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Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving
seed quality
Community-Based Seed System
Amadou M. Bèye, Monty P. Jones and Brent M. Simpson
Afr caR ce
CGIAR
GCRAI
About Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice)
The Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) is a leading pan-African research organization working to contribute to
poverty alleviation and food security in Africa through research, development and partnership activities. It is
one of the 15 international agricultural research Centers supported by the Consultative Group on International
Agricultural Research (CGIAR). It is also an autonomous intergovernmental research association of African
member countries.
The Center was created in 1971 by 11 African countries. Today its membership comprises 24 countries,
covering West, Central, East and North African regions, namely Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central
African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt ,Gabon, the Gambia, Ghana,
Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Madagscar, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Senegal,
Sierra Leone, Togo and Uganda.
AfricaRice’s temporary headquarters is based in Cotonou, Benin; research staff are also based in Senegal,
Nigeria, Tanzania and Côte d’Ivoire.
For more information, please visit www.africaricecenter.org
Temporary Headquarters and Research Center
Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice)
01 BP 2031, Cotonou, Benin
Tel.: (229) 21 35 01 88; Fax : (229) 21 35 05 56
E-mail: AfricaRice@cgiar.org
Nigeria Research Station
c/o International Institute of
Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
Oyo Road, PMB 5320
Ibadan
Nigeria
Tel: (234-2) 241 2626
Fax: (234-2) 241 2221
E-mail: f.nwilene@cgiar.org
Sahel Research Station
AfricaRice, B.P. 96,
Saint-Louis,
Senegal
Tel: (221) 962 6493
(221) 962 6441
Fax: (221) 962 6491
E-mail: AfricaRice-sahel@cgiar.org
Tanzania Research Station
c/o Mikocheni B/Kawe
PO Box 33581
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Tel: (255) 222 780 768
(255) 744 788 495
Fax: (255) 222 780 768
E-mail: p.kiepe@cgiar.org
Bouaké Research Station
01 BP 2551 Bouak 01,
Côte d’Ivoire
Tel : (225) 31 63 25 78
Fax : (225) 20 22 01 33
E-mail : a.beye@cgiar.org
Abid an iaison f ce
01 BP 4029, Abidjan 01,
Côte d’Ivoire
Tel : (225) 20 22 01 10
(225) 20 21 28 79
Fax : (225) 20 22 01 33
E-mail : a.beye@cgiar.org
Amadou M. Bèye1
, Monty P. Jones2
and Brent M. Simpson3
1
Africa Rice Center, Cotonou, Benin
2
Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa, Accra, Ghana
3
Michigan State University, USA
2011
Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice)
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving
seed quality
Community-Based Seed System
Afr caR ce
CGIAR
GCRAI
© Copyright Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) 2011
AfricaRice encourages fair use of this material. Proper citation is requested.
The designations employed in the presentation of materials in this publication do not imply
the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice)
concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning
the delimitation of its frontiers and boundaries.
Citation
Bèye, A.M., M.P. Jones and B.M. Simpson, 2009. The Community-based seed system:
Rice farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality. AfricaRice Training Course Collection.
AfricaRice, Cotonou, Benin, xi + 69 p.
ISBN: .................. (print)
Cover picture: Women farmers showing various seeds
Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice)
BP 2031
Cotonou, Benin
Tel. +229 21.35.01.88
Fax +229 21.35.05.56
Email: AfricaRice@cgiar.org
Web site: www.AfricaRice.org
Design: AfricaRice
Layout: PAO Bougou, Bamako, Mali – aissatasylla@paobougou.com
Contents
Preface .................................................................................................................... v
Module I: Recognizing quality seed ..................................................................... 1
What are the characteristics of good quality seed? ............................................. 3
Module II: Seed sources........................................................................................ 5
Where can we obtain quality seed? ..................................................................... 7
Module III: Community-Based Seed System ....................................................... 9
What is the Community-Based Seed System? .................................................. 11
What makes Community-Based Seed System important for you? .................... 12
Module IV: Producing acceptable quality seed................................................. 15
How to produce acceptable quality seed ........................................................... 16
Seed harvesting ............................................................................................................16
Harvesting with a knife ...........................................................................................16
Harvesting with a sickle..........................................................................................18
Seed drying...................................................................................................................20
Seed threshing..............................................................................................................22
Seed winnowing............................................................................................................22
Seed storage.................................................................................................................24
Storage in a granary ..............................................................................................24
Storage in the kitchen.............................................................................................24
Storing in sacks......................................................................................................26
.................................................... 27
The pests involved ............................................................................................. 29
Making neem mash for the eld......................................................................... 29
Making neem oil for seed storage...................................................................... 34
Pepper use......................................................................................................... 34
Module VI: Seed quality control.......................................................................... 37
Conducting a germination test ......................................................................................38
Conducting a varietal purity test....................................................................................40
Conclusions.......................................................................................................... 43
iii
iv
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
The authors are grateful to the following persons who participated in the manual validation
workshop from 27 to 31 March 2001:
N° Surname and names Institution and/or position Location
1. Coulibaly Bema Prefecture Bouaké
2. Nagumo Fujio World Food Program Abidjan
3. Oya Bou Alain ANADER Abidjan
4. Dr Lançon Frederic AfricaRice scientist Bouaké
5. Kouame Christophe CNRA scientist Bouaké
6. Dr N’Degbeu N’Dri ANADER regional delegate Bouaké
7. Dr Traore Amadou Representing MINAGRA regional Director Bouaké
8. Kouame N’Dri ANADER specialized technician Mankono
9. Kouakou Kouadio Leonard ANADER specialized technician Vavoua
