Seed Science and Technology: Biology, Production, Quality

This open-access edited book is a collection of 17 chapters, synthesized primarily from the lectures delivered by eminent Indian and international experts during a series of capacity-building programmes organised in India during 2020 and 2021 under the aegis of 'Indo-German Cooperation on Seed Sector Development', a component of the Bilateral Cooperation between the Governments of India and Germany.

Seed Science and Technology, a multi-disciplinary subject, is advancing rapidly keeping pace with the development of improved plant varieties and other climate-resilient technologies. Knowledge of the underlying biological processes and application of appropriate technologies for variety maintenance and seed production; quality assurance, testing and enhancement; processing, packaging and storage etc., are important in a seed programme.  

Chapters presented in the book is a blend of basic seed biology covering seed development, maturation, dormancy, germination, vigour and invigoration, and seed deterioration; variety maintenance and production of genetically pure seed of open-pollinated and hybrid varieties in a few key field crops and vegetables, and fundamentals of seed processing, packaging and storage;  and seed quality assurance systems followed in different countries; testing the essential components of seed quality including seed health, application of molecular technologies for precision in testing, and enhancement of seed quality. It concludes by identifying the key areas of future seed research and technology development. 

The book covers the fundamentals and recent advances of seed science and technology with the latest research information and an exhaustive and updated list of references on different topics. It is expected to benefit the students as well as the scientists, faculty members and seed sector professionals, working in the public and private seed sectors, certification authorities and seed producing agencies in India, and elsewhere.  

Dr. Malavika Dadlani is a renowned seed scientist with an active career of four decades in the field of Seed Science and Technology. Educated at some of the most prestigious academic institutions in India, including the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi; Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur, and Calcutta University, Dr Dadlani dedicated her entire professional career to research and postgraduate teaching in seed science and technology at IARI, where she held the positions of the Head of the Division of Seed Science and Technology, and the Joint Director (Research). A seed physiologist by training, Dr Dadlani has also made significant contributions to hybrid seed production, plant variety identification and purity testing, and supervised the post-graduate and doctoral research of 21 students in the disciplines of seed science and technology, plant physiology and plant biotechnology. She has more than 200 publications, including papers in peer reviewed journals, chapters and books. She is a Fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), India and a recipient of many other recognitions and awards. Dr Dadlani served as the President of the Indian Society of Seed Technology and a member of the Vigour Committee, ISTA, and presently is the Editor of NAAS. She served as a Consultant at Bioversity International, India Office and a short-term FAO consultant in the seed programmes of Cambodia and Myanmar.

Dr. Devendra Kumar Yadava is a noted plant breeder and seed technologist with 26 years of research experience, which includes more than six years as the Head, Division of Seed Science & Technology at Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi. Presently he is the Assistant Director General (Seed), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi. He has contributed in the development and release of 21 plant varieties (mustard 18; pulses 3) which include early maturing; low erucic acid, and canola oil quality mustard varieties, that provided better choice to both farmers and consumers. Dr Yadava contributed to the development of state seed rolling plans leading to enhanced seed and varietal replacement rates, and significant improvements in the national breeder seed production programme. As a member of many regulatory bodies of the Govt. of India he contributed in policy formulation/ amendments in the Seed Bill, Genome editing guidelines, proposed amendments of Biodiversity Act, etc. He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, India and recipient of many prestigious awards eg., Rafi Ahmad Kidwai Award of ICAR, Dr. B.P. Pal Memorial and Dr. A.B. Joshi Memorial Awards of IARI, New Delhi; NAAS Recognition Award; and Dr. P.R. Kumar Brassica Outstanding Scientist Award, Bharatpur. He has published 90 research papers in high impact factor peer reviewed journals, authored eight books along with 170 other publications.