The document discusses seed certification in India. It states that seed certification is a regulatory process designed to maintain and provide quality seeds to farmers. It ensures genetic purity, freedom from diseases and weeds, and good germination of certified seeds. Seed certification is done according to the Seeds Act of 1966 and Seed Rules of 1968 by state seed certification agencies or the National Seed Corporation where state agencies do not exist. It also discusses the different classes of seeds - breeder seeds, foundation seeds and certified seeds - and the generation system of seed multiplication.

2. V.SANDEEP
VARMA
RAM/11-42

3. SEED CERTIFICATION
Seed Certification is a regulatory process designed to maintain
and make available quality seeds to the farming community.
The main function of seed certification is to encourage the
production of adequate quantities of genetically pure and
good quality seeds, particularly high potential, improved
and hybrid varieties of different crops.
In order to achieve this requirement, the Seed Certification
Department carries out the certification work in various crop
varieties notified under The Seeds Act 1966 and in accordance
with the provisions of the Seed Rules 1968 to maintain the
quality of the seeds produced in the state.
SEED CERTIFICATION
Seed Certification is a regulatory process designed to maintain
and make available quality seeds to the farming community.
The main function of seed certification is to encourage the
production of adequate quantities of genetically pure and
good quality seeds, particularly high potential, improved
and hybrid varieties of different crops.
In order to achieve this requirement, the Seed Certification
Department carries out the certification work in various crop
varieties notified under The Seeds Act 1966 and in accordance
with the provisions of the Seed Rules 1968 to maintain the
quality of the seeds produced in the state.

4. Delouche and Potts (1971) defined seed certification
as a legally sanctioned system for quality control of seed
multiplication and production.
Seed certification procedures are designed to ensure
physical and genetic purity, freedom from weed seeds and
diseases and good germinability of the certified seed.
Seed certification is done by the Seed Certification
Agency (SSCA) of the concerned state or by NSC where such an
agency does not exist.
Delouche and Potts (1971) defined seed certification
as a legally sanctioned system for quality control of seed
multiplication and production.
Seed certification procedures are designed to ensure
physical and genetic purity, freedom from weed seeds and
diseases and good germinability of the certified seed.
Seed certification is done by the Seed Certification
Agency (SSCA) of the concerned state or by NSC where such an
agency does not exist.

5. OBJECTIVE OF SEED
CERTIFICATION
The main objective of the Seed Certification is
to ensure the acceptable standards of seed
viability, vigour, purity and seed health.
A well organized seed certification should help in accomplishing the following
three primary objectives.
The systematic increase of superior varieties;
The identification of new varieties and their rapid increase under
appropriate and generally accepted names.
Provision for continuous supply of comparable material by careful
maintenance

6. Eligibility requirements for
certification
Any variety to become eligible for seed certification should meet the
following requirement:
GENERAl REquIREmENTS
Should be a notified variety under Section-5 of the Indian Seed Act, 1966.
Should be in the production chain and its pedigree should be traceable.
FIElD STANDARDS
Field standards include the selection of site, isolation
requirements, spacing, planting ratio, border rows etc.
SpECIFIC REquIREmENTS
Presence of off-types in any seed crop, pollen-shedders in
Sorghum, Bajra, Sunflower etc., Shedding tassels in maize crosses,
disease affected plants, objectionable weed plants etc., should be within
the maximum permissible levels for certification.

