A Handbook of Seed Testing
ABOUT THE BOOK: Seed is the unique biological input in
agriculture, which imbibes in it the productivity potential of the crop. This
potential in terms of both quantity and quality is realisable by the timely use
of other inputs. It is therefore important to plan and produce adequate
quantities of good quality seed to realise enhanced agricultural production and
higher income to farmers. The use of high quality seed will enable to reduce the
gap between potential and actual yield of all crops.
Seed industry in India has made great strides especially during last twenty
years. The Government of India through its policy initiatives has encouraged
development of this industry. A lot of attention has been paid to
organizational, legislative and financing aspects, resulting in enhanced seed
multiplication. Today, after the introduction of genetically modified crops, the
Seed Industry has acquired a paradigm shift.
This situation warrants proper functioning of effective quality control system
to assure the quality of the seeds through standard seed analysis system. In
this view knowledge on recent approaches in seed testing is highly essential for
a seed men, seed testing and seed law enforcement officials and seed scientists.
Keeping this in mind, the book, "A hand book of seed testing' designed clearly,
explains the scientific methods of analysing different seed quality traits. The
book details procedures of routine seed testing methods and recent approaches in
seed testing.
AUTHOR: Dr. J. Renugadevi, Dr. P. Srimathi, Dr. R. R. Renganayaki & Dr. V. Manonmani | ISBN: 9788177543926 | YEAR: 2011 | PAGES: 197 | SIZE: 14 x 22 x 5 cm. | BINDING: Hard Back | LANGUAGE: English
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
1. Dr. J. Renugadevi. The author is an Associate Professor in the Department
of Seed Science& Technology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. Coimbatore. She
is involved in teaching Seed Science & Technology courses for both undergraduate
and postgraduate students for the past five years and also involved in seed
technological research. She has published 20 research papers, 25 popular
articles in reputed journals. She has presented many paper s in National and
International conference and also attended National and International trainings.
2. Dr. P. Srimathi. Professor of Seed Science & Technology, Tamil Nadu
Agricultural University, Coimbatore. She has 22 years of experience in the field
of research teaching and extension. Her area of specialisation includes forest
seed technology, quality seed production and storage. She has published 70
research papers in International and National journals and 50 popular articles
both in English and Tamil. She has also presented papers in National and
International conferences and seminars. She hasguidedtenPh.D.and12M. Sc.
Students.
3. Dr. P. R. Renganayaki. The author is an Associate Professor in the
Department of Seed Science& Technology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University,
Coimbatore. She is handling courses for undergraduate and postgraduate students
for the past seven years and also involved in seed technological research. She
has published one book, 9 international articles and 10 research papers in
national journals. She has presented many paper s in National and International
conferences and trainings.
4. Dr. V. Manonmani, Ph D, Associate Professor of Seed Science and
Technology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore has 15 years of
experience in education, research and extension works related to seed science
and its technical application. She has handled 5 schemes as CO PI. She has also
guided 3 M.Sc (Ag) students for their dissertation work. She has contributed
nearly 5 book chapters, published 15 research papers in reputed National and
International Journals and 30 popular articles both in Tamil and English. She
obtained one Best researcher award and one popular article award from Madras
Agricultural Students Union, TNAU, Coimbatore. She has also presented papers in
national symposiums. She also specialized in tree seed technology and seed
invigouration techniques.
CONTENTS:
1. Introduction
2. History of Seed Testing
2.1. Central Seed Testing Laboratory
2.2. International Organizations involved in Seed Testing,
2.2.1. International Seed Testing
Association (ISTA)
2.2.2. Association of Official Seed
Analysts (AOSA)
2.2.3. The Society of Commercial Seed
Technologists (SCST)
3. Principles and Procedures of Seed Testing
3.1. Routing of the Seed Sample in Seed Testing
3.2. Laboratory
3.2.1. Sequence of Seed Quality
Testing in STL
4. Sampling
4.1. Objectives of Sampling
4.2. Classification of Samples
4.3. Types of Samples Registered in STL
4.4. Sampling Procedures
4.4.1. Stick or Sleeve Type Trier
(Bag Trier)
4.4.2. Bin Sampler
4.4.3. Nobbe Trier
4.4.4. Sampling by Hand
4.5. Sampling Intensity
4.6. Methods of Obtaining Primary Samples
4.7. Method of Preparing Composite Samples / Submitted
Samples
4.8. Despatch of Submitted Sample
4.9. Precautions in Sampling
4.10. Sample Identification
4.11. Receiving Samples and Precaution to be taken
4.11.1. Entering Samples
4.11.2. Registration
4.11.3. Registration Method
4.11.4. The Details in the Register
4.12. Storage of Sample
4.13. Sampling in Laboratory
4.14. Mixing and Dividing Samples
4.14.1. Mechanical Mixing and
Dividing
4.14.2. Objective of Mechanical
Dividing
4.14.3. Apparatus used in Mixing and
Dividing
4.14.3.1.
