CLASSES OF SEED , ( Nucleus Seed, Breeder Seed, Foundation Seed, Certified Seed. )

 What is seed .....? 

In broad sense :-

Seed is a material which is used for planting or regeneration purpose.

scientifically :- 

Seed is a fertilized matured ovule together covered with seed coat is called seed or it is a propagating material. 

Technological point of view :- 

Seed is a fertilized ripened ovule consisting of three main parts namely seed coat, endosperm and embryo, which in due course gives rise to a new plant.

OR 

Propagating materials of healthy seedlings, tuber, bulbs, rhizome, roots, cuttings,

setts, all types of grafts and vegetatively propagating materials used for production

purpose.

Classes of Seed :- 

1)  Nucleus Seed

2)  Breeder Seed

3)  Foundation Seed

4)  Certified Seed

1) Nucleus seed :- 

Produced from basic nucleus stock.

- Produced by the original breeder/Institute /State Agriculture University (SAU)

- Small scale multiplication.

- Pedigree Certificate issued by Breeder.

General Standards:

Genetical Purity :- 100%

Physical Purity :- 100%

Min. Germination :- 100%

Max. Inert Matter :- 0%

2) Breeder seed :- 

Progeny of Nucleus Seed.

- Multiplied in large area as per indent of Department of Agriculture and

Cooperation (DOAC), Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, under

supervision of plant breeder / institute / SAUs and monitored by a committee

consisting of the representatives of state seed certification agency, national /

state seed corporations, ICAR nominee and concerned breeder’.

- Golden Yellow colour certificate is issued.

General Standards:

Genetical Purity :- 100%

Physical Purity :- 100%

Min. Germination :- 100%

Max. Inert Matter :- 0%

3) Foundation seed :- 

Progeny of Breeder Seed.

- Produced by Recognized Seed Producing agencies in public and private sectors           under the supervision of Certification agencies.

- Large Scale Multiplication.

- White Colour certificate is issued.

General Standards:

Genetical Purity :- 97-98%                      Isolation:

Physical Purity :- >95%                            Self Pollinated = 50-150 m

Min. Germination :- 70-85%                   Cross Pollinated = 600-1200 m

Max. Inert Matter :- 2%

4) Certified Seed :- 

Progeny of Foundation Seed.

- Produced by registered seed growers under the supervision of Seed Certification Agencies.

- Meant for Distribution to the Farmers for commercial cultivation.

- Azur Blue colour certificate is issued.

- Large Scale Multiplication

General Standards:

Genetical Purity :- 98%

Physical Purity :- >90%

Min. Germination :- 60-80%

Max. Inert Matter :- 2%

Isolation:

Self Pollinated = 50-300 m

Cross Pollinated = 600-1600 m.