10. Latah Sour ANADER specialized technician Divo
11. Tiapo Kouame Felix ANADER specialized technician Katiola
12. Kpangassa Yao ANADER specialized technician Man
13. Soro Klotioloma ANADER specialized technician Bondoukou
14. Kouakou Yao Marc ANADER specialized technician Beoumi
15. Yapi Martial ANADER specialized technician Korhogo
16. Sylla Youssouf ANADER specialized technician Seguela
17. Mme Gbo Dzamla Amin ANADER specialized technician Bouaké
18. Koulou Nazarette ANADER specialized technician Bouna
19. D.E. Kouassi ANADER specialized technician Sakassou
20. Dje Bi Dje Felix ANADER specialized technician Dabakala
21. Diarrassouba Karim ANADER specialized technician Tabou
22. Gaille Blaigouere ANADER zone leader Korhogo
23. Cisse Ibrahima ANADER specialized technician Bouaké
24. Diarrassouba Ousmane ANADER specialized technician Bouaké
25. Dr Kadisha Katlombo ANADER specialized technician Bouaké
26. Diaby Karamoko ANADER specialized technician Yamoussoukro
27. Mme Amangoua Therese ANADER specialized technician Bouaké
28. Kissy Kraidy Michel ANADER specialized technician Bouaké
29. Toure Aboukari Sekou ANADER specialized technician Bouaké
30. Kouame Kouame Joseph ANADER specialized technician Abengourou
31. Yapo Yapo Jean Paul ANADER trainer Grand Lahou
32. Kouassi N’Goran Zone Leader Man
33. Akpoue Yao MINAGRA Bouaké
34. Gabehonry Karidioula Research Assistant Man
35. Dr N’Guessan Placide CNRA scientist Man
36. Kouadio N’Guessan Farmer Beoumi
37. Kouakou Kouakou Kan Farmer Beoumi
38. Kouakou Kossonou Farmer Bondoukou
39. Mme Ouattara Manaman Farmer Bondoukou
40. Mme Dabire Ziem Monique Farmer Bouna
41. Kambou Loufate Pierre Farmer Bouna
43. Ouamien Konan Prosper Farmer Brobo
44. Coulibaly Siaka Farmer Dabakala
45. Ouattara Tiguesolo Farmer Dabakala
46. Berte Moussa Farmer Katiola
47. Traore Karim Farmer Katiola
48. Kouassi N. Valentin Farmer Sakassou
49. Kouame N. Raymond Farmer Sakassou
50. Yeo Zana Farmer Niofouin
51. Pregnon Gnaore OVDL NGO Chairman Bouaké
52. Pregnon Zokou OVDL NGO Secretary Bouaké
53. Mme Abibatou Diallo OVDL NGO Project Coordinator Bouaké
54. Kpla Kadio Georges IDC NGO Coorperative Leader Agou
Resource persons
1. Dr. Guei Robert INGER-Africa Coordinator, AfricaRice Bouaké
2. Dr. Goly Ankon ANADER Seed Service Head Abidjan
3. Konan Gnamien ANADER Training Unit Head Bouaké
4. Ipou Gbangbo National Rice Project Yamoussoukro
5. N’Zue Kouame LANADA Yamoussoukro
Drawings: Inkpe Perpetue
v
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Preface
Lack of quality seed constitutes one of the major constraints to improving
rice production in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) deeply appreciates your expertise
in rice seed production and seed conservation and your contributions to
the preservation of traditional varieties. Through this guide, AfricaRice
village community seed supply.
This practical guide i) provides information and training material; ii)
explains in detail the characteristics of good seed and describes the various
operations towards ensuring quality seed production; iii) aims to promote
a better understanding of indigenous rice production and conservation
techniques, strengthen traditional seed dissemination networks, and
facilitate the establishment of small-scale seed enterprises in rural areas.
AfricaRice hopes that the guide will help you improve the quality of
your seed to meet your own requirements and the needs of your local
community.
Papa Abdoulaye Seck
Director General
Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice)
Module I
Recognizing quality seed
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
2
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Module I: Recognizing quality seed
Seed diversity
3
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Module I: Recognizing quality seed
Photographs 1 and 2: Damaged Seed
What are the characteristics of good quality seed?
Good quality seed must:
have a good physical appearance
have no signs of damage
be free of infestation by insects
be free from infection by diseases
have a high level of varietal purity and
germinate well.
Good quality seed must show a good homogeneity in:
Shape
Grain size
Color
Presence or absence of hair
Presence or absence of awns
etc.
4
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Module I: Recognizing quality seed
Photograph 3: Unhealthy Seed
Photo 4. Good quality seed
Damaged seed deteriorates quickly in storage. It can be a
source of disease infection.
Module II
Seed sources
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
6
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Module II: Seed sources
7
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Module II: Seed sources
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Where can we obtain quality seed?
You can obtain quality seed from the extension services, non-governmental
research stations. He/she can, upon a request from many farmers, facilitate
the implementation of participatory varietal selection trials or farmer-led
demonstration tests to acquaint you with new varieties from which you
can choose.
Photograph : Where can we nd good seed?
Local seed
Seed from research stations
Seed sold at
the market
Seed from
neighbors and
relatives
Seed from
extension services
Certi ed seed
8
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Module II: Seed sources
Quality output partly depends on the quality of the seed
used. Therefore, always plant quality seed.
9
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Module III: Community-Based Seed System
Module III
Community-Based Seed System
10
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Module III: Community-Based Seed System
Women play an important role in seed conservation and seed
seed is an appreciable source of income.
11
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Module III: Community-Based Seed System
What is the Community-Based Seed System?
The Community-Based Seed System was developed by adding value to
farmers’practices in seed production, seed conservation and seed diffusion.
It helps you to obtain seed of acceptable quality.
Seed of acceptable quality can be produced by any farmer who wishes
to do so. He/she must, however, take a number of practical precautions
during the production and conservation of his/her seed to ensure:
A germination rate above 80 per cent
A varietal purity above 90 per cent.
Evaluation and awareness raising workshops
farmers and technicians on methods designed to improve seed quality. The
aim of the evaluation and awareness raising workshops is to:
Consolidate achievements in seed production, and
on the establishment of a village community level seed value chain,
information dissemination on available stocks and on farmers’ needs,
etc.
Recommendations have been made in this guide for markedly improving
the quality of seed production and to ensure a good seed maintenance
years while germination and varietal purity tests are conducted every
year.
12
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Module III: Community-Based Seed System
What makes Community-Based Seed System important
for you?
The Community-Based Seed System helps you to:
Have access early to new improved varieties
Have access to quality seed in order to improve production and generate
more income
Share good seed with your neighbors and thereby improve the quality
of seed used by the inhabitants of the village community
Make money by selling seed
problems in your locality.
You can produce quality seed through the Community-
Based Seed System, and thereby become a commercial
seed producer.
The Community-Based Seed System is like the system you
are used to and does not need any additional resources.
