SEED CERTIFICATION SYSTEM
Seed certification system is a legal and regulatory mechanism. It is performed by the
Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department, an attached department of
the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock. To maintain and make availability
of genetically pure seeds of improved varieties, the whole process is done at two main
stages.
1. The crop raised for the production of seed is inspected by FSC&RD for genetical
purity.
2. The seed samples are drawn after harvest of the crop and analyzed in the
laboratory for evaluation on the basis of prescribed seed standard (analytical
purity).
In addition to this, pre and post control plots are laid out to ascertain the genetic
purity of the seed and seed-borne diseases. In Pakistan, seed certification system has
four recognized categories.
1. Pre-basic seed.
2. Basic Seed.
3. Certified seed.
4. Approved seed
Crop Inspection
The purpose of crop inspection is to determine whether or not the crop is suitable for
the production of seed of the standard required. The genetic purity of seed crop is
assessed through field crop inspection. Inspection is carried out only for notified
varieties based on physio-morphology characteristics develop through DUS studies.
Before carrying out crop inspection, the following preliminaries are verified:
i) Verification of the source from the labels, seals, bags or receipt of seed purchased.
ii) Acreage and location of the seed field.
iii)Cropping history of the field where the seed crop is grown.
iv)Isolation distance of seed crops from other crops.
v) Condition and health of the crop to carry out crop inspection properly. Crop must
not be very much weedy or damaged.
vi)Application from grower or seed agency, requesting for crop inspection.
If all the above conditions are found satisfactory then a detailed assessment of the
crop is carried out to determine the following factors:
a) Admixture with other cultivars.
b) Admixture with other species.
c) Presence of weeds particularly obnoxious weed plants.
d) Presence of seed-borne diseases.
AGENCIES RESPONSIBLE FOR VARIETY DEVELOPMENT,EVALUATION AND MAINTENANCE
After the crop inspection, the grower or seed company is informed about the
decision/recommendations or other measures, necessary to bring the crop up to the
prescribed standards. At final inspection, a certificate is issued by the department on
the prescribed form.
Seed Testing
Seed testing is carried out to assess the analytical purity of seed lot. The following
steps are taken to ensure quality of seed lot.
Submission of application for sampling
Seed samples are drawn from the produce whose fields have been certified subject to
the prescribed written request by the grower. Three samples are drawn from each seed
lot by the officer of the FSC&RD according to the method as prescribed in ISTA rules
(1990). One sample is given to the respective seed testing laboratory and 2nd is
handed over to the grower or seed agency. The 3rd sample is submitted to the central
seed testing laboratory for post control check.
Requirement for seed lots to be sampled
It should be ensured before seed sampling that seed lot must be homogeneous.
Credibility of results depends on the representative samples. Number of seed samples
are drawn according to the size of seed lot.
Seed analysis
Working samples are made from the submitted samples in the laboratory. Each seed
of the working seed samples is physically examined using magnifying lens. Doubtful
seeds are further examined under stereo-microscope. Every crop seed is examined for
purity on the basis of morphological characters of particular crop variety. Seed sample
is analyzed for the assessment of the following factors.
i) Purity (pure seed).
ii) Mixture of the crop seed (other distinguishable varieties).
iii) Presence of weeds.
iv) Inert matter.
v) Seed-borne diseases.
vi) Moisture test.
vii) Thousand seed weight.
viii) Germination.
ix) Seed lots are rejected or accepted on the basis of seed standards prescribed by
the National Seed Council for individual crops.
Issuing of seed analysis certificate and temporary labels
After the seed analysis in the laboratory for the above mentioned factors, certificate of
fitness is issued by the department and temporarily labels are also issued. These labels
carry the following information printed on it:
i. Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department.
ii. Reference number.
iii. Species.
iv. Cultivar.
v. No. of bags/containers.
vi. Approximate weight of seed lots.
Seed sampling during processing and issuing of final labels and seals
All the seed lots are processed at processing plants/units by the seed agency. During
processing, seed samples are drawn and analyzed in the laboratory. After this, a
certificate is issued on the prescribed form and final labels and seals are also issued
on the spot.
Re-testing of seed lots
To assess any deterioration during storage, a re-test sample is drawn from each lot at
two months prior to its actual distribution/sale. Seed samples are analyzed for all the
factors as mentioned above. Finally, the seed agencies are allowed to offer seed lots
cleared by the FSC&RD.
CHECKING OF SEED LOT DURING MARKETING AND IMPORT OR EXPORT
To check the sale of deteriorated, inferior and low quality seed, the Federal Seed
Certification Department monitors the quality of seed during distribution and
marketing.
The department has established a system of seed testing under the Seed (Truth-inLabeling)
Rules, 1991 and also in accordance to the guidance of import policy 1999.
Seed samples are drawn from all the seed consignments and tested for their analytical
purity and germination. The label placed on the containers is verified. If the seed lot
does not match with the information given on the label, the consignment is not
allowed to sale as seed in Pakistan.
