What kind of seed is the quality seed?

Botanically defined, a seed is called a mature fertilized mature ovule that posses an embryonic plant, store food material ( endosperm ), and a protective coat ( testa ) which is viable and has the capacity to germinate.  The seed is a means of maintaining one’s genetic (hereditary) existence and preserving one’s life. Many have defined the seed as the means by which the seed of the plant originates. The seed is alive so it should germinate when sown. All seeds can be grains but not all grains or seeds can be seeds and not all seeds may be of good quality.

The most basic element of the production is the seed. Even if we do all the other things well in the production phase, if we do not use quality seeds, our production and productivity will not increase. Therefore, while choosing the seed, it is necessary to pay attention to its quality. Seeds of any variety which have genetic purity, physical purity, suitable moisture, disease tolerance, and healthy and good germination are called quality seeds. The peasantry always wants to increase production and productivity from their fields. Although many resources are used in agricultural production, this is possible only through the use of quality seeds. Therefore, even if the farmer buys the seed from any source or produces the seed of the crop, or when the seed trader distributes the seed, the seed must have the following qualities:

A) Genetic purity:

The main purpose of seed production is to use it in the future. So the seed should always be genetically pure. Crop breeders should be able to maintain uniqueness, uniformity, durability, and useful qualities for cultivation while developing new varieties.

B) Physical purity:

Seeds should be genetically pure as well as physically pure. The combination of seeds of other crops, weeds, and other inert substances in the seed lot reduces the quality of the seeds. Therefore, quality seeds should not contain such unwanted elements or even within the minimum quality of the seed.

C) Viability and germination capacity of seeds:

A seed is like any other living thing. Therefore, if it is not stored or mobilized properly, it deteriorates quickly. The viability of the seed is also an important aspect of the quality of the seed. Therefore, the seed should have as good viability as possible, which gives good returns for healthy plant production.

D) seed vigor:

In nature, there is not always a favorable environment for seeds to germinate and grow. Therefore, when the seed grows in such an environment or when the seedlings are ready, the full activity and acting shown by the seed is called seed vigor. Seeds that can give good results after sowing in the field are called high vigor seeds and those that do not show good results are called low vigor seeds. Since low vigor seeds cannot give expected production and productivity, we should always choose high vigor seeds when choosing seeds.

E) Moisture:

Seed moisture means the amount of water in the seed. It plays a very important role in determining the quality of seeds. The quality of orthodox seeds like food grains, vegetables, oilseeds, pulses, etc. can be maintained for a long time by storing them in low moisture content while the quality of recalcitrant seeds like coffee, litchi, etc. can be maintained for a long time by storing in more than 20 percent moisture.

If the amount of moisture in the orthodox seed is high, the seed will rot faster during storage and the life span of the seed will be reduced which will affect the vitality and the vigor of the seed. Therefore, the moisture content of the seed should not be more than the proper amount.

F) Health:

Seed health refers to the presence or absence of microbes or insects in the seed. If the seed is not healthy, the seed will not germinate and the yield from the growing plant will also decrease. That is why the seed should always be free from diseases or pests. To avoid such problems, the crop rotation systems should be manipulated, seeds should be treated and seeds should be produced by maintaining an isolation distance from the sick plot to the seed production plot.

G) Weight:

Seed weight is also an important factor affecting seed quality. It gives information about how full and plump the seed is. Seed weight is typically calculated on the basis of 1000 seeds. Seeds used for seed production or crop production should always be in accordance with the weight determined by the breeder.

H) Size and type:

Seed sowing should always be of the same size as similar seedlings can be produced to get a good yield.

There is no alternative but to use quality seeds to increase production and productivity and to be a quality seed one must have all the above qualities. When choosing seeds, let’s take care, increase production, and productivity.