13
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Module III: Community-Based Seed System
Community-Based
Seed System
for sustainable
agriculture
To ascertain the quality of your
seed, conduct germination tests
Before starting to harvest with a knife,
select the best panicles and make up your
own seed
Dry the seed very well in the
sun. Separate each variety.
Carefully conserve the bundles
Harvest with a sickle: Select eld portions
with vigorous plants. Remove off-types and
then harvest your seed before harvesting the
rice meant for consumption.
Dry and then thresh the seed. Avoid the risks of
mixing the varieties.
Use natural insecticides against
pests
Quality seed is a guarantee for
good crop production
Afr caR ce CGIAR
14
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Module III: Community-Based Seed System
Module IV
Producing acceptable quality
seed
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
16
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Module IV: Producing acceptable quality seed
Once you have obtained quality seed from seed producers or traders in
your locality, conduct germination and varietal purity tests. If the results
are acceptable, you can use the seed on your farm and follow your usual
cropping practices. Do not forget to conduct the harvest and post-harvest
operations very well. They are critical for ensuring good maintenance of
How to produce acceptable quality seed
The key ideas mentioned below will help you to produce acceptable quality
seed to meet your own needs and the needs of your village community.
Seed harvesting
Harvesting is an important stage in the quality seed production process.
Whether it is conducted with a knife or a sickle, the following precautionary
steps must be taken:
Harvesting with a knife
1) Identify the vigorous plants from which seed will be harvested
mature and disease-free
3) Bundle up the panicles harvested
4) Set the bundles aside to be used as seed
6) Take necessary precautionary steps to avoid mixing the bundles during
transportation
7) Keep the seed and ordinary paddy separately.
17
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Module IV: Producing acceptable quality seed
Select the heavily lled, dense and sound panicles
Quality seed Dry in the open eld
Beautiful rice eld Select the best panicles
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Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Module IV: Producing acceptable quality seed
Harvesting with a sickle
as seed.
(plants that do not look like your variety). This operation is called
roguing.
6) Take necessary precautions to avoid admixtures when transporting the
seed.
Off-type plants are known by:
variety
variety
variety
that of your variety
of your variety
absence of hairs in conformity with your variety
absence of awns on grains in conformity with your variety.
19
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Module IV: Producing acceptable quality seed
Field with off-type plants Quality seed
Remove off-type plants Harvest with a sickle
Beautiful plot, after roguing
Remove off-type plants before harvesting with a sickle
Afr caR ce CGIAR
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Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Module IV: Producing acceptable quality seed
Seed drying
Good drying ensures good seed storage. Well dried seeds suffer less
physiological deterioration as well as low insect infestation and disease
infection in storage.
To properly dry your seed:
cloth in the open air. This operation must be repeated each day for
about a week
sun’s rays. However avoid drying the seed directly under the scorching
sun, whose heat may damage the seed
inadequate drying can cause dampness and moldiness.
high cloud overcast and high relative humidity. It is advisable in this
case to spread the seed in the kitchen or in a well ventilated room to
reduce the seed moisture content. The seed can then be kept well above
forest zones.
Good drying facilitates seed longevity and protects seed
against diseases and insects.
21
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Module IV: Producing acceptable quality seed
Dry harvested seed well
Good density from good seed
Drying oor
Turn the seed over several times Quality seed
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Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Module IV: Producing acceptable quality seed
Seed threshing
Threshing is a delicate operation. It involves the application of external
force on rice panicles to dislodge the grains. When this is badly done the
seed can be damaged.
The risk of seed admixture is high during threshing. This is the reason for
recommending the following steps:
impurities.
Seed winnowing
Just like drying and threshing, winnowing is an important operation for
ensuring good quality of seed with regard to purity. It involves removing
impurities such as straw, plant debris, weed seeds, insects, stones and
immature grains from your variety.
To ensure good winnowing, the farmer must:
tarpaulin or cloth
NB: If winnowing is done with a machine, the farmer must check to
ensure that the thresher-cleaner is cleaned well after each operation to
avoid mixing varieties.
23
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Module IV: Producing acceptable quality seed
Thresh the varieties separately
Threshing
Beautiful eld from a good seed
Winnowing Quality seed
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Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Module IV: Producing acceptable quality seed
Seed storage
Conservation is a long and critical phase in seed management. Depending
on the methods used, the seed can remain healthy and viable over a long
than traditional varieties because of their low dormancy.
The usual storage methods used by farmers are well adapted to their
resources. However, practical precautionary measures are necessary to
ensure good seed quality.
Storage in a granary
2) Clean the granary well
3) Check whether the seed is well dried before storing it in the granary
4) Avoid the mixing of varieties
5) Open the granary from time to time to ensure good ventilation.
NB: If necessary, use insecticides to control storage pests. Natural
insecticides can be prepared for that purpose from local and natural
sources.
Storage in the kitchen
1) Check whether the seed is well dried before storing it
3) Spread out the bundles per variety.
4) Maintain low heat under the seed, as high temperatures can damage
the seed. If the seed becomes infested by insects, burn green wood or
pepper leaves to ward off the insects.
25
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Module IV: Producing acceptable quality seed
Conserve your seed well
Use natural insecticides
Good seed from
good storage
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Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Module IV: Producing acceptable quality seed
Storing in sacks
1) Check whether the seed is well dried before storing it
2) Check whether the bags are well cleaned
3) Treat the seed with a natural or synthetic insecticide
4) Store the seed in sacks
5) Lay the sacks on pieces of wood or palettes to ensure good ventilation
and avoid dampness.
the granary. This is particularly not recommended when many varieties
are kept in the same place.
Module V
Control of eld and storage
pests
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
28
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Neem tree
29
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
There are many natural and synthetic insecticide products but the control
methods proposed in this guide mainly involve the use of natural products.
pepper, mint, smoke, clay, ash, quicklime, etc. Storage in drums and bottles
is commonly used. Diseases can be controlled using resistant varieties and
adequate drying.
The pests involved
The most common insect pests of rice are the African rice gall midge, rice
stem borer, striped stem borer, pink stem borer, army worm, rice beetle,
Making neem mash for the eld
1) Pick ripe neem fruits
2) Clean the fruits with water. Rub them well to remove their yellow coat
3) Dry the grains in the sun for about one to two days.
4) Crush the grains in a mortar to recover the pulp.
6) Pour the powder in a bucket containing 10 liters of water. Mix well and
then leave for a whole night.
