The document discusses new dimensions in seed quality assurance. It explains that quality assurance ensures seeds meet minimum quality standards and provides uniformity. Key parameters for quality include variety, purity, physiological status, and health. Quality control tests seeds using standard procedures in accredited labs. Newer dimensions include more precise tests to differentiate similar varieties, reliable GM tests, automation to reduce errors, and guidelines for seed enhancement protocols. Molecular markers can help verify identities, test purity and traits, and detect GM presence. Automation shows potential to improve accuracy by eliminating human error in tests like germination and purity analysis using machine vision and AI. Seed coating, pelleting and new priming technologies can also enhance seed quality but require standardized protocols and rules.

1. New Dimensions to
Seed Quality Assurance
Malavika Dadlani
Former Joint Director (Research),ICAR-IARI, New Delhi
Former President, Ind. Soc. Seed Technology
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2. Seed Quality Assurance
 Quality Assurance is a series of processes and
activities from seed multiplication to marketing
undertaken to ensure that the seeds that reach
the end users (farmers) conform to minimum
quality standards as prescribed under the law.
 QA also provides a uniform and reliable
marketing tool to the seed producing agency.
 It is a combined responsibility of the seed
producer as well as the law enforcing agency.
However, liability in case of marketing sub-
standard seed lies only with the producer.
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3. Key Parameters of Seed Quality
Variety
Purity
Physical Purity
Physiological
Status
Seed Health
Quality
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4. Seed Quality Control
 In simplest terms, seed quality control
mechanism ensures that all seeds in the
market have been tested during crop
production and through post-harvest
operations, and found to meet the quality
standards set for the given crop, and
containers are correctly labelled.
It is a combined responsibility of the seed
producer as well as the law enforcing
agency.
 It provides for actions against selling
spurious or sub-standard seeds.
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5. Critical Stages of Seed Quality Assurance
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6. Seed Certification
 Seed certification is the legally sanctioned system of
quality control, consisting of field and bin
inspections, pre- and post-control tests and seed
quality testing (FAO, 1969). Every country has its own
set of regulations for controlling seed quality.
 As per Indian Seeds Act, 1966, labeling is compulsory
for all seeds, but certification is voluntary and
applicable only to notified varieties. Variety
registration/notification is not compulsory.
 Variety Purity is ascertained through field
inspections at critical growth stages, whereas seed
quality is tested in a notified STL, using an officially
drawn sample .
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7. Criteria for Seed Quality Assurance
QA must cover all critical parameters of seed
quality.
All parameters must be tested precisely,
using standard procedures.
All procedures must be validated by the
concerned authority.
Tests must be performed by the trained &
authorised/licensed personnel/analysts in
notified/accredited laboratories.
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8. Newer Dimensions in Quality Assurance
 Highly competitive plant breeding results in
large number of varieties in seed chain
 Need to develop more precise tests and tools to
differentiate varieties derived from similar
genetic background
 Reliable tests for identification and seed purity
of GM and GE crop varieties
 Automation to reduce time and eliminate
human errors in seed analysis to the extent
possible and
 Guidelines for Seed Enhancement protocols
 Maintainance of large databases
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9. Use of Protein markers : in use for over 3
decades. Still many questions
 A comparison of genetic purity and uniformity of
maize hybrid lot, based on morphological, UPOV
markers and the UTLIEF (Ultrathin-layer isoelectric
focusing) method was made. Tested hybrid
samples expressed uniform protein markers
profiles, but unsatisfactory uniformity of
morphological markers in the field.
 Though the UTLIEF method of ISTA, provided
accurate distinction between F1 and self-pollinated
maternal seed, a "clean" isozyme/protein profile
did not necessarily correlate with morphological
homogeneity. (Babic, 2022)
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10. Application of Molecular Markers in QA
Being Abundant, Specific and Reliable
Molecular Markers can be useful in seed
Quality Assurance in many ways, viz.,
 Verifying the identity of varieties/ parental lines
 Testing seed purity
 Testing trait purity of GM varieties
 Testing adventitious presence of GM seed
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11. Selection of Molecular Markers (UPOV, 2022)
 Criteria for selecting Molecular markers
(a) Repeatability, reproducibility and robustness within
and between laboratories in terms of scoring
(b) Possible sources of molecular markers
- derived from public resources
- derived from non-public resources
- screening and selection of commercially available
species-specific chips & arrays
- molecular markers selected from newly generated
sequence data; and
(c) Avoidance, of markers with “null” alleles (0 marker)
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12. DNA Fingerprinting for variety release
 All identified varieties must be fingerprinted
to check the pilferage of the test-genotypes
(IVT or AVT?)
 The fingerprinting should be done by a
common set of crop specific markers (RFLP,
RAPD, AFLP, SSR, SNPs, GBS) using a common
platform
 Fingerprinting should be carried out by
designated/ specified centers for each crop, so
that the data generated are comparable
 A robust set of markers can distinguish
varieties most reliably.
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13. 25 Rice varieties clearly distinguished using SSR markers
Anand et al, 2012 Pl. Biochem. Biotechnol., 21(2): 173-179.