7. GENERAL SEED CERTIFICATION
STANDARDS
I. Purpose of Seed Certification
II. Certification Agency
III. Certified Seed Producer
IV. Eligibility Requirements for Certification of Crop Varieties
V. Classes and Sources of Seed
VI. Phases of Seed Certification
VII. Establishing Source of Seed
VIII. Field Area for Certification
IX. Unit of Certification
X. Use of Chemical Hybridising Agents (CHAs')
XI. Field Inspection
XII. Re-inspection
XIII. Harvesting, Threshing and Transportation
XIV. Bulking
XV. Seed Processing and Packing Schedule

8. XVI. Seed Lot
XVII. Lot Size
XVIII. Construction of Seed Lot Number
.XIX. Seed Processing
XX. Seed Treatment
XXI. Samples and Sampling of Seeds
XXII. Seed Analysis Report.
XIII. Seed Standards of Genetic Purity
XXV. Seed Standards for Insect Damage.
XXVI. Seed Moisture Content
XXVII. Downgrading of Seed Class
XXVII. Specification of the Certification Tag
XXIX. Packing, Tagging, Sealing and Issuance of the Certificate
XXX. Refusal for Certification
XXXI. Validity Period of the Certificate
XXXII. Revocation of Certificate
XXXIII. Retention of Certification Records

9. Field Inspection
a)the field inspection work which requires technically-trained personal, shall
be performed by the persons who have been so authorised by the
Certification Agency.
b) field inspection meant to verify those factors which can cause irreversible
damage to the genetic purity or seed health shall be conducted without prior
notice to the seed producer.
c) soon after the completion of the field inspection, a copy of the report shall
be handed over to the seed produce or his representative.
CONTAMINANTS TO BE OBSERVED DURING FIELD INSPECTION:
Off types
pollen shedders
shedding tassels
inseparable other crop species
objectionable weed seeds
diseased plants

10. PHASES OF SEED CERTIFICATION
Seed Certification is carried out in six broad phases listed as under:
i. Verification of seed source, class and other requirements of the
seed used for raising the seed crop.
ii. Receipt and scrutiny of application.
iii. Inspection of the seed crop in the field to verify its conformity to
the prescribed field standards.
iv. Supervision at post-harvest stages including processing and
packing.
v. Drawing of samples and arranging for analysis to verify
conformity to the seed standards; and
vi.Grant of certificate, issue of certification tags, labelling, sealing
etc.

11. Generation system of seed multiplication
The choice of a proper seed multiplication model is
the key to further success of a seed programme
which basically depends upon,
a. The rate of genetic deterioration
b. Seed multiplication ratio and
c. Total seed demand
Three - Generation model
Breeder seed - Foundation seed - Certified seed
Four - Generation model
Breeder seed - Foundation seed (I)- Foundation seed (II) - Certified seed
Five - Generation model
Breeder seed - Foundation seed (I)- Foundation seed (II) -Certified seed (I) - Certified
seed (II)

12. 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 conform 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.

13. GENETIC PURITY –100%
COLOUR OF TAG --- YELLOW

14. Foundation Seed
Foundation seed is the progeny of breeder seed and is required to
be produced from breeder seed or from foundation seed which can be
clearly traced to breeder seed.
The responsibility for production of foundation seed has been entrusted
to the NSC, SFCI, State Seeds Corporation, State Departments of
Agriculture and private seed producers, who have the necessary
infrastructure facilities.
Foundation seed is required to meet the standards of seed certification
prescribed in the Indian Minimum Seeds Certification Standards, both at
the field and laboratory testing.
Foundation Seed
Foundation seed is the progeny of breeder seed and is required to
be produced from breeder seed or from foundation seed which can be
clearly traced to breeder seed.
The responsibility for production of foundation seed has been entrusted
to the NSC, SFCI, State Seeds Corporation, State Departments of
Agriculture and private seed producers, who have the necessary
infrastructure facilities.
Foundation seed is required to meet the standards of seed certification
prescribed in the Indian Minimum Seeds Certification Standards, both at
the field and laboratory testing.

