ASRB-NET SYLLABUS FOR

SEED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Unit 1 : Seed Biology

Floral biology, mode of reproduction, sporogenesis, pollination, fertilization, embryogenesis, fruit and seed development. Apomixis, parthenocarpy, polyembryony and somatic embryoids and synthetic seeds. Seed structure of monocot and dicot- Seed maturation and longevity in orthodox and recalcitrant seed. Chemical composition of seed. Seed dormancy - types, causes and mechanisms of induction and release, factors affecting, methods to overcome dormancy and its significance in agriculture. Secd germination - requirements, imbibition pattern, physiological and biochemical changes, and role of hormones.

Unit 2 : Seed Production

Introduction to crop breeding methods. Variety testing, release and notification. Genetic purity concept and factors responsible for deterioration of varieties. Maintenance breeding. General system of seed multiplication. Seed production agencies. Identification of seed production areas and factors affecting it. Compact area approach in seed production. Seed production planning, equipment, input and manpower requirement, Factors affecting pollination and seed set viz., temperature, humidity, wind velocity, insect pollinators, and supplementary pollination. Male sterility, self-incompatibility and their role in hybrid seed production. Principles and methods of seed production of varieties and hybrids of cereals like Wheat, Paddy, Sorghum, Pearl Millet and Maize; pulses like Chickpea, Pigeon Pea, Green Gram, Black Gram, Soybean and Cowpea; oilseeds like Groundnut, Brassica, Sesame, Sunflower and Castor; fibre crops like Cotton and Jute; vegetables crops like Tomato, Brinjal, Okra, Chilli, Important Cole and Cucurbitaceous crops; important forage legumes and grasses and seed crop management, time of harvesting and threshing/extraction methods. Seed production technology of plantation crops like Coffee, Tea, Rubber, Cocoa, Cardamom and Pepper. Disease free clonal propagation of crops like Potato, Sugarcane, Sweet Potato, Tapioca, Colocasia, Betel Vine, fruit crops like Mango, Citrus, Banana, Guava, Sapota, Pineapple, Grape, Apple, Pear, Plumy Peach, Apricot and seed production and clonal propagation of annual and perennial flowers like rose, gladiolus, chrysanthemum, marigold, dahlia, phlox and petunia. Clonal standards and degenerations. Micro propagation.

Unit 3 : Seed Processing

Principles of seed processing. Seed drying principles and methods. Precleaning, grading, treatment, pelleting and packaging. Seed invigoration and enhancement treatment and their applications. Seed processing machines like cleaner cum grader, specific gravity separator, indented cylinder, seed treater, weighing and bagging machines, their operation , and maintenance. Seed quality maintenance during processing.

Unit 4: Seed Quality Control

Seed legislation - Seeds Act 1966, Seed Rules 1969 and New Seed Bill 2004, Seed Law Enforcement. Seed certification - history, concept, organization, phases and minimum certification standards. Field inspection principles and methods. Inspection at harvesting, threshing and processing. Pre-and post quality testing or genetic purity. Seed Certification Schemes, concepts and procedures. Seed Testing concepts and objectives, its role in seed quality control. Seed sampling, seed moisture testing, purity analysis, germination testing, tolerance tests and equipment. Seed testing. procedures for principal agri horticultural crops. Quick viability tests. Seed vigour, its significance and testing methods. Testing for genuineness of varieties- principles and methods based on seed, seedling and plant characters, biochemical techniques namely electrophoresis of proteins and isoenzymes and DNA fingerprinting. International Seed Testing Association (ISTA), its role in development of seed testing procedures, rules and seed quality assurance for international seed trade.

Unit 5 : Seed Storage

Requirements and types of seed storage. Factors affecting seed storage and role of moisture, temperature, RH and moisture equilibrium. Viability nomographs. Seed deterioration causes and methods of control. Physiological, biochemical and molecular changes in seed ageing. Seed drying and Packaging needs. Storage structures. Methods of stacking and their impact. Short and medium term storage. Controlled storage. Germplasm storage. Cryopreservation. Design features of short, medium and long-term seed storage buildings. Operation and management of seed stores.

Unit 6 : Seed Health

Significance of seed health. Mode and mechanism of transmission of microorganisms fungi, bacteria and viruses. Procedures for seed health test and rules. Externally and internally seed - borne pathogens, mode of infection, development and spread, methods of detection of seed borne diseases. Important seed-borne diseases of cereals, oilseeds, pulses, fibre crops, vegetables and their control measures. Quarantine and International procedures of phytosanitary certificates. Important storage pests, their identification, monitoring and detection. ET value, nature and extent of damage, natural enemies and management. Use of pesticides, botanicals, mycotoxins for seed treatments. Carry over infestation, principles of fumigation and safe use of fumigants.

Unit 7: Seed Industry Development and Marketing

Trends in National and International seed industry development. International Seed Trade Federation (ISF) and Indian seed associations. Economics of seed production. Market survey, demand forecasting, pricing policies, marketing channels, planning and sales promotion. Buyer behaviour and role of Government, semi Government, co- operative and private sectors in seed trade. Responsibilities of seed companies and dealers in Seed Act. Seed import and export.

Unit 8 : Protection of Plant Varieties

Plant Variety Protection (PVP) and its significance. Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Right Act, 2001, its essential features. International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) and its role in development of Plant breeders Rights and Seed Industry Development. Impact of PVP on seed supply system. DUS testing principles and application. Biodiversity Act. Criteria for protection of Essentially Derived Varieties (EDVs) and Genetically modified (GM) varieties.