Prerequisite for any seed production program is to maintain genetic purity and other characteristics of seed. Therefore seed production should be conducted with some underlying principles.
Seed technology categories such principles considered during production and seed multiplication under two main headings.
Genetic Principles
- Developmental variation
- Mechanical mixture
- Mutation
- Minor genetic variations
- Crossing (natural)
- Heritable variations
- Plant breeding techniques
Agronomic Principles
- Suitable agro climatic zone selection
- Plot selection
- Land preparation
- Selection of variety
- Seed
- Seed treatment
- Seed rate
- Planting and sowing
- Method of sowing
- Depth of sowing
- Isolation
- Rouging
- Weed control
- Diseases and pests control
- Fertilization
- Irrigation
- Harvesting
- Threshing
- Drying
- Storage
For the details on principles of seed production visit Seeds handbook By B. B. Desai.