7) Filter the mash with a cloth material to avoid clogging the sprayer.
However, if the mash is to be applied with a broom, you do not need to
8) Spray the plants with the mash.
NB: Neem products do not kill the insects, but prevent them from damaging
the plants. The treatment is conducted once a week.
30
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Main eld pests
Termites (workers and
soldiers)
Stalk-eyed y
Grasshopper
Sucking bugs Mole cricket Rice case worm
(lowlands)
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Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Main eld pests
Striped stem borer Pink stem borer
Army worm African rice gall midge
(lowlands)
White stem borer Rice beetle
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Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Neem mash preparation
and use
1. Pick ripe grains 2. Store the grains
3. Rinse the grains well
5. Dry the grains in the
sun
4. Spread the grains on the
oor
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Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Neem mash preparation
and use
6. Crush the grains in a mortar
and then sort out the pulps
7. Prepare neem powder
and add soap
8. Mix the mash well and leave
it to rest the whole night
9. Apply with a broom. If
applying with a sprayer,
lter the mash
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Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Making neem oil for seed storage
1) Pick ripe neem fruits.
2) Clean the fruits with water. Rub them well to remove their yellow coat
3) Dry the grains well in the sun for about one week.
4) Crush the grains in a mortar to recover the kernel.
5) Pound about 30 handfuls of kernel and then recover the powder.
6) Press the powder in a bucket to obtain the oil.
7) Treat the seed to be stored with the oil. On the average, one kilogram
of powder can produce enough oil to treat two bags (50 kg) of seed.
NB: Treatment is conducted once every two months. Dry neem leaves
mixed with the seed in bags can also be used.
Pepper use
1) Pick fresh ripe pepper.
2) Leave the pepper to dry in the sun for about one week.
3) Pound the pepper in a mortar. Collect the powder.
4) Mix the powder with soap water.
5) Leave the mixture to rest for a whole night.
6) Shake the mixture in the morning of the following day and then treat
the seed with it. On the average, three to four spoonfuls of pepper
mixed with one liter of soap water is enough to treat one bag (50 kg) of
seed.
NB: Treatment is conducted once every two months.
35
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Main storage insect pests
Grain moth
Red beetle Weevil
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Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Module VI
Seed quality control
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
38
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Module VI: Seed quality control
Conducting a germination test
Before seeding, it is critical to check whether the seed can germinate well
or not. You should therefore conduct a germination test.
1) Obtain a plate to conduct the experiment.
2) Lay on the plate a wet cloth material.
3) Collect 100 seeds and lay them on the cloth material.
4) Cover the seed by joining up the four corners of the cloth material.
5) Keep the plate in a safe and shaded area.
6) Add water each time it becomes necessary.
By the end of one week, open the cloth material and count the number of
seeds that have germinated.
NB: For the reliability of the results, replicate the test three times.
If more than 80 seeds germinate, the seed is good and can be seeded at
the recommended planting rate.
If less than 80 seeds germinate, the quantity of seed to be used per
correct the planting rate per hectare or if necessary recommend seed
renewal.
39
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Module VI: Seed quality control
Conduct a germination test
1. Plate
2. Lay a wet cloth
material on the plate
3. Put 100 grains on the
cloth material
6. If less than 80 grains have
germinated, increase seed
quantity
6. If more than
80 grains have
germinated, the seed
is good
4. Cover the plate
5. Check germination rate at the end of one week
To check seed germination
qualityAfr caR ce CGIAR
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Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Module VI: Seed quality control
Conducting a varietal purity test
1. Set up one kilogram of randomly collected seed sample.
2. Sort out the sample by separating it into two groups:
The pure seed group. This seed must fully look like the standard
checks given to the seed producers’ organizations;
The other group (inert matter, broken seeds less than half original
size, stones, dead insects, broken sticks, etc.)
3. Ascertain the weight of each group.
4. If the weight of the pure seed is nine times higher than the weight of the
other matters, the seed is considered as good. If this is not the case, the
farmer must consider removing the other materials or renewing his/her
seed.
The purity test must be replicated three times with different samples for
the reliability of the results.
Standards of 50 g each are given to seed producers’ organizations. They
are used as standard checks in case of any doubt about the variety.
41
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Module VI: Seed quality control
Varietal purity test
Randomly select one kilogram of seed sample
Separate seed and impurities. Weigh each group and then ascertain
the purity rate of your variety
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Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Module VI: Seed quality control
Seed from good monitoring
43
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
43
Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
Conclusions
The main information in the practical guide is basically derived from
farmers’expertise and practices. It has been slightly improved by a number
of farmers, who have become seed producers.
seed is subjected to biological deterioration risks (low germination rate,
disease attacks) or physical risks (seed mixture during harvest, drying,
threshing, winnowing and conservation operations).
Farmers’organizations, cooperatives and unions can be of great support in
selling your seed in the neighboring village communities or on the national
markets.
About the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)
The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) is a global partnership
that unites organizations engaged in research for sustainable development with the funders of
this work. The funders include developing and industrialized country governments, foundations,
and international and regional organizations. The work they support is carried out by 15 members
of the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers, in close collaboration with
hundreds of partner organizations, including national and regional research institutes, civil society
organizations, academia, and the private sector.
