FIELD INSPECTION

       Objective   

The primary objective in conducting field inspection is to verify those factors, which can cause irreversible damage to the genetic purity or seed health.  

 

Field inspection ensures necessary standards to overcome genetic and physical contamination. 

 

 The objective of field inspection is fulfilled by verifying the seed crops in the following manner.

 

1.Raised from seed whose source is approved and which satisfy the requirements specified for purity.

2.Grown on a field, which satisfies the prescribed land requirement as to previous crop(s) to prevent contamination by volunteer plants and by disease spreading pathogens.

3. Provided with required isolation and uniform planting ratios in hybrid seed production.

4.Properly rogued to remove contaminating factors such as pollen shedders, shedding tassels in maize crosses, off types, diseased plants/ears, objectionable weeds and inseparable other crop plants so as to conform to the standards prescribed for these factors.

5. True to the varietal characteristics descriptive of that variety and ensure the minimum field standards.

6.Harvested properly to avoid mechanical admixture. 

7.Grown in compliance with other Special requirements for the crop Concerned.

 

Inspection of a seed farm 

For the purpose of field inspection the entire area shown in the sowing report shall constitute one unit.  However, the inspection authority (Seed Certification Officer) can divide it into convenient units according to the crop growth, soil types etc., for easy and thorough inspection. While inspection authority dividing the field for easy and thorough inspection, additional inspection charges are not required when the total area does not exceed the total area registered.

 

Assessment of seed farm area:

 

To verify the area of the seed farm the length and breath of the seed farm shall be measured in steps and converted into meters. The details of both the numbers of steps and meters shall be recorded on the inspection report.

 

Inspection authority:  

 

The Seed Certification Officer authorised by the registering authority shall attend to routine field inspections.  If needed the Assistant Director of Seed Certification/Deputy Director of Seed Certification/ the Squad members appointed by the Director of Seed Certification shall take inspection in addition to routine inspections.

 

When to make Inspection

Field inspections are required to be carried out in the recommended / prescribed crop stages. Normally verification of all the factors affecting seed quality in the field may not be possible in a single inspection.  All the factors in the field may not be apparent or may not be capable of affecting seed quality at a particular stage of crop growth. Hence, in most crops more than one inspection, phased to cover all the important stages of the crop growth is necessary or required.  The number of inspections and the stages of crop growth at which inspection should be conducted vary from crop to crop depending on duration, nature of pollination, susceptibility to contamination, disease susceptible stage(s), nature of the contaminating agents or factors, usual seed production procedures etc.

 

Number of inspections and dates.

 

The numbers of inspections given in the Minimum Seed Certification Standards are only Minimum.  Any additional inspection at proper stage will be beneficial.  For convenience, the stages of the crop growth at which inspections are generally needed, or to be made in sexually propagated species are classified in Annexure-VI.  However, these may vary from variety to variety, season to season and from location to location.  In general, this table can be a guide for arranging inspections at the proper time.

 

The crop stages can broadly be divided into five phases. The details of crop stages and factors to be observed in crop stages are as below: 

 

1. Pre flowering stage: (Vegetative stage)  

 

The entire period preceding to flowering is obviously the pre-flowering stage.  However, for inspection this includes seedling stage, vegetative stage, flower bud initiation stage and all such growth phases before 5 per cent of panicle initiation or flower(s) have emerged.  In Graminaceous crops, this stage extends up to the time of emergence of flag leaf.    

 

2. Flowering stage:

 

In this stage, the flowers or spikelets of the inflorescence or panicle have opened, the stigma (silk in Maize) is receptive, and the anther is shedding pollen.  For inspection purpose, a seed crop with 5 percent or more of the plants in flower can be considered as in flowering stage. 

 

3. Post flowering stage:

 

In this stage, the receptivity of the stigma (silk in Maize) and the pollen shedding of the anthers, have ended and the fertilized ovule starts to develop into a seed.  This includes both milky stage, when the contents of the fertilized ovule are in the form of a white milky fluid and the dough stage, when the seed contents are being transformed into a more solid, pasty substance which yield to pressure.  

