This document provides information about seed certification. It defines what a seed is, explains the importance of seed quality and certification, and outlines the seed certification process. This includes eligibility requirements, field inspection procedures, seed sampling and testing standards, tagging certified seeds, and costs associated with certification. The goal of seed certification is to ensure high quality seeds of approved varieties are available to farmers.

1. Seed Certification
By
Dr. S. S. Jena
ASCO, Bolangir

2. Introduction
• Seed is a basic agricultural input and it is
an embryo, embedded in the food storage
tissue.
• Seed is also defined as a matured ovule
which consists of an embryonic plant with
storage of food and surrounded by a
protective seed coat.
• Seed plays an important role in any
technology embedding and we have to
produce pure, quality, resistant, healthy
seeds for production of healthy food to
satisfy our needs.
• Seed is the genetic vehicle of genetic
innovation

3. What is seed?
In broad sense
• Seed is a material which is used for planting or regeneration purpose.
scientifically
• Seed is a fertilized matured ovule together covered with seed coat is
called seed or it is a propagating material.
Technological point of view
• Seed is a fertilized ripened ovule consisting of three main parts namely
seed coat, endosperm and embryo, which in due course gives rise to a
new plant.
• It also refers to Propagating materials of healthy seedlings, tuber,
bulbs, rhizome, roots, cuttings, setts, all types of grafts and
vegetatively propagating materials used for production purpose.

4. Seeds Grains
1. Production follow a well
designed seed programme.
No designed seed programme for
production is done.
2. Varietal purity of the seed is
identified and is genetically pure.
Variety purity of the grain is not
known.
3. During seed production process,
quality standards like removal of
off-types, diseased plants, weed
plants and other crop plants are
carried out.
Quality standards are not followed.
4. Seeds have physical purity and
good germination.
Physical purity and germination is
not ensured.
5. Scientific seed production follow
the processing, treatment,
packaging and labelling procedures.
Processing, labelling and tagging
are not followed in grain
production.
6. Drying of seeds is done in a
controlled condition.
Grains are dried in higher
temperature and thus the quality of
the seeds are affected.

5. Seeds Grains
7. During seeds storage, viability
and vigour of seeds are maintained.
During storage grains are protected
against pests and diseases and not
for vigour and viability.
8. Seeds produced are certified and
labelled properly.
Grains which are used as seeds will
not have any certification labels
and tags.
9. Seeds can never be converted
into grains unless it is directed by
the seed inspector.
Can be utilized for commercial
grain purpose and sometimes can
be utilised for seed purpose.

6. Seed Production
Before entering into seed production and Marketing a
Seed Producer must go through the principles laid
down
 Seeds Act -1966
 Seeds Rules-1968
 Seeds Control Order-1983
 Indian Minimum Seed Certification Standards-
(1988 & revised 2013)

8. Seed village
• A village, wherein trained group of farmers are
involved in production of seeds of various crops and
cater to the needs of themselves, fellow farmers of the
village and farmers of neighbouring villages in
appropriate time and at affordable cost is called “a
seed village”.

9. What is Seed certification?
• A legally sanctioned system to maintain quality of seeds
during seed production, post harvest operation and
distribution of seeds.
• Seed certification is a quality assurance process. Seeds
intended for domestic and international markets is
controlled and inspected by official sources in order to
guarantee consistent high quality for consumers.
• It includes field inspection, seed quality tests and pre &
post quality check.
• Certification is a voluntary process but labelling is
compulsory.

10. Concept of Seed certification
• Concept of seed certification was originated in Sweden during
twentieth century by visiting agronomist and plant breeder to
the progressive farmers, who took seeds from them, primarily
with the objective of educating them on how to avoid
contamination. This initiated field inspection process.
• In India the field evaluation of the seed crop and its
certification started with the establishment of National Seed
Corporation (NSC) in 1963.
• The seeds act of 1966 provided the required impetus for the
establishment of official seed certification agencies by the
states.
• Maharashtra was the first state to establish an official seed
certification agencies during 1970 as part of department of
agriculture.

11. Principles for forming seed
certification agency
1. It should not involve in seed production and marketing.
2. It should have autonomy.
3. Seed certification procedure adopted should be
uniform throughout the country.
4. It should closely be associated with technical institutes.
5. It should operate on a no profit and no loss basis.
6. It should have adequate technical staff and facilities for
timely inspection of seed fields.
7. It should serve for the interests of seed producers and
buyers.

12. OSSOPCA
• Orissa State Seed Certification Agency (OSSCA) was formed on 3rd June
1977 and registered under Societies Registration Act, 1860 (Reg. No.
12176/1112 dt 14.10.1977), to carry out the functions of certification
agencies under Seeds Act 1966.
• To carry out Organic Certification in the state, OSSCA has been
renamed as Orissa State Seed & Organic Products Certification Agency
(OSSOPCA) in 2012.
• OSSOPCA workflow automation system received the
Silver Award in the category of “INNOVATIVE USE OF
ICT BY STATE GOVERNMENT / PSUs” during 19th
National Conference on E-Governance 2016 held at
Nagpur, Maharashtra.