Conical or Boener Divider
4.14.3.2.
Soil Divider (Riffle Divider)
4.14.3.3.
Centrifugal or Garnet Divider
4.14.3.4.
Random Cup Method
4.14.3.5.
Spoon and Spatula Method
4.14.3.6.
Modified Halving Method
4.14.3.7.
Manual Method - Hand Halving
5. Purity Analysis
5.1. Importance of Physical Purity Analysis
5.2. Objective of Purity Test
5.3. Components of Pure Seed
5.4. Instruments used in Seed Purity Analysis
5.4.1. Seed Blower
5.4.2. Purity Workboard Diapanascope
5.5. Purity Analysis Procedure
5.5.1. Method of Purity Test
5.5.1.1.
Purity Separation
5.5.1.2.
Methodology
5.5.1.3.
Check or Duplicate Tests
5.5.1.4.
Determination of other Seed by Number / Kilogram
5.5.1.5.
Determination of Seeds of other Distinguishable Varieties
5.6. Sources of Error in Purity Analysis
5.6.1. Moisture
5.6.2. Computing Error
6. Seed Weight Determination
7. Moisture Test
7.1. Seed Moisture Analysis Method
7.1.1. Direct Method
7.1.1.1.
Grinding Requirements
7.1.1.2.
Pre-drying Requirements
7.1.1.3.
Tolerance
7.1.2. Indirect Method
7.1.2.1.
Universal Moisture Meter
8. Germination Test
8.1. Percentage of Germination
8.2. Requirements for Germination
8.2.1. Substrata (or) Media
8.2.1.1.
Germination Paper
8.3. Water
8.4. Temperature
8.5. Light
8.6. Procedures for Conducting Germination Test
8.6.1. Paper Method (Top or between
Paper) .
8.6.2. Roll Towel Method
8.6.3. Inclined Plate Method
8.6.4. Sand Method
8.6.5. Soil
8.7. Germination Equipments and Apparatus
8.7.1. Counting Boards
8.7.2. Pneumatic Ozr Vacuum Seed
Counter
8.7.3. Automatic Seed Counter
8.7.4. Impression Board
8.7.5. Germination Cabinet
8.7.6. Room Germinator or Walk-in
Germinator
8.8. Maintenance of Germination Room or Cabinet
8.9. Special Treatments for Germination
8.10. Seedling Evaluation and Reporting Result
8.10.1. Classification of Seedlings
8.10.1.1.
Normal Seedlings
8.10.1.2.
Abnormal Seedlings
8.10.2. Reporting Results
8.10.3. Tolerance
8.10.4. Pure Live Seeds (PLS)
9. Viability Test
9.1. Tetrazolium Test / Quick Viability Test
9.1.1. Principle
9.1.2. Methodology
9.1.2.1.
Conditioning and Preparing
9.1.2.2.
Exposure of Tissues for Staining..
9.1.2.3.
Preparation of Solution
9.1.2.4.
Removal of Pigments and Mucus Hardening
9.1.2.5.
Staining of Seeds
9.1.3. Evaluation and Interpretation
9.1.4. Merits
9.1.5. Demerits
9.2. Vital colouring Methods
9.3. Enzyme Activity Methods
9.4. Conductivity Test
9.5. Excised Embryo Test
9.6. X-ray Test
9.6.1. Principle
9.6.2. Procedure
9.6.3. Evaluation
10. Vigour Test
10.1. Principle
10.2. Characteristics of a Seed Vigour Test
10.3. Types of Seed Vigour Tests
10.3.1. Physical Test
10.3.1.1.
Seed Size / Weight / Colour
10.3.1.2.
Radiographic Analysis of Seeds ..
10.3.2. Physiological Test
10.3.2.1.
Germination Test
10.3.2.2.
Field Emergence
10.3.2.3.
Seedling Growth and Evaluation Tests
10.3.3. Bio Chemical Tests
10.3.3.1.
Tetrazolium Test
10.3.3.2.
Electrical Conductance of Seed
10.3.3.3.
Enzyme Test
10.3.3.4.
Respiration Test
10.3.4. Stress Test
10.3.4.1.
Accelerated Ageing Test
10.3.4.2.
Temperature Stress Test
10.3.4.3.