 

4.        Pre harvest stage:

 

In this phase, the seed becomes harder and reaches or approaches physiological maturity.  The seed is fully formed, but is in high moisture content, and must dry further to permit easy harvesting and threshing and for safe preprocessing storage, either with or without post-harvest drying. 

 

5.    Harvest stage:  

 

In this phase, the seed is sufficiently dry to permit safe and easy harvesting, threshing and for safe storage with some drying.  The crop is ready for harvest. 

 

In vegetatively or asexually propagated crops such as potato, stages like pre-flowering, flowering and post flowering may not be relevant.  Instead, they are classified as sprouting seedling, tuberisation, tube hardening, haulm cutting stages.  

 

In root and bulb crops, the enlarged-root or bulb formation stage precedes pre-flowering. Lifting and replanting are done before complete root / bulb formation. In these crops, inspection at lifting and replanting stage is essential. 

 

In Cauliflower, the pre-flowering stage comprises of curd formation and bolting and in knol-khol, it is knob formation and boltings and in cabbage it is head formation.  

 

The due dates for field inspection for various crops are listed in Annexure-VII.  In cross pollinated crops inspections during flowering are essential to verify genetic contamination.  In self-pollinated crops inspection during flowering may help to distinguish off-types. 

 

Inspections of cross-pollinated crops at flowering stage must be made without prior intimation to the grower.

For self pollinated crops, vegetatively propagated crops and for lifting and replanting inspection in root and bulb crops advance intimation can help to reduce the number of inspections.

 

Inspection on the same day: 

 

Inspecting the same field twice on the same day shall not be done unless the second inspection on the same day is a reinspection to confirm removal of rectifiable contaminating factor, pointed out in an earlier inspection.  But a separate supervisory, external quality control inspection can be made on the same day. At least one full night should intervene between two routine inspections of the same field.  The seed certification officer can inspect a seed farm field at any time of the day and at any stage of the crop apart from specified inspections.

Supervisory inspection is a substitute for routine inspection. 

 

Fixing field inspection dates:

Immediately after registration, the Assistant Director of Seed Certification indicates the due dates for field inspection in the sowing report itself as guidance.  However, the due dates for field inspection at flowering stage for cross pollinated crops and often cross pollinated crops shall not be noted in the producer copy of the sowing report.  A detailed list of factors, which has to be observed at the time of field inspection, is given in Annexure VI. 

 

Factors to be observed:

Factors to be verified during the field inspections vary among crops and their growth stages.  Basically inspection at different stages of crop growth serve the following specific purposes.  

 

I. Inspection during vegetative or pre flowering stage serves to:

1.     Verify by suitable enquiry and observe the land on which the seed crop is grown conforms to the prescribed land requirements. Verify that no volunteer plants of the crop under inspection are within the minimum isolation distance on any side. 

2.     Verify whether the seed crop is from an approved source.

3.     Confirm the actual acreage and compare it with the acreage given in the sowing report submitted and if found to be excess, the additional acreage under seed farm has to be noted in the inspection report, to initiate collection of additional inspection fee.  The location of the seed farm plot shall also be verified with reference to the sowing report.

4.  If the seed crop involves two different parents, verify whether the grower has followed the uniform planting ratio and border rows. and has marked each end of all male rows with peg/live indicator plants.    

5.     Verify if any contaminant occurs within the isolation distance prescribed for the crop and guide the grower in solving the isolation problems if any.   

6.     Verify the removal of off-types on      the basis of notified morphological characters.   

7.     Guide the grower in identification of pollen shedder, off-types, diseased      plants or ear heads etc. and stress the timely removal.

8.     Guide the farmer on the correct methods of detasseling in maize and roguing.  

9.     Advocate the grower to follow improved crop production techniques.  

10.     Review with the producer or his representative the standards prescribed for the seed crop at each stage of various inspections.   

 

II.  Inspection during flowering stage:  

These are generally the second and third inspections conducted on a seed crop.   During these inspections:  

1.     Ensure the seed crop is provided with sufficient isolation distance. 

2.     Confirm the observation on planting ratio, planting of border rows, roguing of off-types, detasselling in maize crosses or pollen shedders in Bajra and sorghum etc., made in previous inspection were accurate and the defects in these factors have not escaped attention in earlier Inspections.   

