Go for timely management of wheat diseases to produce quality seed

摘要

The expenditure on any agricultural input may become of little use if the availability of quality seed to the farmer is not assured. Therefore, the food security of any nation depends on the use of quality seed. The International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) has documented that the seed health testing, prior to sowing, is a vital pre-requisite to maximize crop yield. Quality seed should be free from seed borne inoculums of pathogens, apart from being genetically and physically pure. The productionand supply system of breeder seed is controlled by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), whereas, foundation and certified seed can be produced and distributed by National/ State/Private seed production agencies. To maintain seed quality and purity, the Seed Act was enacted in 1966 and seed rules framed under this Act were notified in 1968. According to the Act, it is very important that the crop is guarded-off from volunteer plants, weeds, off-types, insect pests and plant diseases. At least two inspections at the time of flowering and after completion of flowering are conducted to rogue out the off-types, other crop plants and diseased plants to avoid pathogen infestation in seed. Pathogens remain viable, longer in seeds than in otherplant parts and soil. Seed borne infection of pathogens provides a focus for inoculums, which may spread to new areas through seeds and cause an epidemic under favourable conditions. Therefore, it is very important to take steps to prevent seed infectionand contamination of seed crops with pathogens, especially, at the time of flowering, seed set and harvesting. The article describes the identification and management options required for disease free seedproduction of wheat as explained below.