is the maintenance of high seed germination
and vigour form harvest until planting
 The purpose of seed storage is to maintain the seed in
good physical and physiological condition from the time
they are harvested until the time they are planted.
 Seed processing is necessary in order to dry the seeds to
safe moisture level; remove or reduce to the extent
possible the various undesirable material, weed seeds,
other crop seeds, deteriorated or damaged seeds.
 Certified seed is the starting point to a successful crop as
well as an important risk management tool.
 Certified seed uses systems to maximize genetic purity
Off-types, other crop seeds, and weeds are guaranteed to
be minimized.
 The blue tag is proof that you used certified seed to
maintain the value traits of the crop.
REFERENCES
 http://ecoursesonline.iasri.res.in/mod/page/view.php?id=17886
 https://agritech.tnau.ac.in/seed_certification/seed_pul_greengram.
html
 https://agritech.tnau.ac.in/seed/seedmultiplication.html
 https://agritech.tnau.ac.in/seed_certification/seed%20treatments%
20-%20Chemical.html
 https://agritech.tnau.ac.in/seed/Seed_seedsampling.html
 http://www.jnkvv.org/PDF/04042020081723Seed%20Germination
%20Testing-3.pdf
 https://agritech.tnau.ac.in/seed/Seed_seedtesting.html
 https://agriculture.rajasthan.gov.in/content/agriculture/en/RSSOPC
A-dep/seed-certification/process-of-certification/processing.html