Osmotic Stress Test
10.3.4.4.
Exhaustion Test
10.3.4.5.
Brick Gravel Test
10.3.4.6.
Paper Piercing Test
10.3.4.7.
Mobilization Efficiency (ME)
10.4. Control Samples in Vigour Testing
10.4.1. Use of Control Samples
10.4.2. Control Seed Lot Selection
10.4.3. Control Sample Storage and
Maintenance
10.4.4. Seed Moisture of Control
Samples
10.5. Interpretation of Seed Vigour Test Results
11. Seed Dormancy
11.1. Dormancy Breaking Treatments
11.1.1. Scarification
11.1.2. Manual / Physical
Scarification
11.1.3. Soaking in Cold or Hot Water
11.1.4. Mechanical Scarification
11.1.5. Acid Scarification
11.1.6. Bioscarification
11.1.7. Temperature Treatments
11.1.8. Scorching
11.1.9. Warm Stratification
11.1.10. Cold Stratification
11.1.11. Electrical /Magnetic /
Radio-frequency Treatment
11.2. Advantages of Dormancy
11.3. Disadvantages
12. Seed Health Test
12.1. Methods for Detection of Fungal Infection in Seeds
12.1.1. Conventional Techniques for
Detection
12.1.1.1.
Direct Examination
12.2. Detection of Seed Borne Plant Pathogenic Bacteria
12.2.1. Detection Methods
12.2.1.1.
Examination of Dry Seeds
12.2.1.2.
'Growing on' Test
12.2.1.3.
Isolation in Agar Medium
12.2.1.4.
Indicator Plant
12.2.1.5.
Dome Method
12.2.1.6.
Bacteriophage Method-
12.2.1.7.
Serological Technique
12.3. Detection of Seed Borne Virus
12.3.1. Detection Techniques
12.3.1.1. Dry
Examination
12.3.1.2.
Biological Test
13. Cultivar Purity Test
13.1. Weight of Submitted Sample
13.2. Examination of Seed
13.2.1. Examination of Seeds using
Image Analysis System
13.2.1.1.
Data Measurement
13.3. Colour Reaction or Response of Seeds to Chemical Test
13.3.1. Phenol Test
13.3.2. Modified Phenol Test
13.3.3. Peroxidase Test
13.3.4. Potassium Hydroxide Test
13.3.5. Examination of Seedlings
13.4. Field Plot or Grow-out Test
13.5. Bio chemical Method
13.5.1. Merits
13.5.2. Demerits
13.5.3. Methodology
13.6. Molecular Methods
13.6.1. DNA Profiling
13.6.2. Restriction Fragment Length
Polymorphism (RFLP)
13.6.2.1.
Merits
13.6.2.2.
Demerits
13.6.3. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
13.6.4. Random Amplified Polymorphic
DNA (RAPD)
13.6.4.1.
Merits
13.6.4.2.
Demerits
13.7. Microsatellites
13.7.1. Methodology and Visualization
13.7.1.1.
Merits
13.7.1.2.
Demerits
13.8. Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP)
13.8.1. Merits
14. Testing of Pelleted / Coated Seed
14.1. Definitions
14.2. Sampling
14.2.1. Size of the Lot
14.2.2. Sampling Intensity
14.2.3. Size of Submitted Sample
14.2.4. Drawing and Disposal of
Submitted Sample
14.2.5. Size of Working Sample
14.2.6. Obtaining the Working Sample
14.3. Purity Analysis
14.3.1. Definitions
14.3.2. Procedure
14.3.3. Verification of Species
14.3.4. Purity Test for Depelleted /
Decoated Seeds .
14.3.5. Calculation and Expression of
Results
14.3.6. Determination of Number of
other Seeds
14.4. Germination Test
14.4.1. Materials
14.4.2. Procedure
14.4.3. Duration of Test
14.4.4. Seedling Evaluation
14.4.5. Multiple Seed Structure
14.4.6. Calculation and Reporting
Results
14.5. Weight Determination and Size Grading of Pelleted Seeds
14.6. Certificates
14.6.1. Reporting Results
15. Testing of Tree and Shrub Seeds
15.1. Seed Sampling
15.2. Purity Analysis
15.3. Germination Test
16. Tolerances in Seed Testing
16.1. Basic Principles
16.2. Application of Tolerances
16.3. Uses of Tolerances
17. Modelling of a Seed Testing Laboratory
17.1. Building
17.2. Furnishing of the Building
17.2.1. Equipment
17.2.2. Moisture Unit
17.2.3. Purity Section
17.2.4. Germination Section
18. References
