Determining seed quality

 

    

Seed certification

  

Describe the purpose of seed certification.

  

 

    

 

Why seed certification?

 

The purpose of seed certification is to have high quality and genetically pure seeds of superior varieties available to farmers.

 

Only the varieties of very good genetic makeup, multiplied to maintain purity and identity, can have a  certificate from the government.  

 

 

 

 

What is  "certified" seed?

 

Certified seed is high in genetic purity, high in germination and vigor, and of good quality. (This means free from disease and from damaged or immature seeds.)

 

Before the government certifies seed of a certain variety they look at:

  • the varietal purity of the seed

  • the absence of weeds and diseases,

  • viability of the seed,

  • mechanical purity of the seed,

  • ...   

 

One of the most effective ways to limit the distribution of weeds is to plant weed-free seed.  Planting disease-free seed can reduce losses in the same way.  Properly, cleaned and graded seed is easier to plant and gives more uniform stand.  

 

 Poor seed purity or mixed varieties

 

 

 

 

So, the goal of seed certification is

  1. to keep genetic purity of superior varieties, and

  2. to have good standards of seed condition and quality.

 

A "progeny" means the offspring or the next generation

 

 

 

Official Standards for Seed Certification

 

Different countries set different standards for  certifying the different classes of rice seeds.

 

To see 2 examples (Philippines and Myanmar) of official standards, click here.  

 

 

Field inspection

 

In most countries when a crop is intended for certification it must be inspected prior to harvest.

 

A representative of the certifying agency inspects the crop at least once during the vegetative stage and normally once at pre-harvest stage.

 

If the crop does not look good enough because of:

  • weeds,

  • poor growth,

  • poor stand, disease,

  • insect damage or

  • any other condition, which prevents accurate inspection or creates doubt as to the identity of the variety.

certification may be refused.

 

Field inspection

 

Each country has field standards for the allowable number of off types, unacceptable weed types and numbers of diseased plants.

 

To see an example (Myanmar) of a field standard, click here.

 

 

  

 

 

 

Next lesson

Now you have a good understanding of classes of seeds.

 

In the next lesson, you will learn how to manage the field to get a good seed production.