Seed certification system is a legal and regulatory mechanism. It is performed by the
Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department, an attached department of
the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock. To maintain and make availability
of genetically pure seeds of improved varieties, the whole process is done at two main
stages.
1. The crop raised for the production of seed is inspected by FSC&RD for genetical
purity.
2. The seed samples are drawn after harvest of the crop and analyzed in the
laboratory for evaluation on the basis of prescribed seed standard (analytical
purity).
In addition to this, pre and post control plots are laid out to ascertain the genetic
purity of the seed and seed-borne diseases. In Pakistan, seed certification system has
four recognized categories.
1. Pre-basic seed.
2. Basic Seed.
3. Certified seed.
4. Approved seed
Crop Inspection
The purpose of crop inspection is to determine whether or not the crop is suitable for
the production of seed of the standard required. The genetic purity of seed crop is
assessed through field crop inspection. Inspection is carried out only for notified
varieties based on physio-morphology characteristics develop through DUS studies.
Before carrying out crop inspection, the following preliminaries are verified:
i) Verification of the source from the labels, seals, bags or receipt of seed purchased.
ii) Acreage and location of the seed field.
iii)Cropping history of the field where the seed crop is grown.
iv)Isolation distance of seed crops from other crops.
v) Condition and health of the crop to carry out crop inspection properly. Crop must
not be very much weedy or damaged.
vi)Application from grower or seed agency, requesting for crop inspection.
If all the above conditions are found satisfactory then a detailed assessment of the
crop is carried out to determine the following factors:
a) Admixture with other cultivars.
b) Admixture with other species.
c) Presence of weeds particularly obnoxious weed plants.
d) Presence of seed-borne diseases.
AGENCIES RESPONSIBLE FOR VARIETY DEVELOPMENT,EVALUATION AND MAINTENANCE
After the crop inspection, the grower or seed company is informed about the
decision/recommendations or other measures, necessary to bring the crop up to the
prescribed standards. At final inspection, a certificate is issued by the department on
the prescribed form.
Seed Testing
Seed testing is carried out to assess the analytical purity of seed lot. The following
steps are taken to ensure quality of seed lot.
Submission of application for sampling
Seed samples are drawn from the produce whose fields have been certified subject to
the prescribed written request by the grower. Three samples are drawn from each seed
lot by the officer of the FSC&RD according to the method as prescribed in ISTA rules
(1990). One sample is given to the respective seed testing laboratory and 2nd is
handed over to the grower or seed agency. The 3rd sample is submitted to the central
seed testing laboratory for post control check.
Requirement for seed lots to be sampled
It should be ensured before seed sampling that seed lot must be homogeneous.
Credibility of results depends on the representative samples. Number of seed samples
are drawn according to the size of seed lot.
Seed analysis
Working samples are made from the submitted samples in the laboratory. Each seed
of the working seed samples is physically examined using magnifying lens. Doubtful
seeds are further examined under stereo-microscope. Every crop seed is examined for
purity on the basis of morphological characters of particular crop variety. Seed sample
is analyzed for the assessment of the following factors.
i) Purity (pure seed).
ii) Mixture of the crop seed (other distinguishable varieties).
iii) Presence of weeds.
iv) Inert matter.
v) Seed-borne diseases.
vi) Moisture test.
vii) Thousand seed weight.
viii) Germination.
ix) Seed lots are rejected or accepted on the basis of seed standards prescribed by
the National Seed Council for individual crops.
Issuing of seed analysis certificate and temporary labels
After the seed analysis in the laboratory for the above mentioned factors, certificate of
fitness is issued by the department and temporarily labels are also issued. These labels
carry the following information printed on it:
i. Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department.
ii. Reference number.
iii. Species.
iv. Cultivar.
v. No. of bags/containers.
vi. Approximate weight of seed lots.
Seed sampling during processing and issuing of final labels and seals
All the seed lots are processed at processing plants/units by the seed agency. During
processing, seed samples are drawn and analyzed in the laboratory. After this, a
certificate is issued on the prescribed form and final labels and seals are also issued
on the spot.
Re-testing of seed lots
To assess any deterioration during storage, a re-test sample is drawn from each lot at
two months prior to its actual distribution/sale. Seed samples are analyzed for all the
factors as mentioned above. Finally, the seed agencies are allowed to offer seed lots
cleared by the FSC&RD.
CHECKING OF SEED LOT DURING MARKETING AND IMPORT OR EXPORT
To check the sale of deteriorated, inferior and low quality seed, the Federal Seed
Certification Department monitors the quality of seed during distribution and
marketing.
The department has established a system of seed testing under the Seed (Truth-inLabeling)
Rules, 1991 and also in accordance to the guidance of import policy 1999.
Seed samples are drawn from all the seed consignments and tested for their analytical
purity and germination. The label placed on the containers is verified. If the seed lot
does not match with the information given on the label, the consignment is not
allowed to sale as seed in Pakistan.
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