📔 Seed Classes

Classes, Improved Seed, Seed Moisture

Seed Classes

👉🏻 There are four generally recognized classes of seeds. They are

Breeder seed
Foundation seed
Registered seed
Certified seed
The basis of seed multiplication of all notified varieties/hybrids is the Nucleus seed.
In India, normally 3 generation system seed are produced.

This is the hundred percent genetically & physical pure seed and produced by the original breeder/Institute/State Agriculture University (SAU) from basic nucleus seed stock.
Obtained by process of mass selection.
A pedigree certificate is issued by the producing breeder.

The progeny of nucleus seed multiplied in large area as per indent of Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DoAC), Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, under supervision of plant breeder / institute / SAUs and monitored by a committee consisting of the representatives of state seed certification agency, national / state seed corporations, ICAR nominee and concerned breeder.
This is also hundred percent physical and genetic pure seed for production of foundation seed.
A Golden Yellow Colour certificate is issued for this category of seed by the producing breeder. ^{UPPSC 2021}
Breeder seed is exempted from certification. ^{FCI AGM 2021}
12 cm x 6 cm

Produced from breeder seed and is the source of all other certified seed classes either directly or through registered seed. It is also known as Mother Seed.
It is always produced by certain organizations viz. National Seeds Corporation (mainly), Tarai Development Corporation (TDC) and State Seed Corporation (SSC).
lt is produced on Government Farms, at experiment stations, Agriculture Universities or on cultivator’s field under strict supervision of research scientists and experts from NSC or SSC. lt has specific genetic identity and purity.
A White Colour certificate is issued for foundation seed by seed certification agencies. ^{UPPSC 2021}
15 cm x 7.5 cm

Produced from FS or Registered seed itself. lt is the parent of certified seed or RS.
It has satisfactory genetic identity and purity and is usually produced by progressive farmers under technical guidance and supervision from SSC.
In India, it is often omitted and certified seed is produced directly from FS.
A Purple Colour certificate is issued for this category of seed.

Progeny of RS, FS or CS itself. lt has satisfactory genetic identity and purity.
lt is approved and certified by the state seed certifying agency (SSCA), annually produced by progressive farmers according to standard seed production practices.
lt is available for general distribution to farmers for commercial crop production.
lt is generally produced by SSC but NSC also undertakes its production, if required.
This is the commercial seed which is available to the farmers and its genetic purity should be 99 per cent.
15 cm x 7.5 cm
Two classes of CS are produced i.e. F1 and F2.
Recertification is not permitted form F2 generation (Second) of seeds.
Azure Blue Colour certificate is issued by seed certification agency for this category of seed. ^{UPPSC 2021}

👉🏻 Other types of seeds in Agronomic use are:

It is the seed offered for sale after testing germination percentage and physical purity etc.
It is not a certified seed, as there is no inspection carried out by the certified person.
There is no colour tag for TFL seed.

It is a better seed substitute for pure seed but is not so good with respect to genetic and physical factors. It has at least 10-15% more genetic potential than the local seed and are resistant to pest and diseases, well adapted to agro-climatic conditions of the locality, high in response to better condition of growth.
- Hybrid seed
- Composite seeds
- Mutant seeds