Quality Control in Seed

Seed may be defined as fertilized mature ovule that posses an embryonic plant stored food material covered by a protective coat or coat which is viable and has capacity to germinate under favourable environmental conditions. Seed quality is the possession of seed with required genetic and physical purity that is accompanied with physiological soundness and health status. Seed quality control is a system to monitor quality of seed during different generations of multiplication from breeder to certify class with a view to supply seed desired quality to the farmers. Knowledge of seed structure can help in understanding how seeds respond during harvesting, conditioning, germination, and seedling emergence.

The quality control assurance system by establishing administrative guidelines and technical procedures plays a supervisory role for smooth operation and implementation of the program and for enforcing the regulatory measures to maintain the quality of seed produced. Limited choice of improved varieties, lack of sufficient quantity of seed, mechanization problems in developing countries, and high seed production costs, are some of the major constraints hindering the development of an effective and efficient lentil seed industry. Seed Quality and Alternative Seed Delivery Systems 351Seed quality is complex and determined by many factors but four key attributes may be explicitly identified:

• Genetic quality – the inherent genetic potential of the variety for higher yield, better grain quality and greater tolerance to biotic or abiotic stresses.
• Physiological quality – the potential germination and vigor leading to subsequent seedling emergence and crop establishment in the field.
• Physical quality – free from contamination with other crop seeds, noxious or parasitic weed seeds, mechanical damage, discoloration, and with uniform seed size and seed weight.
• Health quality – the absence of infection/infestation with seed-borne pests (fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, insects, etc.).

Quality standards and seed types:

The seeds are evolved , tested and if found goods, they are multiplied and distribution to the farmers for commercial production of the crops . There are various types of such seeds such as Nucleus seed which is obtained by the breeder through individual plant selection of a particular variety for the purpose of purifying and maintaining the variety by originating plant breeder. Breeding seed is progeny of Nucleus seed and these seeds are of high genetic value and costly which has golden yellow tag. Similarly, foundation seed is less pure compared to breeder seed and these seeds have white tags and are available in limited quantity. Certified seed are of two generations and are produced by seed-producing farmers filed with the supervision of seed certifying agencies . There is another seed type which is improved seed which have a wide range of adaptability, tolerance to adverse environmental conditions such as drought, flood and frost It has yellow tag and use for commercial cultivation of crops . Thus there are many other types of seed such as Hybrid seed, Composite seed, Mutant seed, etc.

Present Situation of Quality Seed production In Nepal:

Most of the reputed international companies have their own internal quality control mechanism to maintain seed quality to promote their product. In Nepal, seed entrepreneurs do not have trained persons to carry out internal quality control operations. Therefore, seed development and quality control service section(SDQCS) of DOA, in addition to implementing regular seed producer in internal quality control techniques. Seed quality control system in Nepal Commercial seed production in Nepal initiated and established with the support of various governmental and non-governmental organizations since the late eighties (HVAP, 2011). The Government of Nepal has various Laws, Acts, Policies and Regulations for the quality control in the seed sector. The Interim Constitution has ensured food sovereignty as a basic human right. The running Thirteenth Periodic Plan (2070/71-72/73) has identified the importance of quality seed and prioritized in its activities and strategies. National Agriculture Policy, 2004 is referred to as the guiding policy document for agriculture planning which has also listed seeds of major cereal crops, hybrid seeds and improved seed production and quality control. National Seed Policy, 1999 is the special policy for the seed sector. The policy has highlighted on quality seed production, varietal improvement, seed multiplication, quality control, private sector involvement, supply management, institutional improvement and bio-technology and modern technology.

In Nepal, Seed Act was enacted in 1988 AD that provided seed certification as a voluntary system whereas truthful labelling of notified varieties offered for sale in the market is compulsory. Even though the government of Nepal approved seed regulation in 1997 but most of the seed produced by the public and private sector is marketed without proper testing and labelling. National Seed Board has already developed and published the minimum field and seed standards for certification and truthful labelling in Nepal Rajpatra. SQCC is maintaining these standards through five regional seed testing laboratories. It is, therefore, necessary to improve the present situation of seed quality through proper field inspections, seed testing and certification system.

Problem In Quality Seed Production In Nepal:

Advancement of Seed technologies have increased the agricultural productivity and have also helped to tackle the major challenges through hybridization, trait integration, trait stacking and were complemented by the other agri-input technologies such as micronutrients, efficient water management, integrated pest management practices etc. However, the emerging global challenges like climate change, pest resistance, herbicide tolerance, higher costs to R&D, and supply chain disruptions have made the seed industry facing challenging future. In recent years, the pace of innovation among the agri-input companies in seed sector has slowed noticeably posing a critical challenge not only for companies but also for farmers as well. More innovative approaches are required to feed the world’s increasing population and also to meet the challenges of reducing arable land, increasing demand for more sustainably grown food, and the threat of climate Change. There are various obstacles in producing quality seed there are limited options for increased private sectors and multilingual participations in seed industry. Unregulated cross-border flow of seeds. Low priority for hybrid breeding in rice and maize and vegetables due to weak national capacity and investment. Also, there is a low rate of seed replacement.

Opportunity In Quality Seed Production In Nepal:

National seed programme is in fact a package of activities with the common goal of assuring adequate availability of good quality seeds for farmer. Any weak link in the seed chain if allowed will nullify the effectiveness of the whole seed programmes. The major elements of the seed programme are seed legislation, seed production and management, seed testing and field inspection, quality assurance, seed processing and storage, seed extension seed marketing and distribution and farmers right protection. In varietal development and maintenance breeding,: use of modern breeding techniques, standardization of breeding practices, coordinated support for decentralised variety development, expanded varietal choice and faster breeding cycle are some opportunities. In seed multiplication use of varied agro-ecological conditions, increasing competitiveness of seed entrepreneurs, use of trained human resources and infrastructure (road, communication, banks etc.), integration of different seed production initiatives to avoid duplication and private delivery of public seeds are some of the areas of opportunities. In marketing opportunities exist in enhancing marketing capacities of private sectors, harmonization of export-import regulations, use of high quality packaging materials and supply of sufficient quantity of good quality seeds. From seed consumers perspective, seed promotion campaign, improving demand forecasting monitoring seed use and mechanism for feedback are some of the opportunities.

Conclusion:

Thus demand of quality seed is increasing and to meet the ever-increasing demand import of seeds also increasing. More specifically the quantity of rice and maize import has been increasing every year at an alarming rate. Various governmental and non-governmental efforts have been contributing to increase seed productions. Therefore at most care must be given upon the use of quality seed and thus certification guarantees quality and ensures high and assured yield under environmental stress conditions. This emphasizes the need for increasing the area under quality seed production. So one has to take efforts to produce quality seed to the seedling concept. Similarly, extension services have the potential to better inform and supply farmers. With well-performing varieties coming from formal research and development. They can also help to integrate the product from isolated areas into local and national markets. Male resources can be made available to increase farmers’ capacities to produce select and store seed, particularly for their own traditional varieties. Establishing and promoting community seed banks is one of the best options to enhance access to diverse adapted varies to local community bye strengthening the local community. Thus Quality seeds are important to unfold the potential yield performance of the species and variety.

Writer: Shrijana Poudel (Student, Bsc Ag 4th semester, IAAS Paklihawa Campus)