13. COREWORKOFOSSOPCA
Core Work
of OSSOPCA
(Phases)
Registration
(1)
Verification of
seed source,
class and other
requirements
(2)
Inspection of the
seed crop in the
field
(3)
Supervision at
post-harvest
stages including
processing and
packing
(4)
Drawing of
samples and
arranging for
analysis
(5)
Grant of
certificate, issue
of certification
tags, labelling,
sealing etc
(6)

14. Objective of Seed certification
• To maintain and make available to the farmers, high
quality seeds and propagating materials of notified kind
and varieties.
• To ensure the acceptable standards of seed viability,
vigour, purity and seed health.
• To ensure genetic identity and genetic purity.
• A well organized seed certification should help in
accomplishing the following 3 primary objectives
a) The systematic increase of superior varieties.
b) The identification of new varieties and their rapid increase
under appropriate and generally accepted names.
c) Provision for continuous supply of comparable material by
careful maintenance.

15. Seed Quality
• Seed quality is a relative term and means the degree of
excellence.
• Seed quality is the sum of all properties contributing to seed
performance. The quality of seed can decide whether a
farmer’s crop will be good, bad or indifferent.
• Seed quality is determined by the following characteristics:
1. Physical Attributes
2. Physiological Attributes
3. Genetic Attributes
4. Storability

16. Seed should look like…

17. Classes of seeds

18. Breeder’s tag (Golden yellow)

19. Foundation tag (White)

20. Certified tag (Azure blue)

21. Generation system of seed multiplication
Breeder seed
Foundation
seed
Certified seed
Commercial
cultivation
RELEASE & NOTIFICATION
OF VARIETY
NUCLEUS SEED
BREEDER SEED
FOUNDATION SEED STAGE-I
FOUNDATION SEED STAGE-
II
CERTIFIED SEED STAGE-I
CERTIFIED SEED STAGE-II
COMMERCIAL
CULTIVATION
MAX. THREE
GENERATIONS

22. Eligibility requirements for certification
• A variety to become eligible for seed
certification should meet the following
requirements
• General requirements
• Specific requirements
• Field standards
• Seed standards

23. Cont.
• As per the Seeds Act 1966, seed certification is voluntary.
• Seeds of only those varieties which are notified under section 5
of the seeds Act, 1966 shall be eligible for certification.
• Breeder seed is exempted from certification. Foundation and
certified class seeds only come under certification.
• Certification shall be conducted by the Certification Agency
notified under section 8 of the Seeds Act, 1966.
• A Certificate is granted by the SCA under section 9.
• Certified seed producer means a person/organisation who
grows or distributes certified seed in accordance with the
procedures and standards of the certification.

24. Unit of Certification
• It is all under one variety,
• It does not exceed ten hectares;
• It is not divided into fields separated by more than fifty
meters between them,
• It is meant to produce seed belonging to the same class
and stage in the generation chain,
• The crop over the entire area is more or less of the same
stage of growth,
• Raised strictly as a single crop and never as mixed,
• Not so heavily and uniformly lodged that more than one
third of the plant population is trailing on the ground
leaving no scope for it to stand up again.

25. Phases of certification
1. Receipt and scrutiny of application for seed
production
2. Verification of seed source and Registration of
sowing report
3. Field inspection
4. Seed processing and packing supervision
5. Seed sampling and analysis at lab
6. Grant of certificate and tag, tagging and sealing

26. • Seed Grower can Apply Online through
http://ossopca.nic.inApplication
• SCO (Seed Certification Officer) can do the verification or
Forward to ASCO for verification as well as Inspection.Verification
• ASCO or in certain case SCO himself can do the inspection.
• Both online as well as offline module has been developed.
Inspection
Threshing Certificate
Issue
Sampling Slip
Generation
Testing Lab
TAG Certificate Issue
• TC is issued only by ASCO/SCO who did the inspection
• Processing plant can now be changed by ASCO/SCO
• Three sample slips are generated before going to do
sampling by concerned ASCO/SCO.
• Seed Testing Lab will submit their report.
• TAGs are issued by the appropriate authority.

28. Registration for seed production
http//www.ossopca.nic.in

29. 3. Field inspection
• Field inspection meant to verify those factors which can
cause irreversible damage to the genetic purity or seed
health shall be conducted without prior notice to the seed
producer.
• soon after the completion of the field inspection, a copy of
the report shall be handed over to the seed producer or
his representative.

