ABSTRACT
Seed is a vital input in agriculture. The quality and genetic production capacity of seed determines the quantity as well as quality of produce, and also determines economics of production. In a crop production system, seed quality is the basic input to which other inputs are added to have desired output. It ensures other agroproduction and protection inputs to be productive and cost-effective. The management of mother crop plays pivotal role in quality of produced seed. Seed production requires specialized skills and knowhow, unlike general crop production. It involves crop and region-specific genetic as well as agronomic principles that have to be precisely practiced to achieve desired quality of seed. Seed having good quality is the basic input for enhancement of crop as well as other inputs productivity. Well planned evaluation and release of cultivars, systematic production, and supply of seed, seed testing, certification and enforcement of seed legislation, in toto, is essential to exploit the technological breakthroughs in crop production system. This chapter describes seed quality, its components, and factors governing seed quality. The genetic, agronomic, legislative mechanisms for controlling seed quality are described to have better understanding of seed production. However, the main emphasis remains on management of seed quality at preharvest as well as postharvest level.
