Seed Production Of Field And Horticultural Crops

The book is inclusive of all categories of crop plants that are either seed or clonally propagated, will be a useful sourcebook to researchers, students and others involved in quality assured seed production. This book will promote or expand the seed innovations like futuristic seeds such as in vitro clones, micropropagation, artificial/synthetic seeds and organic seeds conjoining with the upcoming genetics, breeding and molecular breeding perspectives related to the Nucleus and Breeder Seed production in annual and perennial inclusive of grain, legume, pulses, fibers, oil, vegetables, fruit and other horticultural crops seed and clonal crops.

In Indian context.

Plant breeders continue to make significant advances in developing high yield ing, adaptable, disease-free crops. These advances, however, are not realized until an efficient seed production system is in place that rapidly increases geneti cally superior crops and makes them available to the consumer in large quantities at a reasonable cost. Successful seed production requires seed to be genetically pure, free of admixtures, and able to establish rapidly a uniform stand. Seed production is a complex process. Rigorous production criteria are followed by both seed producer and seed companies to ensure that high-quality seed is produced and marketed. These criteria become even more stringent in hybrid seed production. This volume identifies the factors most critical in a successful seed production operation. The fundamental considerations common to all seed crops are established in Part I, Principles of Seed Production. From this founda tion, the practices of seed production are provided in detail in Part II, Seed Production of Specific Crops.

The readers will get knowledge about seeds, science and technology involved in this subject. Seeds are fertilised mature ovules shaped through sexual reproduction in plants. It is the cheapest and key input in agriculture. It is estimated that good quality seeds of improved varieties can contribute about 20-25% increase in yield. Seed technology is an interdisciplinary science, involves such activities as variety development, evaluation and release seed development, seed processing, seed storage, seed testing, seed certification, seed quality control and seed marketing etc., through which the genetic and physical characteristic of seeds could be improved. Each topic was discussed in separate chapter and this book will prove extremely useful to its readers.

Objects and methods of seed production; Herbage seed production; Sugar-beet seed production; Cereal-seed production; Soya bean and plant attion crop seed production; Seed quality and vigour.

The book has been prepared keeping in view the course requirements of seed science and technology for undergraduate students at various institutions. The large volumes of materials are available for this subject. An attempt has been made to consolidate the scattered information and presented in a simple format. This publication describes the procedures involved in the production of quality seeds of 40 horticultural crops. The techniques involved in the certified and foundation stages of seed production from seed selection to storage including the quality standards and appropriate storage methods are explained in detail in this publication. From this the readers will get knowledge about seed production of horticultural crops. It is hoped that the publication will be useful for vegetable seed growers, research workers, teachers, students, planners, NGOs and extension personnel. We hope that this book “Scientific Seed Production of Horticultural Crops” will be helpful to our readers of this subject.

High-quality seed is essential for healthy crops and greater agricultural productivity. At the same time, advances in breeding technology require equivalent advances in seed technology. In order to ensure food security, it is crucial to develop seeds that are high yielding, and resistant to drought, heat, cold, and insects. Gathering the latest research in seed sciences, the book includes contributions on seed production in crops such as legumes, sugar, rice, wheat and other cereals. It discusses a range of topics, like the effect of climate change on seed quality, production and storage; seed rouging; seed certification for different crop species; seed biology; and seed pathologies and their effective management. Integrating basic and applied research, this compendium provides valuable insights for researchers and students in agricultural and life sciences; professionals involved in seed certification and those working in quarantine laboratories; as well as plant pathologists.

This handbook covers a whole range of issues relating to local seed supply systems, including participatory plant breeding, and both technical and practical information on seed production and variety maintenance. It suggests new approaches and methods to support on-farm seed production by small-scale farmers in developing countries. The first part of the book describes the functioning of local seed systems and discusses their strengths, limitations and possibilities for improvement. The authors discuss in detail issues of genetic diversity and in-situ conservation, farmers' rights and legislation. The cases presented here illustrate the functioning of local seed systems and experiences with improving them. The second part contains technical information on seed production, selection, storage and distribution, and varietal maintenance and improvement of different groups of important food crops, which can be applied and implemented at the level of small-scale farming. The third part contains practical guidelines about how on researchers and agriculturalists might carry out surveys to investigate local seed systems and their limitations, and how they can involve interested farmers in practical experimentation to improve their crop seed. This book will be of great value and interest to people who work directly with farmers, including extension agents, national and international NGOs, and farmers' cooperative workers.

In Indian context.