Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and their Replies
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and their Replies
What are breeder, foundation and certified seeds?
Breeder seed: Breeder seed is seed or vegetative propagating material directly controlled by the originating or sponsoring plant breeder of the breeding programme or institution and/ or seed whose production is personally supervised by a qualified plant breeder and which provides the source for the initial and recurring increase of foundation seed. Breeder seed shall be genetically so pure as to guarantee that in the subsequent generation i.e. certified foundation seed class shall confirm to the prescribed standards of genetic purity. The other quality factors of breeder seed such as physical purity, inert matter, germination etc. shall be indicated on the label on actual basis.
Foundation seed: Foundation seed shall be the progeny of Breeder seed or be produced from foundation seed, which can be clearly traced to Breeder seed. Thus foundation seed can even be produced from foundation seed during the production of Foundation Seed the minimum seed certification standard shall be the same for both foundation seed stage-I and II. The certification tag shall be white colour for both foundation seed stage-I and II. The production of foundation seed stage I and II shall be supervised and approved by the certification agency and be so handled as to maintain specific genetic identity and genetic purity and shall be required to confirm to certification standards specified for the crop / variety being certified.
Certified Seed: Certified seed shall be the progeny of foundation seed and its production shall be so handled as to maintain specific genetic identity and purity according to the standards prescribed for the crop being certified. Certified seed may be the progeny of certified seed provided this reproduction does not exceed three generations beyond foundation seed stage-I.
What is hybrid seed? The first generation resulting from crossing of two varieties or parents. Hybrid (certified) seed is the first generation resulting from the cross of two approved inbred lines or parents, one of which is male sterile.
What is Labeled Seed? The seed notified under Section 5 of the Seeds Act, 1966, such seed sold in the market has to be labeled as prescribed under Section 6(a) and (b) of the Seeds Act. Such seed is called Labeled Seed.
What is process and procedure of certification of seeds?
- receipt and scrutiny of application;
- verification of seed source, class and other requirements of the seed used for raising the seed crop;
- field inspections to verify conformity to the prescribed field standards;
- Supervision of post-harvest stages including processing and packaging;
- Seed sampling and analysis, including genetic purity test and/or seed health test, if any, in order to verify conformity to the prescribed standards; and
- Grant of certificate and certification tags, tagging and sealing.
Which are the agencies authorized for certification of seeds? Agencies (State Governments or Autonomous Bodies), which are notified under Section 8 of the Seeds Act are authorized for certification of seeds. At present there are 21 state Seed Certification Agencies in the country.
Which are the agencies that can produce certified seeds? Anybody willing to come forward to produce certified seed can produce certified seed. At present State Seeds Corporations, National Seeds Corporation, State Farm Corporation of India, State Departments of Agriculture, Private Companies, Cooperatives and individual farmers are producing certified seed.
What is the position of breeder, foundation and certified seed in the country? During the year 2003-04, 6048 MT of breeder seed, 65000 MT of foundation seed has been produced and 124 lakh q of certified/quality seed has been made available in the country.
Production of Breeder, Foundation and Certified Seed
|
Type of Seeds |
Unit |
2000–01 |
2001-02 |
2002-03 |
2003-04 |
2004-05 Anticipated |
Target 2005-06 |
|
Breeder Seed production |
MT |
4269 |
4554 |
4842 |
6048 |
5100 |
5200 |
|
Foundation Seed production |
MT |
59100 |
54400 |
61400 |
65000 |
70000 |
74000 |
|
Certified / Quality seed Distribution |
MT |
862700 (709200) |
918000 (756500) |
980300 |
1083900 |
1274000 |
1385000 |
What is Seed Replacement Rate? Seed Replacement Rate is the percentage of area sown out of total area of crop planted in the season by using certified/quality seeds other than the farm saved seed.
What is the present Seed Replacement Rate for different crops? For the year 2003-04, Seed Replacement Rate for Wheat: 13%, Paddy: 19.16%, Maize: 24.41%, Jowar: 26.71%, Bajra: 51.02%, Gram: 7.09%, Urd: 20.48%, Mung: 19.48%, Arhar: 13.60%, Groundnut: 5.5%, Rapeseed and mustard: 66.96%, Soybean: 15.58%, Sunflower: 19.61%, Cotton: 37.25%, Jute: 68.49% for the country.
What are the major schemes of Government of India in the Seed Sector?
- Transport subsidy on movement of seeds to northeastern states.
- Establishment and maintenance of Seed Bank.
- Implementation of PVP Legislation.
