Principles of Seed Science and Technology

Seeds are fundamental to agriculture. They are the starting point for the production of most crops and delivery system for advanced genetics. Seeds constitute 70% of our food and recent additional uses of seeds as stored energy has increased both seed and commodity prices worldwide. The past 50 years has seen many research-driven improvements in seed genetics and technology that have been responsible for dramatic increases in crop productivity worldwide. Increasing demand for seed as biofuel feedstock coupled with a need to feed a burgeoning global population makes seed science and technology an essential discipline for human survival and prosperity. Cereal production alone will have to increase by roughly a billion metric tons in the next 30 years to meet world needs. To meet future world needs for food, fiber and energy, additional research advancements in seed genetics and technology will be critical. Seed science and technology involves several disciplines such as plant production, agronomy, plant physiology, plant science, entomology and plant pathology. The seed is the most important and essential starting point for a healthy plant. If a seed is not viable a seedling will not emerge. If a seed has low vigor a weak seedling will emerge which in turn may either succumb to environmental conditions or attack by pathogens or insects. It is therefore of the outmost importance to look at the seed to make sure that it is viable and will give rise to vigorous seedlings able to withstand unfavorable environmental conditions and pests. Correct sampling of a seed lot is essential before any tests can be done on the seed lot. The purity, both physical and genetic, must be determined before testing. All seed should be tested for viability, that is, the germination percentage must be determined and recorded on the seed lot. Furthermore, the vigor of the seed can also be determined using a range of tests. Seed health testing is also of great importance to prevent new pathogens from entering and establishing in the country and to prevent diseases occurring in the field due to seed-borne inoculum. This book will discuss the different principles governing seed science and technology.