15. GENETIC PURITY–99.5%
COLOUR OF TAG --- WHITE

16. CertiFied Seed
•Certified Foundation seed shall be the progeny of Breeder seed, or be
produced from Foundation seed which can be clearly traced to Breeder seed
•Certified Foundation seed produced directly from Breeder seed shall be
designated as Foundation seed stage-I;
•Certified Foundation seed produced from Foundation seed stage-I shall be
designated as Foundation seed stage-II;
•Certified Foundation seed stage-II will not be used for further increase of
Foundation seed and shall be used only for production of Certified seed
class;
• Minimum Seed Certification Standards shall be the same for both
Foundation seed stage-I and II and shall contain the information as to its
stage
CertiFied Seed
•Certified Foundation seed shall be the progeny of Breeder seed, or be
produced from Foundation seed which can be clearly traced to Breeder seed
•Certified Foundation seed produced directly from Breeder seed shall be
designated as Foundation seed stage-I;
•Certified Foundation seed produced from Foundation seed stage-I shall be
designated as Foundation seed stage-II;
•Certified Foundation seed stage-II will not be used for further increase of
Foundation seed and shall be used only for production of Certified seed
class;
• Minimum Seed Certification Standards shall be the same for both
Foundation seed stage-I and II and shall contain the information as to its
stage

17. GENETIC PURITY–99%
COLOUR OF TAG --- AZAR BLUE

19. Working since 1963, under the control of the Ministry of Agriculture of
Government of India.
The NSC has pioneered the Indian Seed Industry. It has got best expertise in the
following fields and also renders consultancy services in these areas:
Seed Production Certification Seed Quality Control
Seed Processing, Handling and Packaging Seed Marketing Information
Communication and Public Relations Sales Promotion And Advertising for
Seeds Project Formulation and Project Management
Training in all aspects of Seed Science
Certification/ Approvals
An ISO- Certification 9001:2008
Quality Policy
Quality Objective
An ISO-EMS Certification
14001:2004
Quality Policy
Quality Objective

20. The Central Seed Certification Board
The Central Government shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, establish
a Central Seed Certification Board (hereafter referred to as the Board) under
section 8 A of the Seeds Act, 1966 to advice the central Government and
State Governments on all matters relating to certification and to coordinate
the functioning of the agencies established under section 8.
THE A.P.S.S.C. AGENCY
Andhra Pradesh State Seed Certification Agency was registered under A.P.
(Telangana Area) Public Societies Registration Act Regd. No.334/76, to carry
out the functions of certification agencies under Seeds Act, 1966 in Andhra
Pradesh with effect from 1-7-1977.

21. FUNCTIONS OF SEED CERTIFICATION AGENCY
i)Certify seeds of any notified kinds or varieties.
ii) Out line the procedure for submission of applications for growing, harvesting,
processing, storage and labeling of seeds intended for certification till the end to ensure
that seed lots finally approved for certification are true to variety and meet prescribed
standards for certification under the Act or these rules.
iii) Maintain a list of recognized Breeders of seeds.
iv) Verify, upon receipt of an application for certification that the variety is eligible for
certification that the seed source used for planting was authenticated and the record of
purchase is in accordance with these rules and the fees have been paid.
v) Take sample and inspect seed lots produced under the procedure laid down by the
Certification Agency and have such sample tested to ensure that the seed conforms to
the prescribed standards of certification.
vi) Inspect seed processing plants to see that the admixtures of other kinds and
varieties are not introduced.

22. vii) Ensure that action at all stages, e.g. field inspection, seed processing plant
inspection, analysis of samples taken and issue of certificates (including tags,
labels, seals etc.) is taken expeditiously.
viii) Carry out educational programmers designed to promote the use of
certified seed including a publication listing certified seed growers and source
of certified seed,
ix) Grant of certificates (including tags, labels, seals etc.) in accordance with
the provisions of the Act and these rules.
x) Maintain such records as may be necessary to verify that seed plants for the
production of certified seed were eligible for such planting under these Rules.
xi) Inspect fields to ensure that the minimum standards for isolation, rouging
(where applicable) use of male sterility (where applicable) and similar factors
are main tained at all times, as well as ensure that seed borne diseases are
not present in the field to a greater extent than those provided in the standards
to certification.