CGIAR Centers
AfricaRice Africa Rice Center (Cotonou, Benin)
Bioversity International Bioversity International (Rome, Italy)
CIAT Centro Internaçional de Agricultura Tropical (Cali, Colombia)
CIFOR Center for International Forestry Research (Bogor, Indonesia)
CIMMYT Centro Internaçional de Mejoramiento de Maiz y Trigo (Mexico, DF, Mexico)
CIP Centro Internaçional de la Papa (Lima, Peru)
ICARDA International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (Aleppo, Syria)
ICRISAT International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (Patancheru, India)
IFPRI International Food Policy Research Institute (Washington, DC, USA)
IITA International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (Ibadan, Nigeria)
ILRI International Livestock Research Institute (Nairobi, Kenya)
IRRI International Rice Research Institute (Los Baños, Philippines)
IWMI International Water Management Institute (Colombo, Sri Lanka)
World Agroforestry World Agroforestry Centre (Nairobi, Kenya)
WorldFish WorldFish Center (Penang, Malaysia)
Afr caR ce
Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice)
01 B.P. 2031, Cotonou, Benin
www.AfricaRice.org

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CBSS_ Rice Farmers Guide

  • 1. Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Community-Based Seed System Amadou M. Bèye, Monty P. Jones and Brent M. Simpson Afr caR ce CGIAR GCRAI
  • 2. About Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) The Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) is a leading pan-African research organization working to contribute to poverty alleviation and food security in Africa through research, development and partnership activities. It is one of the 15 international agricultural research Centers supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). It is also an autonomous intergovernmental research association of African member countries. The Center was created in 1971 by 11 African countries. Today its membership comprises 24 countries, covering West, Central, East and North African regions, namely Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt ,Gabon, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Madagscar, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo and Uganda. AfricaRice’s temporary headquarters is based in Cotonou, Benin; research staff are also based in Senegal, Nigeria, Tanzania and Côte d’Ivoire. For more information, please visit www.africaricecenter.org Temporary Headquarters and Research Center Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) 01 BP 2031, Cotonou, Benin Tel.: (229) 21 35 01 88; Fax : (229) 21 35 05 56 E-mail: AfricaRice@cgiar.org Nigeria Research Station c/o International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Oyo Road, PMB 5320 Ibadan Nigeria Tel: (234-2) 241 2626 Fax: (234-2) 241 2221 E-mail: f.nwilene@cgiar.org Sahel Research Station AfricaRice, B.P. 96, Saint-Louis, Senegal Tel: (221) 962 6493 (221) 962 6441 Fax: (221) 962 6491 E-mail: AfricaRice-sahel@cgiar.org Tanzania Research Station c/o Mikocheni B/Kawe PO Box 33581 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Tel: (255) 222 780 768 (255) 744 788 495 Fax: (255) 222 780 768 E-mail: p.kiepe@cgiar.org Bouaké Research Station 01 BP 2551 Bouak 01, Côte d’Ivoire Tel : (225) 31 63 25 78 Fax : (225) 20 22 01 33 E-mail : a.beye@cgiar.org Abid an iaison f ce 01 BP 4029, Abidjan 01, Côte d’Ivoire Tel : (225) 20 22 01 10 (225) 20 21 28 79 Fax : (225) 20 22 01 33 E-mail : a.beye@cgiar.org
  • 3. Amadou M. Bèye1 , Monty P. Jones2 and Brent M. Simpson3 1 Africa Rice Center, Cotonou, Benin 2 Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa, Accra, Ghana 3 Michigan State University, USA 2011 Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Community-Based Seed System Afr caR ce CGIAR GCRAI
  • 4. © Copyright Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) 2011 AfricaRice encourages fair use of this material. Proper citation is requested. The designations employed in the presentation of materials in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers and boundaries. Citation Bèye, A.M., M.P. Jones and B.M. Simpson, 2009. The Community-based seed system: Rice farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality. AfricaRice Training Course Collection. AfricaRice, Cotonou, Benin, xi + 69 p. ISBN: .................. (print) Cover picture: Women farmers showing various seeds Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) BP 2031 Cotonou, Benin Tel. +229 21.35.01.88 Fax +229 21.35.05.56 Email: AfricaRice@cgiar.org Web site: www.AfricaRice.org Design: AfricaRice Layout: PAO Bougou, Bamako, Mali – aissatasylla@paobougou.com
  • 5. Contents Preface .................................................................................................................... v Module I: Recognizing quality seed ..................................................................... 1 What are the characteristics of good quality seed? ............................................. 3 Module II: Seed sources........................................................................................ 5 Where can we obtain quality seed? ..................................................................... 7 Module III: Community-Based Seed System ....................................................... 9 What is the Community-Based Seed System? .................................................. 11 What makes Community-Based Seed System important for you? .................... 12 Module IV: Producing acceptable quality seed................................................. 15 How to produce acceptable quality seed ........................................................... 16 Seed harvesting ............................................................................................................16 Harvesting with a knife ...........................................................................................16 Harvesting with a sickle..........................................................................................18 Seed drying...................................................................................................................20 Seed threshing..............................................................................................................22 Seed winnowing............................................................................................................22 Seed storage.................................................................................................................24 Storage in a granary ..............................................................................................24 Storage in the kitchen.............................................................................................24 Storing in sacks......................................................................................................26 .................................................... 27 The pests involved ............................................................................................. 29 Making neem mash for the eld......................................................................... 29 Making neem oil for seed storage...................................................................... 34 Pepper use......................................................................................................... 34 Module VI: Seed quality control.......................................................................... 37 Conducting a germination test ......................................................................................38 Conducting a varietal purity test....................................................................................40 Conclusions.......................................................................................................... 43 iii
