Classes of Seed

SEED is the basic input for sustained agricultural production.

There are five classes of improved seed, viz ;

1) Nucleus seed

2) Breeder seed

3) Foundation Seed 

4) Registered seed

5) Certified

Brief description of these classes of Seed is presented below:

Nucleus seed:

     Nucleus seed is the initial seed of an improved variety which is always limited in quantity.It is produced by the originating plant breeder 

• Produced at the experimental farms of the concerned research institute of Agriculture University, under the supervision of original plant breeder or sponsored plant breeder

* It is genetically and physically cent percent pure.

* For nucleus seed certification is not required

* Used for the production of breeder seed

*It is not meant for general distribution

* Nucleus seeds posses high percentage of genetic purity ( 100%)

2) Breeder Seed : 

• Breeder Seed is the progeny of nucleus seed or breeder seed.

• Produced under the strict supervision of original or sponsoring pkant breeder at research farm of the concerned crop Research Institute or Agricultural University.

• Breeder seed is genetically and physically cent percent pure

• Certification is not required for breeder seed 

• Breeder seed is used for the production of foundation seed 

• Genetic purity of the breeder seeds is 100% 

• Tag provided for the breeder seed is golden yellow in colour .

3. Foundation Seed:

• Progeny of breeder seed

• Produced by 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 and also on cultivators fields.

• Physical purity of 98% remaining 2 % includes inert matter.

• Genetic purity of the foundation seeds are 99.5% and it's certification tag is white in colour

4. Certified Seed:

•  Certified Seed is the progeny of either foundation or registered or certified Seed

•Produced on the fields of progressive farmers under the strict supervision of State seed Certification Agency 

• It has genetic purity of 100 % and physical purity of 98%.

• Class of seed requires certification which is undertaken by the State Certification Agency .

• Certified Seed is available for general distribution to the farmers for commercial crop production.

• Genetic purity of the certified seeds is 99% 

• Certification tag provided is blue in colour

5) Registered seed:

•Registered seed is the progeny of either foundation seed or registered seed.

 • Produced at the farms of progressive cultivators according to technical advice and supervision of National Seeds Corporation

• It has 100% genetic purity.

• It is also not meant for general distribution.

•Class of seed requires certification which is undertaken by the State Certification Agency . 

✍️Miss. Vaishnavi Nimkar

(Gunji, Dhamangaon Railway)

 Mob.No- 7666441799