Seed Production and Testing Technology is a comprehensive practical manual developed to impart hands-on skills essential for seed quality evaluation, scientific seed handling, and systematic seed production practices. Designed as a Skill Enhancement Course (SEC) for undergraduate students of agricultural sciences, the book emphasizes experiential learning by replacing traditional lectures with structured laboratory and field-based exercises. It serves as a bridge between theoretical understanding and real-world application, preparing students for professional roles in the seed industry, research institutions, quality control laboratories, and agricultural extension services.

The book covers a broad spectrum of practical competencies required in modern seed technology. Beginning with foundational seed viability and vigor tests—such as standard germination, tetrazolium staining, accelerated aging, electrical conductivity, and vigor index calculation—it equips students to evaluate the physiological potential of seeds with accuracy. Modules on physical and genetic purity, moisture determination, and dormancy-breaking techniques ensure learners gain proficiency in assessing overall seed quality and performance.

Practical sessions further extend into seed handling and production practices, including seed collection, post-harvest management, cleaning, grading, packaging, labeling, and storage. Students also learn essential field-level skills such as isolation distance calculation, pollination control (bagging and emasculation), and identification of the optimum time for seed harvest. Attention is given to seed treatment, seed-borne disease detection, and seed rate estimation—skills crucial for sustainable agricultural production.

Advanced topics such as molecular marker-based purity assessment, digital data management systems, and seedling emergence behavior under varied soil conditions provide exposure to emerging technologies in seed science. Each experiment is presented with clear objectives, step-by-step procedures, and guidelines for recording observations, ensuring clarity and ease of execution.

By integrating traditional methodologies with technological advancements, this book empowers learners with practical expertise, analytical thinking, and problem-solving abilities. It aims to build a strong skill foundation that will help students excel in academic pursuits and contribute effectively to the development of a robust and high-quality seed sector.

Professor (Dr.) A. Zaman, Ph D in Agronomy, the esteemed author of this book, is an internationally recognized scientist with 40 years of profound experience in agricultural water management. His ground-breaking and original research in fields such as irrigation water management, rainfed agriculture, cropping systems, watershed management, dry land agriculture, and biodiversity conservation has garnered global appreciation and established him as an outstanding teacher within farm universities worldwide. Dr. Zaman is credited with developing a wealth of original concepts, strategies, techniques, and tools that have profoundly contributed to agricultural science and benefited global society.

Born May 27, 1954, is a distinguished Agronomist specializing in Agricultural Water Management for enhancing crop and water productivity. His extensive career spans influential leadership roles at Bidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (BCKV) and Uttar Banga Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (UBKV) in West Bengal, India. He has notably served as Dean, Faculty of Agriculture; Director of Research; Head of the Department of Agronomy; and Chief Scientist in AICRP on Water Management (ICAR). With significant research experience in water management, a background in post-graduate teaching, and considerable administrative acumen, 

Since May 2020, Prof. Zaman has served as the Dean of the School of Agricultural Sciences at Sister Nivedita University, Kolkata. His extensive professional journey includes pivotal roles as Founder In-charge of Agriculture at The Neotia University (June 2018 to 2020), Emeritus Professor in Agriculture at M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management (September 2016 – May 2018), and Programme Coordinator for the World Bank-funded West Bengal Accelerated Development of Minor Irrigation Project (September 2014 – August 2016).

Prior to these roles, Dr. Zaman gained invaluable international experience as Head of the Irrigation Expatriate Team for the Government of Uganda (1994-1996) under an ITEC Programme. In this capacity, he was instrumental in designing, laying out, and installing farmer-managed small-scale irrigation systems for sustainable crop cultivation. His vast academic contributions include authorship of 10 textbooks in agriculture, several book chapters, over 150 peer-reviewed research papers, and 179 publications in national and international seminar and conference proceedings. Furthermore, he has significantly shaped future researchers, having guided 7 Ph.D. candidates and supervised over 50 postgraduate thesis works.