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14. The PPVFRA, 2001 allows registration of
varieties as EDV
The breeder applies the variety as EDV,
providing the details of the initial
variety (IV)
EDV must retain the expression of the
essential characteristics of the IV
At the same time, it must be clearly
distinguishable from the IV by at least
1 or 2 morphological characters
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15. An Essentially Derived Variety
(EDV) can be developed in various ways
Spontaneous/induced mutagenesis
Selection within a variety
Backcrossing/MABB
Transgenesis
Somaclonal variation
Essentially derived variety
(EDV)
Genome Editing: CRISPR-Cas-9
(Courtesy: A.K. Singh, Seed Seminar, 2017)
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16. Guidelines for Testing EDV/NILs in Rice
➢ Two years of testing of EDVs as against three
years for new varieties
➢ NILs should have at least two phenotypic
characters different from recurrent parent
(IV) to facilitate seed certification
➢ List of markers used for selection to be
provided by the breeder
➢ Sufficient number of markers (usually 96)
spread across all the chromosomes are to be
used to establish EDV status.
v (Adapted from A. K. Singh, 2017)
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17. Use of Markers for Testing Seed Purity
STMS marker RM-258 linked to the fertility restorer gene
used to verify purity of commercial seed of PRH 10.
1 out of 50 was found to be an off-type.
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18. Automation in Quality Assurance
Automation can improve accuracy of seed
testing by eliminating human error.
Development of AI-based technologies has a
great potential. Purity and Germination
testing, key parameters of seed quality, can be
automated, combining machine vision
technology with artificial intelligence for
testing large number of samples.
New vigour tests can be integrated with
machine-based technology.
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19. Image Analysis (Machine Vision)
 Identification of inert matter, other
crop seeds and weed seeds in purity
analysis can be made more precise and
time-efficient by using image analysis
and developing large-scale databases
for various crop species.
 It can also be used for DUS testing of
varieties, and to detect off types in
purity analysis of seeds.
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20. Automation in Germination
Germination Scanalyzer (LemnaTec) is a
fast digital seed germination and seedling
testing tool. It saves time and labour by
automatically analysing seed germination
percentage seedling growth. The digital
metrics give an advantage compared to
counting and visual scoring of seed
germination assays. Scanalyzer software
can be used for germination of many
different seed types.
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21. Other Developments
An automatic monitoring system for germination,
based on deep learning, has recently been designed
(Peng et al, 2022), which includes
 a germination thermostat connected with a 3D
movable camera bin with built-in camera;
 a multifunctional software system capable of
online, offline mode of monitoring; &
 a dense distributed small target detection
algorithm (DDST-CenterNet).
This is cheaper than Scanalyser and its algorithm has
better computational efficiency.
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22. System software interface in Real-time online
monitoring mode (Peng et al, 2022)
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23. New Technologies for
Quality Enhancement
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24. Seed Coating/Pelleting/Encrusting are
common practices these days
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25. Multiple Advantages of Seed Coating
Coating / Pelleting not only improves physical attributes
of seed, but also acts as an effective carrier for other
stimulants and protectants. Also used with Priming.
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26. Coating for Seed Quality Improvement
Effect of Polymer Coating on Ridge gourd seed (Umarani, 2022)
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27. Coating Reduces Pesticide load
 By applying directly on the
seed, use of pesticides can
be reduced by 80-90% as
compared to granular or
spray applications
 Use of polymers further
reduces the dust-off Several
inputs (biological or
chemical) can be
incorporated
simultaneously
Seed
Granules
Spray
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28. Limited Use of Coating/Pelleting
Commercial application of coating, pelleting,
encrusting technology is limited only to TL
seed of vegetables, flowers and hybrids of a
few field crops.
IMSCS and Seed Testing Rules under the
Seeds Act, 1966 do not provide specifications
and protocols for sampling and testing of
coated seed. However, this may be
considered for inclusion in the revision of
Seeds Act after the New Seed Bill is accepted.
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29. New Priming Technologies
Seed priming is an established technology
for enhancing seed quality. A range of new
technologies are emerging which either use
new priming agents or new technology, eg.,
Bio stimulants
Nano Priming
Slow priming at low temperatures
However, no guidelines are available for
commercial application of Priming
Technology.
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30. Biostimulants
• Though PBS can be both chemical or
biological in nature, there is a focussed
approach to identify such molecules
which are required in very small
quantities, biodegradable and
environment-friendly.
• However, in order to make their large
scale application, a regulatory
mechanism must be in place.
• Indian Guidelines have been prepared.
Awaited for final acceptance and quality
control norms.
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31. Biostimulants are very Effective in Improving
Germination & Seedling Growth
• 13 different biostimulants, including Seaweed-based ones, obtained
from 11 species improved germination (88% tests) in 15 crops
(Courtsey: Pawel Wiatrak, Cytozyme; ISC, 2019)

32. It is amply clear that new technologies,
protocols, guidelines and necessary
rules are needed to meet the
requirements of
Variety identity with the rapid
advancements in precision breeding
Growing need for seed quality
enhancement for maximising the
value of each seed and meeting the
challenges of CC.
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33. Thank You!
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Malavikadadlani.md@gmail.com