In this article we will discuss about:- 1. Introduction to Seeds 2. Importance of Seeds 3. Improved Varieties 4. Techniques 5. Genetic Improvement 6. National Seeds Corporation 7. Progress of Area under HYV.
Introduction to Seeds:
Of all the methods of improving agricultural technique none has brought about such progress as the improvement of plants through selection and cross-breeding. These methods of improvement entail considerable expense and constant care, whereas the use of improved varieties of seeds only involves the agriculturist in slight extra expense represented by the surcharge of a few rupees per capita of seed. The introduction of a better variety in an agricultural area means an immediate profit for the agriculturist. It improves the crop either in quantity or in quality while scarcely increasing the cost of cultivation.
The creation of variety with an improved yield and quality is, therefore, one of the simplest and most effective means of raising the general level, of the country’s economy. The methods of producing better varieties include the introduction of new forms, selection from, variations occurring in nature and from those artificially induced by hybridisation of plants and indeed all those means by which conscious improvements of plants may be accompanied. In the production of 10 to 15 per cent can be obtained from improved varieties.
Plant genetics is advanced enough to develop seeds strains almost to order. Nature’s slow process of mutation has been speeded up by irradiation of seeds with radio isotopes and selecting strains with the desired qualities. Indian scientists have produced strains which are not only prolific yielders but also flood-resistant, drought-resistant and disease-resistant and which mature early. These are meeting the conditions of water logged areas, semi-arid tracts and the requirements of the multiple cropping.
Importance of Seeds:
Demonstrations have revealed that the natural average yield of rice was 1.15 tonnes per hectare in 1971-72, 85 per cent of the national demonstration plots with HYV seeds gave a yield exceeding 4.5 tonnes. The figures of wheat were 1.31 tonnes per hectare on 81 per cent of the plots in 1971-72. The analysis of the yield data reported from various states indicated that as compared to traditional varieties, the yield of these varieties was significantly higher.
The higher yield of paddy touched the level of 13,000 kgs. per hectare and the average yield in different states ranged between 2,100 Kgs. and 5,500 Kgs. per hectare. In the case of hybrids, yields as high as 7,835 Kgs., 7,500 Kgs. and 6,527 Kgs. per hectare were obtained for maize, jowar and bajra respectively. The per hectare yields of maize ranged between 1,404 Kgs. and 3,500 Kgs. in different states and those of hybrid bajra ranged between 1,300 Kgs. and 3,875 Kgs, and of jowar between 1,275 Kgs. and 3,767 Kgs.
However, several administrative, organisational and institutional problems faced in the implementation of the programmes of high yielding varieties were identified during the Evaluation Studies conducted by the Planning Commission and Agro-Economical Research Centres.
The problems included provision of additional facilities in certain research laboratories, strengthening of soil testing facilities; fuller utilization of available soil testing facilities, greater emphasis on demonstration and improvements in training programmes, better publicity, popularisation and use of treated seeds, quality control of fertilizers and pesticides and increased supply of institutional credit.
Some Improved Varieties of Seeds:
Quite a large number of improved varieties of foodgrains have been evolved, which have helped in boosting up the production of foodgrains. The All-India Co-ordinated Project on Improvement of Wheat has evolved new varieties which have a high degree of resistance to all types of rust and which mature earlier than the older varieties.
Research work is being carried on at 20 centres. The varieties evolved are suitable for rain fed conditions, particularly in central and western regions of the country, comprising Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, M.P., U.P., North Bihar, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Most of the varieties ripen within 120 to 140 days and their yield potential varies from 20-25 quintals to as much as 70-80 quintals per hectare.
Based on field trials the following varieties of wheat have been considered suitable for rain-fed as well as high fertility conditions. Larma Rajo, Sonara-64, Sharbati Sonara, Kalyan Sona, Sonalika, S-311 (Chotti Lerma), Safed Lerma, Hira (HD-1941), Narmada-4C., Meghdoot (H1- 7483). H.S. 1097-11, Moti, Pusa Lerma, U.P., 215, U.P. 310, HD-1925, HD-1982, HD-1999, HD 4502 and W.G.-377. Some of these are of short duration, while others are late sowing varieties and are grown where irrigation is available even upto the middle of January after the harvest of sugarcane, potato, radish, carrots or turnips.