  • 6. iv Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality The authors are grateful to the following persons who participated in the manual validation workshop from 27 to 31 March 2001: N° Surname and names Institution and/or position Location 1. Coulibaly Bema Prefecture Bouaké 2. Nagumo Fujio World Food Program Abidjan 3. Oya Bou Alain ANADER Abidjan 4. Dr Lançon Frederic AfricaRice scientist Bouaké 5. Kouame Christophe CNRA scientist Bouaké 6. Dr N’Degbeu N’Dri ANADER regional delegate Bouaké 7. Dr Traore Amadou Representing MINAGRA regional Director Bouaké 8. Kouame N’Dri ANADER specialized technician Mankono 9. Kouakou Kouadio Leonard ANADER specialized technician Vavoua 10. Latah Sour ANADER specialized technician Divo 11. Tiapo Kouame Felix ANADER specialized technician Katiola 12. Kpangassa Yao ANADER specialized technician Man 13. Soro Klotioloma ANADER specialized technician Bondoukou 14. Kouakou Yao Marc ANADER specialized technician Beoumi 15. Yapi Martial ANADER specialized technician Korhogo 16. Sylla Youssouf ANADER specialized technician Seguela 17. Mme Gbo Dzamla Amin ANADER specialized technician Bouaké 18. Koulou Nazarette ANADER specialized technician Bouna 19. D.E. Kouassi ANADER specialized technician Sakassou 20. Dje Bi Dje Felix ANADER specialized technician Dabakala 21. Diarrassouba Karim ANADER specialized technician Tabou 22. Gaille Blaigouere ANADER zone leader Korhogo 23. Cisse Ibrahima ANADER specialized technician Bouaké 24. Diarrassouba Ousmane ANADER specialized technician Bouaké 25. Dr Kadisha Katlombo ANADER specialized technician Bouaké 26. Diaby Karamoko ANADER specialized technician Yamoussoukro 27. Mme Amangoua Therese ANADER specialized technician Bouaké 28. Kissy Kraidy Michel ANADER specialized technician Bouaké 29. Toure Aboukari Sekou ANADER specialized technician Bouaké 30. Kouame Kouame Joseph ANADER specialized technician Abengourou 31. Yapo Yapo Jean Paul ANADER trainer Grand Lahou 32. Kouassi N’Goran Zone Leader Man 33. Akpoue Yao MINAGRA Bouaké 34. Gabehonry Karidioula Research Assistant Man 35. Dr N’Guessan Placide CNRA scientist Man 36. Kouadio N’Guessan Farmer Beoumi 37. Kouakou Kouakou Kan Farmer Beoumi 38. Kouakou Kossonou Farmer Bondoukou 39. Mme Ouattara Manaman Farmer Bondoukou 40. Mme Dabire Ziem Monique Farmer Bouna 41. Kambou Loufate Pierre Farmer Bouna 43. Ouamien Konan Prosper Farmer Brobo 44. Coulibaly Siaka Farmer Dabakala 45. Ouattara Tiguesolo Farmer Dabakala 46. Berte Moussa Farmer Katiola 47. Traore Karim Farmer Katiola 48. Kouassi N. Valentin Farmer Sakassou 49. Kouame N. Raymond Farmer Sakassou 50. Yeo Zana Farmer Niofouin 51. Pregnon Gnaore OVDL NGO Chairman Bouaké 52. Pregnon Zokou OVDL NGO Secretary Bouaké 53. Mme Abibatou Diallo OVDL NGO Project Coordinator Bouaké 54. Kpla Kadio Georges IDC NGO Coorperative Leader Agou Resource persons 1. Dr. Guei Robert INGER-Africa Coordinator, AfricaRice Bouaké 2. Dr. Goly Ankon ANADER Seed Service Head Abidjan 3. Konan Gnamien ANADER Training Unit Head Bouaké 4. Ipou Gbangbo National Rice Project Yamoussoukro 5. N’Zue Kouame LANADA Yamoussoukro Drawings: Inkpe Perpetue
  • 7. v Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Preface Lack of quality seed constitutes one of the major constraints to improving rice production in sub-Saharan Africa. The Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) deeply appreciates your expertise in rice seed production and seed conservation and your contributions to the preservation of traditional varieties. Through this guide, AfricaRice village community seed supply. This practical guide i) provides information and training material; ii) explains in detail the characteristics of good seed and describes the various operations towards ensuring quality seed production; iii) aims to promote a better understanding of indigenous rice production and conservation techniques, strengthen traditional seed dissemination networks, and facilitate the establishment of small-scale seed enterprises in rural areas. AfricaRice hopes that the guide will help you improve the quality of your seed to meet your own requirements and the needs of your local community. Papa Abdoulaye Seck Director General Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice)
  • 8.
  • 9. Module I Recognizing quality seed Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
  • 10. 2 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Module I: Recognizing quality seed Seed diversity
  • 11. 3 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Module I: Recognizing quality seed Photographs 1 and 2: Damaged Seed What are the characteristics of good quality seed? Good quality seed must: have a good physical appearance have no signs of damage be free of infestation by insects be free from infection by diseases have a high level of varietal purity and germinate well. Good quality seed must show a good homogeneity in: Shape Grain size Color Presence or absence of hair Presence or absence of awns etc.
  • 12. 4 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Module I: Recognizing quality seed Photograph 3: Unhealthy Seed Photo 4. Good quality seed Damaged seed deteriorates quickly in storage. It can be a source of disease infection.
  • 13. Module II Seed sources Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
  • 14. 6 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Module II: Seed sources
  • 15. 7 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Module II: Seed sources Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Where can we obtain quality seed? You can obtain quality seed from the extension services, non-governmental research stations. He/she can, upon a request from many farmers, facilitate the implementation of participatory varietal selection trials or farmer-led demonstration tests to acquaint you with new varieties from which you can choose. Photograph : Where can we nd good seed? Local seed Seed from research stations Seed sold at the market Seed from neighbors and relatives Seed from extension services Certi ed seed
  • 16. 8 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Module II: Seed sources Quality output partly depends on the quality of the seed used. Therefore, always plant quality seed.
  • 17. 9 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Module III: Community-Based Seed System Module III Community-Based Seed System
  • 18. 10 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Module III: Community-Based Seed System Women play an important role in seed conservation and seed seed is an appreciable source of income.
  • 19. 11 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Module III: Community-Based Seed System What is the Community-Based Seed System? The Community-Based Seed System was developed by adding value to farmers’practices in seed production, seed conservation and seed diffusion. It helps you to obtain seed of acceptable quality. Seed of acceptable quality can be produced by any farmer who wishes to do so. He/she must, however, take a number of practical precautions during the production and conservation of his/her seed to ensure: A germination rate above 80 per cent A varietal purity above 90 per cent. Evaluation and awareness raising workshops farmers and technicians on methods designed to improve seed quality. The aim of the evaluation and awareness raising workshops is to: Consolidate achievements in seed production, and on the establishment of a village community level seed value chain, information dissemination on available stocks and on farmers’ needs, etc. Recommendations have been made in this guide for markedly improving the quality of seed production and to ensure a good seed maintenance years while germination and varietal purity tests are conducted every year.
  • 20. 12 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Module III: Community-Based Seed System What makes Community-Based Seed System important for you? The Community-Based Seed System helps you to: Have access early to new improved varieties Have access to quality seed in order to improve production and generate more income Share good seed with your neighbors and thereby improve the quality of seed used by the inhabitants of the village community Make money by selling seed problems in your locality. You can produce quality seed through the Community- Based Seed System, and thereby become a commercial seed producer. The Community-Based Seed System is like the system you are used to and does not need any additional resources.
