STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR SEED QUALITY

ASSURANCE

1. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF QUALITY ASSURANCE

1. Sampling of seed for checking purity, Germination and seed Health.
2. Ensure Selection of seed for Multiplication & Production.
3. proper Storage of Produce at farmer level and proper Shifting to
warehouse/processing plant to avoid loss of seed viability & purity.
4. To get maintain suitable Temperature & Humidity during Storage.
5. Inspection and sampling of every seed present or coming from outside
6. Seed quality checks every 2-3 months in a year.
7. Check seed quality before dispatch.

2. STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR SEED MOVEMENT

1. Any seed movement from store to and back will be managed by the Quality
Assurance department.
2. The outgoing seed will be with following information:-
a. Name of variety/hybrid
b. Purity (minimum standard)
c. Germination %age (minimum standard)
3. The seed division will not be responsible of seed which has been kept for more than
seven days at shop or outside warehouse without proper storage.
4. Any seed coming back from the field will be reported to quality assurance department
for checking of purity and germination.
5. The warehouse incharge will not place any seed in the warehouse unless cleared by
the quality assurance department.
6. The movement of seed will be variety and lot wise printed on each bag.
7. Bin cards will be displayed on each consignment indicating variety name.
8. Seed coming back from the field must have dealers name & place.
3. ROLE OF QUALITY ASSURANCE LABORATORY

The science of evaluating the planting value of the seeds. By seed testing we can assess the
quality attributes of the seed lots which have to be offered for sale and minimizing the risk of
planting low quality seeds.

1. Objective & Importance of Seed Testing

Seed testing is required to achieve the following objectives for minimizing the risks of planting
low quality seeds.

1. To identify the quality problem and their probable cause 

2. To determine their quality, that is, their suitability for planting 
3. To determine the need for drying and processing and specific procedures that should be
used.
4. To determine if seed meets established quality standards.
5. The primary aim of the seed testing is to obtain accurate and reproducible results
regarding the quality status of the seed.

Importance

 The importance of seed testing was realized more than 100 years ago for assured planting
values. The adulteration of vegetable seeds by stone dust which was packed in some parts
of the world particularly in Europe.              
  Seed testing has been developed to aid agriculture to avoid some of the hazards of crop
production by furnishing the needed information about different quality attributes
viz., purity, moisture, germination, vigour and health.
  Quality control of seed depends on the different seed testing protocols which determine
the genuineness of the cultivar.
 Testing of seed to evaluate the planting value and the authenticity of the certified lot.
 Seed testing is required to assess the seed quality attributes of the seed lots.
  These quality attributes are seed moisture content, germination and vigour, physical and
genetic purity, freedom from seed borne diseases and insect infestation.
 The testing of seed quality is carried out on seed samples drawn from seed lot to be used
for cultivation.

Role of Quality Assurance Laboratory

Seed testing laboratories are essential organization in seed certification and seed quality control
programs. The main objective is to serve the producer, the consumer and the seed industry by
providing information on seed quality.

Analysis of seed in the laboratory: Seed testing is possible for all those who produce, sell and
use seeds. Seed testing is highly specialized and technical job. With a view to maintain
uniformity in quality control the seed analysis laboratory includes for distinct sections.

1. Section for purity testing: Purity analysis of seed lot is considered under two factors
a) Testing the cleanliness of seed lot and
b) Testing the geneuiness of the cultivar
2. Section for moisture testing
3. Section for viability, germination and vigour testing.

Sampling in Seed Testing Laboratory

The seed samples received in the laboratory (submitted sample) are required to be reduced to
obtain working samples for carrying out various tests. A number of methods are available for
obtaining working samples.

1. Physical Purity

The purity analysis of a seed sample in the seed testing laboratory refers to the determination of
the different components of the purity viz., pure seeds, other crop seeds, weed seeds and inert
matter.
2. Germination

Germination is defined as the emergence and development from the seed embryo, of those
essential structures, for the kind of seed in question, indicates its ability to produce a normal
plant under favourable conditions.

The test is conducted under favourable conditions of moisture, temperature, suitable substratum
and light.

3. Determination of moisture content

The moisture content of a seed sample is the loss in weight when it is dried. It is expressed as a
percentage of the weight of the original sample. It is one of the most important factors in the
maintenance of seed quality.