30. Field inspection of paddy
• Isolation distance
a) Spatial isolation:
3 m
b) Temporal isolation:
Difference in flowering
timing.

31. Observation of paddy panicle

32. NOTIFIEDVARIETIESWITHIN10 YEARS
• Short duration paddy (110 days):
• Jogesh, khandagiri, sahabhagi, sidhanta, Satyabhama, jaldi
dhan-6, jaldi dhan-13, CR dhan-40, luna sankhi.
• Medium duration paddy (135 days):
• Naveen, CR dhan-10, CR bro dhan-2, manaswini, tejaswini,
phalguni, pyari, improved lalat, CR dhan-301, CR dhan-303,
taramati, Jayanti.
• Geetanjali, nua acharmati, improved pusa basmati-1, pusa
basmati-6, pusa Sugandh.
• Late duration paddy (more than 135 days):
• Pratikshya, Rani dhan
• Mrunalini, swarna sub-1, upahar, varsha dhan, jalamani, CR
dhan-601, tanmayi, samaleswari, jarava,
• Improved samba mahsuri, ketaki joha, nua kalajeera, CR
Sugandh dhan-3, nua chinikamini, poorna bhog.

33. Observingseed during threshing

34. Seed quality observation

35. Threshing
floor
certificate

36. 4. Processing and packing
Screen size for paddy plant (2 TPH)
• Top screen : 3.75 mm
• Middle screen: 2.75 mm
• Bottom screen: 1.85 mm
• Seed processing means cleaning, drying, treating, grading and
other operations which will improve the quality of seeds.
• The screen aperture size as specified shall be used for cleaning
and grading of seeds so that typical contaminants such as weed
seeds, small seeds, damaged seeds, broken and shrivelled seeds,
straw, chaff, leaves, twigs, stones, soil particles etc. are removed.

37. Seed storage

38. Seed lot
• A seed lot is a physically identifiable quantity of seed which is
homogeneous.
• A seed lot would represent any quantity of agricultural seeds up
to a maximum of 20,000 kilogrammes for seeds of the size of
rice or larger and 10,000 kilogrammes for seeds smaller than
rice subject to a tolerance limit of 5.0 %.
• The quantities in excess of the above maximum limits shall be
sub-divided and a separate lot identification shall be given.
• Seed lots should have prescribed moisture level with proper
labelling.

39. Lot number
OCT-16-18-227-07G 12251
Month
Year
State code
Plant code
Zonal code
(Balangir)
Lot number

40. 5. Sampling of seeds for laboratory tests
• The Certification Agency shall draw a representative
composite sample as per procedure specified in Seed
Testing Manual.
• The composite sample wiIl be divided into three
equal parts, and one shall be sent for analysis to a
notified Seed Testing Laboratory (L), the second part
to the seed producer (P) and retain the third part as a
guard sample (G).
• The Seed Testing Laboratory shall analyse the seed
samples in accordance with the prescribed procedure
and deliver the Seed Analysis Report to the
Certification Agency as soon as may be, but not later
than 30 days from the date of receipt of the samples

41. Seed sampling

42. Sample slip

43. Seed Testing
• Seed testing is determining the standards of a seed
lot viz., physical purity, moisture, germination and ODV
and thereby enabling the farming community to get
quality seeds.
• The Seed Testing Laboratory is the hub of seed quality
control. Seed testing services are required from time to
time to gain information regarding planting value of seed
lots. Seed testing is possible for all those who produce,
sell and use seeds.
• ISTA: International Seed Testing Association
• CSTL: Central Seed Testing Laboratory, Banaras

44. Certification standards
Field standards Foundation Certified
Isolation distance (m) 3 3
Off types (%) 0.05 0.2
Objectionable weeds (%) 0.01 0.02
Field standards for paddy
Seed standards for paddy
Seed standards Foundation Certified
Germination min % 80 80
Moisture max % 13 13
Pure seed min % 98 98
Inert matter max % 2 2
ODV max % 0.05 0.2
Objectionable weed seeds max 2 /kg 5 /kg
Designated disease % 0.1 0.5

45. Indian Minimum Seed Certification Standards

46. Result Page

47. 6. Tagging
• Approved seed lots should be tagged with certification tag
issued by Assistant Seed Certification Officer.
• The green colour (10 – 15 cm size) producer tag should also be
attached to the seed lot along with the certification tag.
• The certified tagged seed is valid only for a limited period of
time, say nine months from the date of seed sample testing
for all seed crops.
• If the particular seed lot is not sold out within this period,
revalidation of additional six months can be made only if the
seed lot meets out necessary seed standards.

