<–2/”>a >Seed is the true carrier of technology. In India, three sets of institutions produce seeds:research institutions and agricultural universities; public sector seed producing corporations; andprivate sector firms including multinationals. The last decade has seen two main developmentsin seed market. One, production of quality seed has risen at a rapid rate after 2005-06. And two,public sector has begun to effectively compete with the private sector.
Beginning with 2001-02, there has been a distinct change in the role of public sector inthe development of hybrid in all crops.While these changes have led to better availability of quality seed, seed replacement rate(Percentage of area sown using certified quality seeds other than the farm saved seeds from theprevious crop) remains low in the country. On Average, it is below 20 per cent in pulses and
below 30 per cent in paddy and wheat. Even now many farmers do not distinguish betweencommon grain and seed and use common grain as seed.3 Recent data on breeder seed productionindicated a drastic reduction of about 40% compared 2010-11. This is likely to impact thecertified seed availability in coming years. Another serious factor responsible for low use ofquality seed is sale of spurious seed in the market. In order to raise productivity there is a need tosupply and promote use of quality seed and also assure quality.
Some important initiatives have been taken under the recently amended New Policy onSeed Development. The policy permits 100 per cent Investment/”>Foreign Direct Investment under theautomatic route and simplifies the procedure for inclusion of new varieties in the Organisationfor Economic Cooperation and Development Seeds Scheme. The thrust is also on creating a seedbank. Since 2013-14, a Seed Rolling Plan has been in place for all the States for identification ofgood seed varieties and agencies responsible for production of seeds.
Several steps need to be taken to improve the quality of seeds used by farmers:
Sometimes prices of good quality seeds, especially hybrids, are high and farmersare unable to afford them. Creating community Seed Banks in producing areascan reduce dependence on market for seeds. The seed banks not only protect theexisting crop varieties but also ensure supply of seeds to the farmer to meetcontingency.
Proper storage of seeds is essential to get satisfactory germination. This factorassumes particular significance in the eastern region due to humid climaticconditions. Adequate-quality storage Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE according to agro-climateconditions and specific seeds to be stored, needs to be created to save the seedsfrom damage.
Huge demand supply gap exists in forage seed. The seed companies are notcoming forward for production of forage seeds. This is a major cause of concernfor development of Dairy sector in the country. The seed companies and StateAgricultural Universities have to take-up forage seed production on a prioritybasis. In parallel, the dairy cooperatives should be encouraged to grow forage seeds.
Regulatory measures for quality seed production have to be tightened so as todiscourage the sales of spurious seeds to farmers. The seed companies should bemade responsible for poor performance of seed supplied by them. The details ofseed traits should be displayed on seed packages and agency website. The seed companies should provide adequate compensation package for farmers in case ofgeneral failure of their seeds. Our research institutions must develop rapid testingkits for seed hybridity to allow quick seed testing, thus, enabling the detection ofspurious seeds at the time of sale.
seed certification
In general, seed certification is a process designed to maintain and make available to the general public continuous supply of high quality seeds and propagating materials of notified kinds and varieties of crops, so grown and distributed to ensure the physical identity and genetic purity. Seed certification is a legally sanctioned system for quality control of seed multiplication and production.
The main objective of the Seed Certification is to ensure the acceptable standards of seed viability, vigour, purity and seed Health. A well organized seed certification should help in accomplishing the following three primary objectives.
- The systematic increase of superior varieties;
- The identification of new varieties and their rapid increase under appropriate and generally accepted names.
- Provision for continuous supply of comparable material by careful maintenance
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Hybrid seeds are seeds that are produced by crossing two different varieties of the same plant species. This process results in offspring that have the best traits of both parents. Hybrid seeds are often used in agriculture to produce crops that are higher yielding and more resistant to pests and diseases.
Hybrid seed production is a complex process that requires careful planning and execution. The first step is to select the parents that will be used to produce the hybrid seeds. The parents must be chosen carefully to ensure that they are compatible and that their offspring will have the desired traits. Once the parents have been selected, they must be cross-pollinated. This can be done by hand or by using a machine.
After the seeds have been produced, they must be processed to remove any debris or contaminants. The seeds are then cleaned and dried before being stored. Hybrid seeds must be stored in a cool, dry place to ensure that they remain viable.
Hybrid seeds are marketed through a variety of channels, including seed companies, agricultural cooperatives, and online retailers. The price of hybrid seeds varies depending on the type of crop and the quality of the seed.
Hybrid seed legislation varies from country to country. In some countries, there are no restrictions on the production or sale of hybrid seeds. In other countries, there are strict regulations that must be followed.