- Quality Control arrangement on Seed and Establishment of National Seed Research & Training Centre
What are Genetically Modified (GM), transgenic crop/ seed? Genetically Modified seed is developed by application of biotechnology wherein a specific gene from other genus is inserted by genetic manipulation to make it resistant against certain characteristics like insect pest resistance, for example in the Bt. cotton, Cry1 AC gene has been incorporated in the cotton seed from a soil bacteria i.e. Bacillus thuringiensis which make it resistant against the attack of boll worm.
How are the IPR issues being dealt in India with respect to Seeds Sector? The department has enacted legislation known as Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001 to protect plant breeder’s rights. The main objectives of the legislation are to (a) stimulate investments for research and development both in the public and the private sectors for the development of new plant varieties by ensuring appropriate returns on such investments; and (b) facilitate the growth of seed industry in the country through domestic and foreign investment which will ensure the availability of high quality seeds and planting material to Indian farmers. PVP & Farmer’s authority is being set up.
What are the areas of application of Biotechnology in Agriculture? Biotechnology is a tool that has been widely accepted worldwide for improvement of cultivars with regard to
a) Insect pest resistance
b) Tolerance to drought, cold and salinity condition
c) Nutrition enhancement
d) Post harvest quality
e) Value addition.
Apart from the above, the Task Force appointed by the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation under the Chairmanship of Dr. M.S. Swaminathan has recommended the following:
“Biotechnological applications should be viewed comprehensively. Both r-DNA and non-r-DNA applications such as fermentation, bio-processing, bio-pesticides, bio-fertilizers, tissue-culture, micro-propagation and related technological components which are important for Indian agriculture including animal husbandry and fisheries should be viewed as integral components of the planning and promotion of biotechnological applications in agriculture.”
Is there a proposal to make a new Seeds Act and why?
Yes. The Seeds Bill, 2004 has been introduced in Rajya Sabha on 9th December 2004 so as to overcome certain deficiencies of the present Seeds Act, 1966 and to take into account the changes that have happened in the seeds sector and Indian economy.
What are the GM crops approved in India?
So far, four Bt. cotton hybrids have been approved for commercial cultivation by GEAC, MOEF. Out of four hybrids approved so far, Bt. MECH-12, Bt. MECH-162 and Bt. MECH-184 are of M/s. Mahyco – Monsanto and RCH 2 Bt of M/s. Rasi Seeds Pvt. Ltd. These hybrids are being cultivated in six states, namely Gujarat, MP, Maharashtra, AP, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. North India likely to be released during 2005 However, transgenic mustard, corn, brinjal, and tomato is also under various stages of testing and trials.
What are the penalty provisions for sale of spurious seed?
If any person contravenes any provisions of the Seeds Act/Rules, on conviction be punishable:
a) for the first offence with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, and
b) in the event of such person having been previously convicted of an offence under this section, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.
What are the rules for export and import of seeds?
Export/import is governed by EXIM Policy of 2002-07 issued by Ministry of Commerce. Under EXIM Policy, provision is made to import which governed by the New Policy on Seed Development, 1988 read with Plant Quarantine Order, 2003 and amendments made thereon. For restricted items the EXIM committee of DAC is empowered to take decision of import/export.
What are the legal instruments for regulation of seeds?
The Seeds Act – 1966, Seeds Rules –1968 and Seeds (Control) Order – 1983.
What is NSC?
The National Seeds Corporation Ltd. (NSC), a Public Sector Undertaking under the administrative control of the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, was established in the year 1963 under the Companies Act, 1956 with the objective of producing and distributing Seeds of high quality to the farmers. The Corporation undertakes the production of seeds through Contract Growers. NSC is dealing with about 560 varieties in 79 crops.
Does Government of India have its own farm to produce seeds?
Government of India does not have its own farm for production of seed; however, State Farm Corporation of India, Government of India Undertaking operates Central State Farms in different states. SFCI was set up in 1969 under Companies Act to take quality seed production in Central State Farms. Over the passage of time keeping in view the economic viability of these farms only 6 farms have been retained and others were returned to State Governments since land was taken on lease for a prescribed period of time.
What is Seed Bank Scheme?
The main objective of “Establishment & Maintenance of Seed Bank” Scheme is to make available quality seeds of such crops/varieties at a contingency planning due to natural calamities like droughts, floods, etc. The scheme is being implemented through NSC, SFCI and 13 State Seeds Corporations in the country.
Whether the PPV & FR Act is under enforcement?