48. Tag certificate

49. Tagging of bag

50. Costs of certification
Registration fee per grower/ location/ crop/ season/unit 25/-
Inspection fee
a) Foundation class of all crops 350/-
b) Certified class of all crops 300/-
Processing supervision fees (per quintal) 3/-
Packing/ Repacking supervision fees (per quintal) 3/-
Re-processing supervision fees (per quintal) 5/-
Sampling and seed testing fees 80/-
Grow out test fees (per sample) 300/-
Processing plant registration fee 2000/-
Processing plant renewal fee/ year 1000/-
Cost of tag including cost of lead seal 3/-
Seed transfer fee/ qtl (if transferred from site of processing to
other places for storage)
10/-

51. Grow out test
• The Certification Agency shall conduct grow-out test to
determine genetic purity of a seed lot wherever it is a
pre-requisite for grant of the certificate and also on the
seed lots where a doubt has arisen about the genetic
purity.
• The grow-out test can be complemented by certain
related laboratory tests.

52. Do’s in quality seed production
• Click ossopca.nic.in through Online for Registration.
• For checking notification status & characteristics of a
variety click seednet.gov.in website.
• The seed production should be done in compact patches
(4-10 ha).
• The address of farmer with contact number (mobile), location of
the patch should clearly be mentioned in the online application
form.
• A single farmer should not grow two classes of same
variety during a season.
• The date of showing mentioned in the online application
form should be specific and accurate.

53. Do’s in quality seed production
• The seed producer /the seed grower/ his representative
should accompany the certification personnel and his
team.
• Isolation distance for varieties under different crops should
be maintained properly.
• Timely rouging of off-types should be done.
• Recycling/ reuse of old and damaged gunny bags for
packing of unprocessed seed is strictly prohibited.
• The seeds having poor colour, luster & texture should be
avoided for processing.
• Processing schedule and sampling requisition should be
submitted well in advance.

54. Do’s in quality seed production
• The name of the variety as per Notification & Release
should be inscribed on the Breeder Labels & Certification
Tags, which will facilitate the Online Registration &
acceptance.
• All the procedures in seed certification are to be strictly
followed and adhered to as per the rules & procedures
laid down in IMSCS prescribed by the Central Seed
Certification Board -1988, GOI, New Delhi.

55. Do’s in quality seed production
• The seed lots are to be stored in proper/ ideal storing
conditions to maintain seed vigor & viability.
• The moisture content of unprocessed seed stocks
received at the SPP is to be ensured and recorded in the
log book by the person receiving the stock.
• Seed containers/ bags should be clearly and properly
labeled.
• Wooden racks/ iron racks or pallets should be used for
stacking of processed seed lots to avoid moisture
absorption during storage.
• Stacking of processed seed lots should be such that each
and every bag is accessible for accurate sampling.

56. Do’s in quality seed production
• Each seed lot should contain maximum up to 12 stacks
(for 30 kg. containers/ bags) and 15 stacks (for 20 kg.
containers/ bags) for better accessibility of the entire
lots.
• Each seed processing plant should have proper size of
sieves (top screen and bottom screen) for different crops
to maintain optimum physical purity of a seed lot.
• The processed stocks should not be shifted/ disturbed/
diverted from the place where sample has been drawn
till issue of tag certificate & tagging.
• The certification tags along with producer label are to be
affixed to the seed containers and sealed with lead seal
provided by OSSOPCA.

57. Don’ts in quality seed production
• Taking up seed production in field where other varieties
of the same crop or same variety not certified by the
Seed Certification Agency was grown in the previous
season.
• Use of un-notified varieties, un-certified seeds or
certified seeds not permitted for further seed production
under seed multiplication programme.
• Processing the seed if the moisture content is more than
15% as this may lead to mechanical injury to the seed.
• Keeping the seed in an open space after processing as
this may come in direct contact with moisture and heat,
leading to loss of viability.

58. Don’ts in quality seed production
• Mixing seed bags of different lots. This may lead to
confusion and ultimately non-issue of tags.
• Mixing the seeds of a rejected field of one crop variety
with certified seed of the same. In case it is mixed the
entire lot will be treated as un-certified seed.
• Divert or sale of certified seeds without certification tags
and seal of the certification Agency.
• Inadequate isolation distance between different varieties
of the same crop.
• Late submission of application where the stage of the
seed crop has crossed the first inspection stage.

59. Don’ts in quality seed production
• Throw away of the certification tags used in the seed bags. This
may be required by the Seed Certification personnel at the time
of verification of seed source.
• Waiting till the maturity of the off-types for rouging as the same
may be a factor for rejection of crop. Rouging should be done
immediately as and when any off-type is detected in the field.
• Harvesting and dumping the crop at high moisture percentage.
This may lead to failure of germination.
• Keeping different varieties of a crop after harvest in the
threshing floor close to each other. This may lead to physical
mixture of the varieties.
• Threshing more than one varieties at a time.

60. Thank You
Per seed more yield…