Even more heartening are some of the exotic varieties of paddy which can stand high doses of fertilizers and give yields ranging from 3,500 Kgs. to 7,500 Kgs. per hectare. So far more than 400 superior varieties have been evolved, which give 10 to 20 per cent more yield. The All-India Co-ordinated Rice improvement Project is involved in bringing out new varieties of dwarf and high yielding ability.
Many of these varieties are of better grain quality, early maturing and drought resistant; while others are susceptible to severe diseases (bacterial leaf blight) pests, (stem borers and leaf and plant hoppers) unsuitable under water-logged conditions, coarse glutinous grain and poor consumer acceptance. Therefore, now such varieties are being raised which are devoid of these problems.
The main varieties suitable for general cultivation are IR-8, Jaya and Vijaya. Those suitable for specific regions are Bala, Cauvery, Kandi, Krishna, Padma, Pankaj and Jaganath. The varieties for special situation are Sabarmati, Jamuna, Ratna and IR-20. Other six dwarf varieties for specific regions are- Hamsa, Annapurna, Karuna, Sarju-49 and Suma and Kusuma.
The All-India Co-ordinated Project on Pulse Crops was undertaken in 1967 with a view to evolve quick yielding varieties which can be fitted into suitable multiple cropping and relay-cropping patterns in areas with assured irrigation and also high yielding strains which are resistant to pests and diseases. The IARI scientists have developed a new short duration (75 days) variety of green gram (viz., Pusa Baisabhi) for growing between rabi and kharif crops yielding over a tonne of grain per hectare.
About 7,000 varieties of chana (Bengal Gram) have been under trial at IARI. Besides, thousands of varieties of Arhar, Moong and other pulses have been screened in the regional centres at Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Jabalpur, Ludhiana, Varanasi, etc.
Under coarse grains, new varieties of maize, bajra, jowar and sorghum have been evolved under the programmes of the All-India Co-ordinated Millets Improvement Project. Six hybrids HB-1 to HB-4 of bajra and two others have been released which take about 75 days to mature and give yields of about 4,000 Kgs. per hectare. But these strains are subject to pests and diseases and, hence, have not been very popular.
However, efforts are on way to overcome these problems. Two hybrids—CSH 1 and CSH II—of Jowar have been evolved. These take about 3 to 4 months to mature and yield about 4,000 to 6,000 Kgs, per hectare. But these have not found much favour with the cultivators because when they are about to mature rains deteriorate the quality of the grain- and some of these hybrids are not suitable for high rainfall areas; and they also do not meet the consumer demands.
A number of high yielding hybrids and composite varieties of maize has been evolved under the All-India Co-ordinated Maize Breeding Project, such as the Ganga 101, Ganga-3, Ganga-Safed 2, Ranjit, Deccan, Himalayan-123 and Hi. Starch. These mature between 85 to 120 days and give about 45 to 75 quintals per hectare.
They have been adopted in some areas like the northern plains; Southern Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra, and in some parts of Deccan, but in others there has been considerable resistance from the farmers because the available varieties do not fit in well with the existing pattern of rabi crops and, moreover, they are non-resistant to pests and diseases.
Oilseeds are concerned high yielding and early maturing varieties have been for castor (Aruna CSH-2, Suphala), groundnut (M-13 C-148 and KG-61-120); rusi-resistant varieties of linseed; and high yielding tall and dwarf hybrids of coconut. To meet the increasing requirements of edible oils in the country, large scale cultivation of soya bean is undertaken in Maharashtra, Gujarat, U.P., and M.P.
Sunflower is also being grown over large areas in the country particularly of the Russian variety, in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and some parts of North India. Demonstration schemes for castor summer-irrigated groundnut and implementation of aerial ground spraying of other oil seeds is also under way.
Superior strains of sugarcane have been evolved at Coimbatore, which are more vigorous and good yielders. Co-312, Co-313, Co-419, Co-421, Co-427, Co-527, Co-453, Co-8 and Bo-11 are important varieties. But because of low rate of multiplication of seed and tardiness in the adoption, has been the main problem in their popularity.
A large number of improved types of arboreum herbaceum and American varieties have been evolved under the Central Cotton Committee such as the Kalyan, Vijaya Laxmi, Pratap, Virnar, Jarila Jayther, Garoni Uganda, K-2, K-5, N-14, C-1, C-12, F-216, F-231, R 420, Malwa 9, and Indore 1. But many new varieties have now been developed by IARI MCU-5 (Sujata and Suvin), Gujarat Hybrid 4; Varalakshmi, PR 9, PS 10 and SS 67 are not only short of duration, but also long-staple, superior cotton with high ginning capacity. These are being raised in the command areas of Rajasthan Canal, Tungabhadra and Nagarjunsagar.