  • 21. 13 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Module III: Community-Based Seed System Community-Based Seed System for sustainable agriculture To ascertain the quality of your seed, conduct germination tests Before starting to harvest with a knife, select the best panicles and make up your own seed Dry the seed very well in the sun. Separate each variety. Carefully conserve the bundles Harvest with a sickle: Select eld portions with vigorous plants. Remove off-types and then harvest your seed before harvesting the rice meant for consumption. Dry and then thresh the seed. Avoid the risks of mixing the varieties. Use natural insecticides against pests Quality seed is a guarantee for good crop production Afr caR ce CGIAR
  • 22. 14 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Module III: Community-Based Seed System
  • 23. Module IV Producing acceptable quality seed Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
  • 24. 16 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Module IV: Producing acceptable quality seed Once you have obtained quality seed from seed producers or traders in your locality, conduct germination and varietal purity tests. If the results are acceptable, you can use the seed on your farm and follow your usual cropping practices. Do not forget to conduct the harvest and post-harvest operations very well. They are critical for ensuring good maintenance of How to produce acceptable quality seed The key ideas mentioned below will help you to produce acceptable quality seed to meet your own needs and the needs of your village community. Seed harvesting Harvesting is an important stage in the quality seed production process. Whether it is conducted with a knife or a sickle, the following precautionary steps must be taken: Harvesting with a knife 1) Identify the vigorous plants from which seed will be harvested mature and disease-free 3) Bundle up the panicles harvested 4) Set the bundles aside to be used as seed 6) Take necessary precautionary steps to avoid mixing the bundles during transportation 7) Keep the seed and ordinary paddy separately.
  • 25. 17 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Module IV: Producing acceptable quality seed Select the heavily lled, dense and sound panicles Quality seed Dry in the open eld Beautiful rice eld Select the best panicles Afr caR ce CGIAR
  • 26. 18 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Module IV: Producing acceptable quality seed Harvesting with a sickle as seed. (plants that do not look like your variety). This operation is called roguing. 6) Take necessary precautions to avoid admixtures when transporting the seed. Off-type plants are known by: variety variety variety that of your variety of your variety absence of hairs in conformity with your variety absence of awns on grains in conformity with your variety.
  • 27. 19 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Module IV: Producing acceptable quality seed Field with off-type plants Quality seed Remove off-type plants Harvest with a sickle Beautiful plot, after roguing Remove off-type plants before harvesting with a sickle Afr caR ce CGIAR
  • 28. 20 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Module IV: Producing acceptable quality seed Seed drying Good drying ensures good seed storage. Well dried seeds suffer less physiological deterioration as well as low insect infestation and disease infection in storage. To properly dry your seed: cloth in the open air. This operation must be repeated each day for about a week sun’s rays. However avoid drying the seed directly under the scorching sun, whose heat may damage the seed inadequate drying can cause dampness and moldiness. high cloud overcast and high relative humidity. It is advisable in this case to spread the seed in the kitchen or in a well ventilated room to reduce the seed moisture content. The seed can then be kept well above forest zones. Good drying facilitates seed longevity and protects seed against diseases and insects.
  • 29. 21 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Module IV: Producing acceptable quality seed Dry harvested seed well Good density from good seed Drying oor Turn the seed over several times Quality seed Afr caR ce CGIAR
  • 30. 22 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Module IV: Producing acceptable quality seed Seed threshing Threshing is a delicate operation. It involves the application of external force on rice panicles to dislodge the grains. When this is badly done the seed can be damaged. The risk of seed admixture is high during threshing. This is the reason for recommending the following steps: impurities. Seed winnowing Just like drying and threshing, winnowing is an important operation for ensuring good quality of seed with regard to purity. It involves removing impurities such as straw, plant debris, weed seeds, insects, stones and immature grains from your variety. To ensure good winnowing, the farmer must: tarpaulin or cloth NB: If winnowing is done with a machine, the farmer must check to ensure that the thresher-cleaner is cleaned well after each operation to avoid mixing varieties.
  • 31. 23 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Module IV: Producing acceptable quality seed Thresh the varieties separately Threshing Beautiful eld from a good seed Winnowing Quality seed Afr caR ce CGIAR
  • 32. 24 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Module IV: Producing acceptable quality seed Seed storage Conservation is a long and critical phase in seed management. Depending on the methods used, the seed can remain healthy and viable over a long than traditional varieties because of their low dormancy. The usual storage methods used by farmers are well adapted to their resources. However, practical precautionary measures are necessary to ensure good seed quality. Storage in a granary 2) Clean the granary well 3) Check whether the seed is well dried before storing it in the granary 4) Avoid the mixing of varieties 5) Open the granary from time to time to ensure good ventilation. NB: If necessary, use insecticides to control storage pests. Natural insecticides can be prepared for that purpose from local and natural sources. Storage in the kitchen 1) Check whether the seed is well dried before storing it 3) Spread out the bundles per variety. 4) Maintain low heat under the seed, as high temperatures can damage the seed. If the seed becomes infested by insects, burn green wood or pepper leaves to ward off the insects.
  • 33. 25 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Module IV: Producing acceptable quality seed Conserve your seed well Use natural insecticides Good seed from good storage Afr caR ce CGIAR
  • 34. 26 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Module IV: Producing acceptable quality seed Storing in sacks 1) Check whether the seed is well dried before storing it 2) Check whether the bags are well cleaned 3) Treat the seed with a natural or synthetic insecticide 4) Store the seed in sacks 5) Lay the sacks on pieces of wood or palettes to ensure good ventilation and avoid dampness. the granary. This is particularly not recommended when many varieties are kept in the same place.
  • 35. Module V Control of eld and storage pests Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
  • 36. 28 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Neem tree
  • 37. 29 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality There are many natural and synthetic insecticide products but the control methods proposed in this guide mainly involve the use of natural products. pepper, mint, smoke, clay, ash, quicklime, etc. Storage in drums and bottles is commonly used. Diseases can be controlled using resistant varieties and adequate drying. The pests involved The most common insect pests of rice are the African rice gall midge, rice stem borer, striped stem borer, pink stem borer, army worm, rice beetle, Making neem mash for the eld 1) Pick ripe neem fruits 2) Clean the fruits with water. Rub them well to remove their yellow coat 3) Dry the grains in the sun for about one to two days. 4) Crush the grains in a mortar to recover the pulp. 6) Pour the powder in a bucket containing 10 liters of water. Mix well and then leave for a whole night. 7) Filter the mash with a cloth material to avoid clogging the sprayer. However, if the mash is to be applied with a broom, you do not need to 8) Spray the plants with the mash. NB: Neem products do not kill the insects, but prevent them from damaging the plants. The treatment is conducted once a week.
