While selecting the seed variety, care should be taken to select the varieties preferred by the farmers in a particular area. Healthy and uniform sized seeds from a reliable source should be selected. Seeds should be selected based on the type of seed production (i.e.) breeder seeds are required for the production of foundation seeds; foundation seeds are required for the production of certified seeds. Selected seeds should be genetically pure with high germination percentage and vigour.

Soil condition in the selected field should be suitable for the crop. The field should be ploughed thoroughly without any lumps. Green manure crops can be raised in the field in order to enhance the nutrient content of the soil. Organic manures like farmyard manure, compost and vermicompost can be used to enhance the soil fertility. Field should be irrigated well within three days of sowing to avoid hardness of the soil.

Seed Selection Salt solution can be used to remove the chaffy seeds from good seeds. Take some water in a vessel and drop an egg in it. Keep adding salt to it slowly until the egg reaches the surface of the water. When the seeds are dropped in this water, the good quality seeds will sink into the water. Remove the unviable seeds that float on the surface of the water. Wash the selected seeds in good water for 2 - 3 times to remove the salt deposits. If this is not done, the germination capacity of the seeds will be affected. By this method, the unviable seeds can be removed completely. This method should be followed when there is more of chaff.

Seed testingthe selected seeds should be tested for its viability, i.e., seed germination. Seed production and multiplication is possible only when the germination capacity is high. If the germinationrate is high ultimately the seed multiplication can also be higher.

Seed germination capacity of a seed lot refers to the capacity of the seeds in that lot to germinate normally and produce all parts of a healthy seedling and grow. The necessary parts of the seedling include well developed primary roots, young pair of leaves and one or two cotyledons. % of germination = Number of normal seedlings Total number of seeds germinated x 100 A germination rate of 70-80% is an indication of high seed viability. Germination can also be affected by seed dormancy.

Seed Vigour Seeds with good vigour will produce good quality seedlings that will grow and give good yields. Seed vigour is the sum of all the seed attributes that favours rapid and uniform standard establishment in the field under varying field conditions. In general, seeds with good germination capacity and uniformity in size will have good vigour. It varies from species to species.

Seed Dormancy is the temporary suspension of growth of viable seeds accompanied by reduced internal metabolic activity. It is the resting stage of the seed, and it delays germination of the seed. Unfavourable climatic conditions like temperature, variation and lack of water leads to seed dormancy. Dormancy may occur due to the presence of a hard seed coat, immature embryo and also due to the presence of germination inhibitors in the seeds. It may also be due to the exposure of seeds to excess heat, light or darkness and due to the presence of chemical toxins in the seeds. Dormancy of the seeds can be broken by any of the following methods, i. Scarification – Removal of the hard seed coat by rubbing the seeds with sandpaper. Eg. Pulses ii. Hot water treatment – Soak the seeds in hot water at 45-50°C. Eg. Tree crops. iii. Leaching – Soak the seeds in water for overnight to remove the germination inhibiting chemicals present in the seeds. Eg. Coriander iv. Stratification – Subject the seeds to very low temperature of 0-5°C to break the embryo dormancy. Eg. Cole crops. v. Light treatment – Some seeds do not germinate in dark and periodic exposure to light is essential to break the dormancy. Eg. Lettuce.