Under fodder crops Pusa Giant Napir grass gives 2,500 to 3,000 quintals of green matter per hectare per year. It contains 25 per cent more protein and 12% more sugar than the Napier grass, Pusa Giant Berseem gives an additional 900 to 1,000 quintals of green fodder per hectare per year, and is frost-resistant.
In the field of horticulture and vegetables, improved varieties giving good performances as regards yields and freedom from diseases have been evolved. Important among the vegetables are tomato, brinjal, bottle gourd, sweet potato, garden peas, field peas, cabbage, cauliflower, turnip, carrot, khol-khol, lady’s finger and many others.
Among the fruits, the development of crops like nuts (almond and walnut) has been promoted in the Himalayan region. Grape cultivation has been given a fillip in the Deccan and Peninsular India with a new promising variety Anab-e-Shahi. Another variety Pusa Seedless is now being cultivated in Delhi region.
Besides, many foreign vegetable crop varieties and fruit trees have been released for commercial cultivation. Important among these are high-yielding tomato and garden varieties from the U.S.A. Cowpea variety from the Philippines, varieties of watermelons from the U. S. A. and Japan, and a pea variety from Australia.
Sugar beet is also being cultivated efficiently in Punjab, Rajasthan, U.P., Haryana and in selected areas in Maharashtra.
Techniques of Obtaining High Yields of Seeds:
High yields are obtained from hybrid varieties through:
(a) Thick Sowing:
Thick sowing i.e., the plant density is increased e.g., the ideal plant population of maize, jowar and bajra are respectively 50,000, 1,40,000; and 1,20,000 plants per hectare.
(b) Fertilizer Dosages:
To reap rich harvest it is necessary to apply about 100 kgs. of nitrogen, 50 kgs. of phosphorus and 30 kgs, of potash per hectare. With increased yields elements like sulphur, zinc and boron get depleted. Therefore, in areas of intensive cropping, these are supplied as a routine procedure.
(c) Pest and Disease Control:
For producing high yields plant protection measures are needed.
(d) Proper Timing of ‘Fertilizers and Irrigation’:
Where heavy doses of fertilizers are being applied it is important that 75 per cent of the dose of N should be given at the time of sowing. Irrigation at the time of grain development is essential.
Genetic Improvement of Crops:
Genetic improvement of Crops and plants are of highest importance and urgency for several reasons, such as:
(i) Large yield increases are dependent to a large extent on a suitable variety, which is capable to produce high yields, provided other associated factors are available in proper combination.
(ii) Interactions and responsiveness of improved varieties with fertilizers, additional moistures and other inputs are substantial.
(iii) Improved varieties are one of the most important components or strategic inputs, which farmers should like to use for attaining a higher yield.
Agricultural production can be increased further if efforts are made on putting the scientifically bred, processed and tested seed on the land. This programme will necessarily involve efficient production of breeder foundation and certified seeds, their processing, storage, quality control, and seed distribution and marketing.
The production of breeder seeds is determined by the moisture, sunlight, temperature patterns, susceptibility to disease and pests, drainage situation, and consumer preferences of every area. These dictate optimality of the seed which can maximise yields for a particular area. The agencies for releasing breeder seeds may be ICAR, agricultural universities or the private seed agencies.
Production of foundation seeds require that such seeds are inspected frequently in order to ensure a high yield with disease-free, well filled and viable seed grains. Harvesting, cleaning, bagging and labelling have to be carried on under supervision. Such seeds can be produced on seed farms of large size which enjoy adequate facilities and good technical staff for their production.
Certified seeds are produced with foundation seeds for use by farmers and these seeds are certified as fulfilling prescribed purity, germination (namely 95 per cent) and other standards. Such seeds are generally produced in progressive farmer’s farms under contract.
Seed multiplication programme requires that for multiplication of seeds, irrigated and fertile areas are chosen carefully, so that quality farmer’s seed can be produced without risk of disease and pests. Secondly, irrigation with large compact areas under production, good inputs, processing, storage facilities. Finally, adequate incentive should be maintained to spur the seed farmers to produce quality seeds.