  • 38. 30 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Main eld pests Termites (workers and soldiers) Stalk-eyed y Grasshopper Sucking bugs Mole cricket Rice case worm (lowlands) Afr caR ce CGIAR
  • 39. 31 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Main eld pests Striped stem borer Pink stem borer Army worm African rice gall midge (lowlands) White stem borer Rice beetle Afr caR ce CGIAR
  • 40. 32 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Neem mash preparation and use 1. Pick ripe grains 2. Store the grains 3. Rinse the grains well 5. Dry the grains in the sun 4. Spread the grains on the oor Afr caR ce CGIAR
  • 41. 33 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Neem mash preparation and use 6. Crush the grains in a mortar and then sort out the pulps 7. Prepare neem powder and add soap 8. Mix the mash well and leave it to rest the whole night 9. Apply with a broom. If applying with a sprayer, lter the mash Afr caR ce CGIAR
  • 42. 34 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Making neem oil for seed storage 1) Pick ripe neem fruits. 2) Clean the fruits with water. Rub them well to remove their yellow coat 3) Dry the grains well in the sun for about one week. 4) Crush the grains in a mortar to recover the kernel. 5) Pound about 30 handfuls of kernel and then recover the powder. 6) Press the powder in a bucket to obtain the oil. 7) Treat the seed to be stored with the oil. On the average, one kilogram of powder can produce enough oil to treat two bags (50 kg) of seed. NB: Treatment is conducted once every two months. Dry neem leaves mixed with the seed in bags can also be used. Pepper use 1) Pick fresh ripe pepper. 2) Leave the pepper to dry in the sun for about one week. 3) Pound the pepper in a mortar. Collect the powder. 4) Mix the powder with soap water. 5) Leave the mixture to rest for a whole night. 6) Shake the mixture in the morning of the following day and then treat the seed with it. On the average, three to four spoonfuls of pepper mixed with one liter of soap water is enough to treat one bag (50 kg) of seed. NB: Treatment is conducted once every two months.
  • 43. 35 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Main storage insect pests Grain moth Red beetle Weevil Afr caR ce CGIAR
  • 44. 36 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
  • 45. Module VI Seed quality control Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality
  • 46. 38 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Module VI: Seed quality control Conducting a germination test Before seeding, it is critical to check whether the seed can germinate well or not. You should therefore conduct a germination test. 1) Obtain a plate to conduct the experiment. 2) Lay on the plate a wet cloth material. 3) Collect 100 seeds and lay them on the cloth material. 4) Cover the seed by joining up the four corners of the cloth material. 5) Keep the plate in a safe and shaded area. 6) Add water each time it becomes necessary. By the end of one week, open the cloth material and count the number of seeds that have germinated. NB: For the reliability of the results, replicate the test three times. If more than 80 seeds germinate, the seed is good and can be seeded at the recommended planting rate. If less than 80 seeds germinate, the quantity of seed to be used per correct the planting rate per hectare or if necessary recommend seed renewal.
  • 47. 39 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Module VI: Seed quality control Conduct a germination test 1. Plate 2. Lay a wet cloth material on the plate 3. Put 100 grains on the cloth material 6. If less than 80 grains have germinated, increase seed quantity 6. If more than 80 grains have germinated, the seed is good 4. Cover the plate 5. Check germination rate at the end of one week To check seed germination qualityAfr caR ce CGIAR
  • 48. 40 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Module VI: Seed quality control Conducting a varietal purity test 1. Set up one kilogram of randomly collected seed sample. 2. Sort out the sample by separating it into two groups: The pure seed group. This seed must fully look like the standard checks given to the seed producers’ organizations; The other group (inert matter, broken seeds less than half original size, stones, dead insects, broken sticks, etc.) 3. Ascertain the weight of each group. 4. If the weight of the pure seed is nine times higher than the weight of the other matters, the seed is considered as good. If this is not the case, the farmer must consider removing the other materials or renewing his/her seed. The purity test must be replicated three times with different samples for the reliability of the results. Standards of 50 g each are given to seed producers’ organizations. They are used as standard checks in case of any doubt about the variety.
  • 49. 41 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Module VI: Seed quality control Varietal purity test Randomly select one kilogram of seed sample Separate seed and impurities. Weigh each group and then ascertain the purity rate of your variety Afr caR ce CGIAR
  • 50. 42 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Module VI: Seed quality control Seed from good monitoring
  • 51. 43 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality 43 Rice Farmer’s Guide: Improving seed quality Conclusions The main information in the practical guide is basically derived from farmers’expertise and practices. It has been slightly improved by a number of farmers, who have become seed producers. seed is subjected to biological deterioration risks (low germination rate, disease attacks) or physical risks (seed mixture during harvest, drying, threshing, winnowing and conservation operations). Farmers’organizations, cooperatives and unions can be of great support in selling your seed in the neighboring village communities or on the national markets.
  • 52.
  • 53. About the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) is a global partnership that unites organizations engaged in research for sustainable development with the funders of this work. The funders include developing and industrialized country governments, foundations, and international and regional organizations. The work they support is carried out by 15 members of the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers, in close collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations, including national and regional research institutes, civil society organizations, academia, and the private sector. CGIAR Centers AfricaRice Africa Rice Center (Cotonou, Benin) Bioversity International Bioversity International (Rome, Italy) CIAT Centro Internaçional de Agricultura Tropical (Cali, Colombia) CIFOR Center for International Forestry Research (Bogor, Indonesia) CIMMYT Centro Internaçional de Mejoramiento de Maiz y Trigo (Mexico, DF, Mexico) CIP Centro Internaçional de la Papa (Lima, Peru) ICARDA International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (Aleppo, Syria) ICRISAT International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (Patancheru, India) IFPRI International Food Policy Research Institute (Washington, DC, USA) IITA International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (Ibadan, Nigeria) ILRI International Livestock Research Institute (Nairobi, Kenya) IRRI International Rice Research Institute (Los Baños, Philippines) IWMI International Water Management Institute (Colombo, Sri Lanka) World Agroforestry World Agroforestry Centre (Nairobi, Kenya) WorldFish WorldFish Center (Penang, Malaysia)
  • 54. Afr caR ce Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) 01 B.P. 2031, Cotonou, Benin www.AfricaRice.org