Dr. Md. Hedayetullah, Ph.D., born on 30th April 1982, is a respected expert in agricultural science and the co-author of this book.  He is currently an Assistant Professor/Scientist (Department of Agronomy) and Officer-In-Charge of the ICAR’s All India Coordinated Research Project on Chickpea at Bidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (BCKV), Mohanpur, West Bengal.

Dr. Hedayetullah holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Hons.) from H.N.B. Garhwal University, Uttarakhand, and a Master of Science in Agronomy from Palli Siksha Bhavana, Institute of Agriculture, Visva Bharati University, Sriniketan, West Bengal. He earned his Ph.D. in Agronomy from Bidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Mohanpur, West Bengal. He was a recipient of the prestigious Maulana Azad National Fellowship awarded by the University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi, and received multiple fellowships from various funding agencies to support his research throughout his academic career. He was the recipient of Young Scientist and Eminent Scientist award. Dr. Hedayetullah brings a wealth of practical and academic experience to this foundation course. His background includes roles as Agronomist at NABARD and Assistant Professor at the M.S. Swaminathan Institute of Agriculture Science and the College of Agriculture, Tripura, giving him a comprehensive understanding of agricultural challenges and solutions.

A prolific contributor to agricultural literature, Dr. Hedayetullah has authored or co-authored 10 books, 50 research papers, and numerous book chapters, covering a wide array of topics crucial for aspiring agriculturists. He guided 7 students for post- graduate degrees and supervising 4 research students for doctor of philosophy in Agronomy. He has served as Principal Investigator for five ad-hoc projects and as Co-Principal Investigator for several notable initiatives. These include the ICAR-IIPR sponsored project “Creation of Seed Hubs for Increasing Indigenous Production of Pulses in India” and the ICARDA-supported project “Enhancing Pulses Production for Food and Nutritional Security, Improved Livelihoods, and Sustainable Agriculture in West Bengal,” both ongoing at Bidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Mohanpur, since 2017. His involvement as Principal Investigator in various research. His expertise makes him an ideal guide for students embarking on their agricultural journey.

Chapter 1.Seed Viability Test Using Germination Method 
Chapter 2.Tetrazolium Test for Seed Viability Assessment 
Chapter 3.Standard Germination Test for Different Crop Seeds 
Chapter 4.Seed Purity Analysis (Physical Purity Test) 
Chapter 5.Seed Purity Analysis (Genetic Purity Test) 
Chapter 6.Moisture Content Determination Using Oven Method 
Chapter 7.Seedling Vigor Index Calculation 
Chapter 8.Accelerated Aging Test to Assess Seed Vigor 
Chapter 9.Electrical Conductivity Test for Seed Vigor 
Chapter 10.Seed Dormancy Breaking Techniques (e.g., scarification, stratification) 
Chapter 11.Seed Collection and Post-Harvest Handling Procedures 
Chapter 12.Seed Cleaning and Grading Using Sieves 
Chapter 13.Seed Packaging and Labeling Practices 
Chapter 14.Seed Storage Conditions and Monitoring 
Chapter 15.Isolation Distance Calculation for Seed Production 
Chapter 16.Pollination Control Methods (bagging, emasculation) 
Chapter 17.Seed Harvest Timing and Methods 
Chapter 18.Seed Treatment with Fungicides or Insecticides 
Chapter 19.Testing for Seed-borne Diseases 
Chapter 20.Estimation of Seed Rate for Different Crops 
Chapter 21.Preparation of Seed Production Plots 
Chapter 22.Monitoring and Recording Field Seed Production Data 
Chapter 23.Use of Digital Tools for Seed Testing Data Management 
Chapter 24.Molecular Marker-Based Seed Purity Testing 
Chapter 25.Seedling Emergence Studies Under Different Soil Conditions 
Chapter 26.Effect of Storage Duration on Seed Viability 
Chapter 27.Assessment of Seed Vigor Using Accelerated Aging and Conductivity Tests 
Chapter 28.Comparative Study of Different Seed Treatments 
Chapter 29.Effect of Environmental Factors on Seed Germination 
Chapter 30.Documentation and Reporting of Seed Testing Results