The National Commission on Agriculture in its interim Report on seeds of high yielding varieties and hybrids of cereals has dealt with certain aspects relating to multiplication and distribution of quality seeds of cereals with a view to ensuring regular supply of quality seeds in adequate quantities. It has spelt out the responsibilities of various agencies in multiplication and distribution in different stages-breed’s foundation and certified seed.
With regard to breeder’s seed, it has laid down that responsibility should be on the research institutions and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. For foundation seed, it has advocated that the National Seeds Corporation should be responsible for varieties of all- India importance and State Governments should designate agency or agencies with regard to varieties State importance.
With regard to certified seed, the Commission has advocated a multiplicity of agencies both for production and for marketing and has suggested their development by providing necessary incentives and facilities. The responsibility for assessment of the requirements of seed at various stages has been assigned to the production and marketing agencies subject to supervision, guidelines and co-ordination by the State and Central Governments.
There are three large All-India Organisations for production of certified seeds, i.e., the National Seeds Corporation, the Terai Development Corporation, and the States Farm Corporation of India; besides two all India associations of private seed producers, i.e., All-India Crop Improvement and Seed Producers Association and All India Seed Growers, Merchants and Nurserymen Association. Some State governments also have their own seed corporations which manage their seed multiplication farms.
National Seeds Corporation:
This Corporation was established in 1963 mainly as an organisation to produce, stock and supply foundation seeds for hybrids particularly, hybrid maize which were released by that year. The Corporation launched a major programme of seed production of certified seeds of hybrid maize, hybrid jowar, hybrid bajra and Taichung Native I in December, 1965 and January 1966.
Seven Regional units of the Corporation have been set up in different parts of the country to facilitate timely supply of parent seeds, and to provide technical guidance and seed and inspection and certification of hybrid seed crops, processing plants have also been set up to facilitate the processing of seeds.
The Corporation has been providing besides hybrid seeds of maize, jowar, bajra, rice etc. vegetable seeds also, such as Pusa Sawani Bhindi, Pusa Rubby tomato, Pusa Purple, Long brinjal, Pusa Katki, cauliflower, new Pusa Chillies, Guntur, 3 chillies. Coimbatore long Karela, Bonnervile and Perfection New line peas and Asiriya Murtunde groundnut.
The Terai Development Corporation, set up in 1869, has made appreciable progress in production of seeds particularly of paddy, maize, sorhburm and soya beans.
The table given above shows progress in production of certified quality seeds. Much of the spectacular gain in cereal production is ascribed to breakthrough in seed technology. Genetic manipulation of seed has brought the ‘era of choice’ in seeds. This has opened new vistas for the domestic formers. There are a number of on-going programmes like setting up seed processing plants, development of seed farms, strengthening of seed testing laboratory and creation of additional storage capacity.
Production of seed is the basic requirement to enhance the agricultural production. Production of Breeder, Foundation and certified seeds has increased to meet the requirement of the farming community. Seed development programme of the country is an important area for the modernisation of Indian Agriculture.
Government of India, State governments, Cooperatives and Private sector institutions are contributing towards the production of quality seeds in the country. The share of private sector in seed production is increasing whereas that of Public Sector is decreasing. Now the private seed supply has overtaken the seed sourcing from public sources. However, the private sector remains absent in the production of seeds of self-pollinating varieties.
At present the seed replacement rate in respect to various crops is low in different states. The desirable seed replacement without which it is not possible to achieve higher productivity, are 25 per cent for self-pollinated crops, 35 per cent for cross pollinated crops and 100 per cent for hybrids.
Progress of Area under HYV of Seeds:
High yielding varieties of seeds are the core of our agricultural progress. They are considered as ‘miracle seeds’. Within a short period the area placed under High Yielding Varieties of seeds are increased considerably. In four years from 1967-68 to 1971-72 the proportion of area under HYV of seeds to the area under foodgrains trebled from about 5 per cent to 15 per cent. The total area under HYV seeds was about 1.89 million hectare. It sharply rose to 43.0 million hectare in 1980-81. The total area under HYV seeds has increased substantially after 1980.
The area under High Yielding varieties of seeds was 76 million hectares in 1997-98. Now use of hybrid seeds is increasing. Most of the area under Wheat, Paddy, Jowar, Bajra, Maize and Sugarcane has been brought under High Yielding varieties of seeds. It has been estimated that 74.1 per cent of the area under wheat crop and 86.1 per cent of the area under paddy crop has been brought under HYV programme.