Elec03

Understand the structure of the seed industry, the seed chain, key institutions, and the regulatory framework governing quality seed.

DUS Testing and Variety Registration — distinctness, uniformity, stability testing, and the PPV&FR Act for plant variety protection.

Hybrid Seed Production Technology — principles, male sterility systems, isolation requirements, and commercial hybrid seed production.

Quality Seed Production — field standards, isolation, roguing, and seed production techniques for rice, wheat, maize, cotton, and vegetables.

Seed Processing and Storage — cleaning, grading, drying, treatment, packaging, and storage conditions for maintaining seed viability.

Seed Certification and Testing — certification process, field and seed standards, seed testing procedures, and ISTA rules.

Private Sector in Plant Breeding — role of seed companies, R&D investment, molecular breeding, and public-private partnerships.

Learn how intellectual-property systems protect plant-breeding innovation while balancing breeder, farmer, and researcher interests.