Description

ABOUT THE BOOK

The history of agricultural progress from the early days of man has been the history of seeds of new crops and crop varieties brought under cultivation. In the early days it was achieved through the cultivation of indigenous but useful plants and those taken through introductions. Later through the well known techniques of selection, hybridization, mutation, polyploidization and plant biotechnology the scientists made available many new and better varieties. However, to the farmer all this scientific research would be of little value unless  one  gets seeds, which are genetically pure, high germination percentage and vigour, high purity, sound health etc., when the farmers do not get seeds possessing these qualities the yields they obtain may not be as expected. The pace of progress in seed production therefore, will largely depend upon the speed with which we are able to multiply and market good quality seeds of high yielding varieties.

Looking to the importance of seed the 5^th dean’s Committee of ICAR has introduces a course on Principles of Seed Technology at UG level in all SAUs and Agricultural Colleges of India. Present book is an effort to provide all the information relevant to this course in a single book in simple language to be easily accessible for UG students. This book includes chapters on importance & scope of seed technology, genetic purity of seeds, seed quality, classes of seed, seed production technology for important crops, seed act, seed control order, detection of genetically modified crops, seed testing, processing, packaging, treatment, storage marketing besides the role of WTO.

CONTENT

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Dr. Om Vir Singh (b. 1966) did M.Sc. (Ag.) Plant Breeding from GBPUA&T, Pantnagar and Ph.D. (Plant Breeding) from HPKVV, Palampur (H.P.) University. He is serving as Principal Scientist (Plant Breeding) and officer In-Charge at National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, Regional Station, Jodhpur. He is actively involved in research and has developed a number of varieties of cultivated crop species. He has published more than 100 research papers and popular articles and three books. He is chief editor of two NAAS rated Journals. He has visited a number of countries including Philippines, China and Canada on various academic missions. Dr. Singh has been honoured with six prestigious awards for his outstanding contribution in the field of agriculture.

Prof. S.R. Maloo is a person of high intellectual and administrative qualities. He has served as Dean, Rajasthan Collage of Agriculture and Director of Research, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture & Technology, Udaipur. Presently he is serving as Dean and Chairman Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Pacific University, Udaipur. He is recipient of several academic excellence awards for his outstanding contribution. He has guided 12 Ph.D./24 M.Sc. students besides publishing more than 225 research papers and book chapters plus 10 scholarly books. He is members, co-chairman and chairman of many important committees at National level. Dr. Maloo developed many new high yielding crop varieties and served as Prof & Head, PBG and Associate Director Seeds & Farms. His contribution in the field of quality seed development, production and propagation is well recognized   in the country. He has also served as Vice President of ISGPGR, New Delhi.

Dr. S. Sivakumar is a Professor in Plant Breeding Genetics, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. He was awarded JIRCAS (Japan) fellowship for Post Doctoral Research work in Japan on plant gene cloning during 2007. Besides being a good teacher both for Undergraduate and post graduate courses he has developed and released seven crop varieties in cereals, legumes, forage sorghum and cotton. He is equally involved in seed production activities. He has published many research articles in peer reviewed journals both at national and international levels on Plant Breeding and Biotechnology.

L.L. Somani is Retired Director Resident Instructions, MPUAT, Udaipur. He has over 400 research and technical articles to his credit. He has authored/edited over 150 scholarly books in various field of agriculture. Prof. Somani has been honored with academic excellence awards for his outstanding achievements.