Hybrid seed research is ongoing in an effort to develop new and improved varieties of hybrid seeds. Researchers are also working to develop new methods for producing and processing hybrid seeds.
Hybrid seed breeding is a complex process that requires a deep understanding of plant genetics. Breeders must select the best parents for each cross and then carefully manage the breeding process to ensure that the desired traits are passed on to the offspring.
Hybrid seed technology is constantly evolving. New technologies are being developed to improve the efficiency of hybrid seed production and processing.
Hybrid seed economics is a complex issue. The cost of producing hybrid seeds is high, but the benefits can be significant. Hybrid seeds can produce higher yields and be more resistant to pests and diseases. This can lead to increased profits for farmers.
Hybrid seed sustainability is a major concern. The use of hybrid seeds can lead to the loss of Genetic diversity. This can make crops more vulnerable to pests and diseases. It is important to use hybrid seeds in a sustainable way to ensure that the benefits of hybrid seeds are not outweighed by the risks.
Hybrid seed social impact is a complex issue. The use of hybrid seeds can have both positive and negative impacts on Society. On the positive side, hybrid seeds can help to increase food production and improve Nutrition. On the negative side, the use of hybrid seeds can lead to the loss of jobs in the agricultural sector.
Hybrid seed future is bright. The use of hybrid seeds is expected to continue to grow in the future. This is due to the many benefits that hybrid seeds offer, such as higher yields, resistance to pests and diseases, and improved nutrition.
What are hybrid seeds?
Hybrid seeds are produced by crossing two genetically different parents. This results in a seed that has the best traits of both parents. Hybrid seeds are often more vigorous and productive than regular seeds.
How are hybrid seeds produced?
Hybrid seeds are produced by a process called hybridization. This involves crossing two Plants that are genetically different. The resulting seeds are then grown to produce plants that have the desired traits.
What are the benefits of using hybrid seeds?
Hybrid seeds offer a number of benefits over regular seeds. They are often more vigorous and productive, and they can also be resistant to pests and diseases. Additionally, hybrid seeds can often be grown in a wider range of climates than regular seeds.
What are the drawbacks of using hybrid seeds?
Hybrid seeds are not without their drawbacks. They can be more expensive than regular seeds, and they may not be as well-suited for Organic Farming. Additionally, hybrid seeds will not produce true-to-type offspring, so they must be purchased each year.
How are hybrid seeds processed?
Hybrid seeds are processed in a number of ways. They may be cleaned, dried, and packaged. They may also be treated with chemicals to protect them from pests and diseases.
What are the different types of hybrid seeds?
There are a number of different types of hybrid seeds. Some of the most common types include corn hybrids, soybean hybrids, and wheat hybrids.
What are the different methods of hybrid seed production?
There are a number of different methods of hybrid seed production. Some of the most common methods include hand pollination, mechanical pollination, and embryo rescue.
What are the challenges of hybrid seed production?
There are a number of challenges associated with hybrid seed production. One challenge is that hybrid seeds are not always stable. This means that the offspring of hybrid plants may not have the same traits as the parents. Additionally, hybrid seeds can be expensive to produce.
What is the future of hybrid seed production?
The future of hybrid seed production is uncertain. Some experts believe that the demand for hybrid seeds will continue to grow, while others believe that the demand will decline as farmers switch to other methods of crop production.
Which of the following is not a type of hybrid seed?
(A) F1 hybrid seed
(B) F2 hybrid seed
(C) F3 hybrid seed
(D) F4 hybrid seedHybrid seeds are produced by crossing two parents that are genetically different. This process is called:
(A) hybridization
(B) cross-pollination
(C) inbreeding
(D) outcrossingHybrid seeds are often more vigorous and productive than their parents. This is because they inherit the best traits from both parents.
(A) True
(B) FalseHybrid seeds are not always successful. This is because they can be susceptible to disease and pests.
(A) True
(B) FalseHybrid seeds are more expensive than regular seeds. This is because they require more specialized production techniques.
(A) True
(B) FalseHybrid seeds are not available for all crops. This is because not all crops can be hybridized successfully.
(A) True
(B) FalseHybrid seeds are not always necessary. In some cases, regular seeds may be just as good or even better.
(A) True
(B) FalseHybrid seeds are a good option for farmers who want to maximize their yields. However, they are not always the best option for all farmers.
(A) True
(B) FalseHybrid seeds are a relatively new technology. They were first developed in the early 20th century.
(A) True
(B) FalseHybrid seeds are a controversial topic. Some people believe that they are a good way to improve crop yields, while others believe that they are not necessary and can be harmful to the Environment.
(A) True
(B) False