The Department has notified the PPV & FR Rules in September 2003 in accordance with the PPV&FR Act 2001 vide No 52 of 2001 dated 30th Oct 2001 in the gazette of India. The Implementation of the Act will be possible after establishment of the PPV & FR Authority and National Test Guidelines for DUS testing for the crops to be covered under the scheme. The PPV & FR Authority is being established shortly.
What are the crops covered under the PPV & FR Act for the protection of crop/varieties?
Initially 35 crops are covered such as rice, wheat, maize, sorghum, pearl millet, chickpea, mungbean, urdbean, field pea, rajmah, lentil, pigeon pea, rapeseed mustard, groundnut, soybean, sunflower, safflower, castor, sesame, linseed, cotton, jute, sugarcane, lucerne, berseem, tomato, brinjal, okra, cauliflower, cabbage, potato, onion, garlic, rose and chrysanthemum. The DUS test guidelines have been prepared for all the 35 crops.
To whom the farmers have to approach when the seed fail to perform?
Director of Agriculture/Joint Director of Agriculture/Seed Inspector of the areas concerned.
Is there any facility for the farmer to get the seed tested before sowing?
Seed users and seed producers could get the seed sample tested in the State Seed Testing Laboratories with the minimum fee prescribed to obtain the result to be used as information for seeding, selling or labeling purposes.
What is DUS Testing?
DUS stands for Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability. This is a criterion on the basis of which the Plant Breeders’ Rights will be granted to a variety by the Authority. DUS test will be used as main criteria for deciding the novelty of a variety. The formulation of National test guidelines for DUS testing has been entrusted to ICAR. Out of 35 crops DUS test guidelines for 30 crops are already prepared. Balance 5 is under finalization.
What is Tetrazolium (TZ) test?
It is a method by which the seed viability can be tested. TZ-salt solution is imbibed by the seed and it interacts with the reduction process of living cells and accepts hydrogen from dehydrogenase (dehydrogenases are a group of enzymes involved in the reaction by participating in the h+ transfer).
When hydrogen is accepted by TZ solution, a red, stable and non diffusible substance called triphenyl formazan is formed in the cells. This makes it possible to distinguish the red coloured living parts from the colourless dead ones.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of TZ test?
Advantages:
a) Quick test for viability (12-20 hrs.)
b) If seeds are dormant or very slow in germinating TZ is extremely useful.
c) Seeds are not damaged.
Disadvantages:
a) It is difficult to distinguish between normal and abnormal seeds.
b) It doesn’t differentiate dormant and non-dormant seeds.
c) As TZ test doesn’t involve germination, microorganisms harmful to germinating seedlings are not detected.
What are the environmental factors of seed storage?
a) Seed moisture: Amount of moisture absorbed by seeds depends on the atmospheric RH. Seeds may lose or gain moisture depending upon RH. With increase in air temperature the moisture holding capacity of seed increases.
Of various components of seed, protein absorbs bulk of water, and then carbohydrate and lipids does not.
70% RH is useful for safe storage of seed depending on the crop varieties.
Thumb rule: For every 1% seed moisture decrease seed life doubles when moisture content is between 5-14%.
b) Temperature: Storage at low temperature is better than high temperature. But it is expensive. It has some advantages like-
- Mites don’t survive at <50 C and insect below 150 C.
- Storage fungi can’t grow below 00 C.
Storage temperature about 200 C is useful.
Thumb rule:
For every 50 C decrease in storage temperature, seed life doubles. The rule applies between 00 C - 500 C.
c) Gas during storage:
It has been observed that O2 is generally harmful for seed storage with seed moisture content at 10%, but beneficial if moisture percentage is 25%.
d) Insects and mites:
Infection by the fungus like ‘Penicillium’, ‘Aspergillus’, etc. may occur. Insects may be controlled by creating good storage facilities and by preventing infestation by adequate use of insecticides and fungicides.
What are the ways of safe storage of seed in bulk?
RH and temperature are two important factors influencing seed viability during storage. For safe storage RH of 70% and temperature of 200 C is ideal. Other desirable features are:
- A good store should have no window and one door.
- The entrance should be 1 meter above the ground.
- There should be rat-proof lip around the building at about 1 meter height extending out 20 cm.
- The godowns must be rainproof, relatively moisture vapour proof and insect proof.
- There should not be crack in wall on the wall.
- To check the inflow of heat, insulation of brick walls and ceilings may be considered.
- The seed bags should not be kept directly on the floor, but on wood pallets and should be at least 50 cm away from the wall.
- An exhaust fan may be fixed for ventilation if outside temperature is lower than the seed storage structure.