1. There are 4 main classes of seeds - nucleus, breeder's, foundation, and certified. Nucleus seed is the initial seed from which all other classes are produced. Breeder's seed is produced from nucleus seed and is used to produce foundation seed. Foundation seed is produced under certification and is used to make certified seed, which is available for distribution to farmers. Truthful seed is produced following the same standards as certified seed but is not certified.

1. SEED CLASSES

2. 1. Nucleus seed:
Nucleus seed is the initial seed of a released and
notified variety which is always limited in quantity.
Initial handful of seeds obtained from selected
individual plants of a particular variety.
Basic seed or primordial seed.
Available with evolving institute.

3. Main features
(i)Production:
Experimental farms of the concerned research institute
or agriculture university, under the supervision of
original plant breeder or sponsored plant breeder.
(ii) Purity: Genetically and physically cent per cent
pure.
(iii) Certification: not required.
(iv) Use:
Nucleus seed is used for the production of breeder
seed. Not meant for general distribution.

4. 2. Breeder’s seed:
This is the progeny of the nucleus seed multiplied in
large area under the supervision of plant breeder and
monitored by a committee.
Provides cent per cent physical and genetic pure seed
for production of foundation class.
Golden yellow coloured certificate is issued for this
category by the producing agency.

6. (i) Production:
In isolation from other varieties. Isolation distance
differs from species to species.
(ii) Purity:
Genetically and physically cent per cent pure.
(iii) Certification:
Certification is not required for breeder seed. Seed
plot is inspected by a monitoring team which consists
of original or sponsored plant breeder and one repre-
sentative each from National Seeds Corporation and
State Seed Certification Agency.
(iv) Use:
Breeder seed is used for the production of foundation
seed. It is not meant for general distribution.

7. Breeder seed produced should meet all prescribed
standards viz.
genetic purity (99.9% or more),
physical purity (98% or more).
Germination (as per crop)
moisture content (less than 12%).
After passing the seed lot, breeder seed tags in buff
colour or Golden Yellow are signed by the concerned
breeder and tagged to the breeder seed bags.
Size of tag is 12 x 6 cm.

8. 3. Foundation seed:
Progeny of breeder’s seed in handled by recognized
seed producing agencies in public and private sector
under the supervision of Seed Certification Agency in
such a way that its quality is maintained according to
the prescribed standard.
Seed Certification agency issues a white colour
certification for foundation class seed.
Foundation seed is purchased by Seed Corporation
from seed growers.
Foundation seed can again be multiplied by Seed
Corporation in the events of its shortage with similar
seed certification standard.

9. (i) Production:
National Seeds Corporation under the strict
supervision of research scientists and experts from
NSC. Production of foundation seed is taken up at the
seed multiplication farms of government, research
farms of ICAR Institutes and Agriculture Universities
and also on cultivators’ fields. Proper isolation
distance is adopted for the production of foundation
seed which varies from crop to crop.
(ii) Purity: Genetically cent per cent pure. Physical
purity of 98% is permissible. 2% includes inert matter.
(iii) Certification: Required which is undertaken by,
State Seed Certification Agency.
(iv) Use: Foundation seed is used for the production of
certified seed. It is not meant for general distribution.

10. After processing and testing of seed completed bags
are tagged with white coloured tag and label together
and sealed the bag by using lead seal size of
foundation tag is 15 x 7.5 cm.

12. 4. Certified seed:
Progeny of foundation seed produced by registered
seed growers under the supervision of Seed
Certification Agency by maintaining the seed quality
as per minimum seed certification standards.
Seed Certification Agency issues a blue colour (Shade
ISI No. 104, azure blue) certificate.

13. (i) Production:
It is produced on the fields of progressive farmers
under the strict supervision of State Seed Certification
Agency. This work is also taken up by the NSC, if
required. Proper isolation distance is adopted which
varies from species to species.
(ii) Purity: Genetic purity of 100% and physical purity
of 98%.
(iii) Certification: Requires certification which is
undertaken by the State Certification Agency. For
certification, the seed must meet rigid requirements of
purity and germination.
(iv) Use:
Certified seed is available for general distribution to
the farmers for commercial crop production.

14. Plots of certified seed are offered for certification with
seed certification agency which inspects the plots
during crop growth and at harvesting.
After processing seed samples are drawn by seed
certification officer and sent to STL seed for seed
testing.
When seed lot meets certification standards prescribed
for the crop then it is processed, bagged, tagged with
blue colour tag and sealed by using lead seal.
Size of tag 15 x 7.5 cm.

16. Truthful seed :
It is the category of seed produced by cultivators,
private seed companies and is sold under truthful
labels.
But field standard and seed standard should
maintained as per seed act and certified seed stage.
Under the seed act, the seed producer and seed seller
are responsible for the seed.
Source of seed to be used for production of different
stages of seed, label colour - opel green and size 15x10
cm.

18. Stage of seed multiplication Source of seed
1. Nucleus, IPS Nucleus
2. Breeder - Stage I Nucleus
3. Breeder - Stage II Breeder
4. Foundation Stage I Breeder I or II
5. Foundation Stage II Foundation Stage I
6. Certified Stage I Foundation I or II
7. Certified Stage II Certified Stage I
8. Truthful Seed Breeder to certified
stage II