3.     Confirm that, whether grower has continued thorough roguing, after the inspection, during flowering      stage.

4.     Verify the removal and occurrence of off-types, pollen shedders, shedding tassels, objectionable weed plants, inseparable other crop plants, diseased plants / heads and open flowers, selfed bolls in hybrid cotton seed farms.  

5. Explain to the grower, the permissibility of removal and inspections for certain factors found in the field.

6. If the inspecting authority feels, that the contaminant crop is likely to affect the seed crop, a warning may be given to the seed producer and an additional inspection may be made to ensure isolation and purity.  

 

III.  Inspection during post flowering and pre harvesting stage:   

These are normally the third or fourth inspection and are made when the seed crop is between the seed setting and seed maturity stage.  At this stage,    

1. Confirm the correctness of observations made in earlier inspections,

2. Look for the possible occurrence of factors, which might not have been apparent at the post-flowering stage.   

3. Guide the grower on roguing, based on pods, earhead, seed and chaff characters such as colour, shape and size.  

4. Explain to the grower about reinspection and permissibility of removal of off-types and fix dates. 

5. Explain to the grower when and how to harvest the crop. Care to be taken in harvesting male rows from seed field involving two parents, the manner of thrashing, cleaning, packing and storage, transport to the processing unit etc.  

 

IV. Inspection during harvest:  

This is generally the last inspection conducted on a seed crop.  

1. Confirm the correctness of observations made in earlier inspection.

2. It is essential to verify at maturity stage that male parent rows have been harvested separately and completely and removed from the field and to seal the produce from the male row if necessary.   

3.  Verify the crop from rejected area due to inadequate isolation or poor roguing has been separately and completely harvested and removed and sealed if needed.

4. Guide the grower, on processing and handling arrangements to be made.

Important Points to be adhered while Field Inspection:

1. All inspections at the flowering stage should be made without prior notice either to grower or to the producer except for self pollinated crops.  

2. The number of inspections mentioned in seed certification procedures are the minimum and should be conducted at prescribed stages.  

3. While making observation for off types and other plant characters, reference should be made only to the morphological characters notified and communicated.  

4. The Seed Certification Officer (SCO) should ensure that he is shown by the grower or by the producer the correct seed farm.  

 

5. If the seed producer or grower is new to seed production under seed Certification, the standards and the principles and procedures of field inspection should be explained to him.  

 

6. The producer or his representative may be made to accompany during the entire field inspection. 

 

7. All the factors observed in the field, which will be recorded in the inspection report, should be shown to the producer or his representative. 

 

8. In case of tall crops and crops requiring isolation distance, before entering into the field go around its border areas and observe for any contaminant crop. 

 

9. If one third or more of self pollinated seed crop is heavily lodged taking field count is difficult or impossible, the seed crop may be recommended for rejection unless SCO is of the opinion that the crop will stand up again or recover before maturity and proper inspection can be conducted as prescribed.  

 

10. For cross pollinated seed crops and crops involving two parental lines however, if one-third or more of seed crop has lodged prior to or before flowering, and inspections during flowering are difficult, then the seed crop may be recommended for rejection without taking counts. 

 

11. If the minimum required field inspection could not be taken up at prescribed stages the seed farm can as well be rejected even without taking counts. 

 

12. Walk through the entire field while taking counts in short crops, squat or bend periodically during inspection so that eye level observations can be made at the height of the plant.  

 

13. Proceed in the field if the plant rows permit in such a way that sun is either towards your side or back. 

 

14. During inspection the principle of randomness and freedom from bias should always be observed. 

    

15. In all the inspections only the prescribed number of counts should be taken, spread over the entire field.  

 

16. If the plant population in the seed field is very low and that entire population is less than the number required for the field count, count the entire population.  

 

17. Even if by observation it is clear that the seed crop will not confirm to the required standards, it is necessary to make the required number of field counts, and determine the rates of occurrence of counted factors.   

 

18. Counting in the row and shifting from row to row should be so arranged that same plant/head is not counted twice.  

 

19. Skip the barren strips or long gaps in rows that may be encountered between steps or in counts of plants should not be considered as part of row/steps.  

 

20. Factors counted during inspections need not be pulled out.  But, if the SCO feels that it would be easier to convince the grower he can pull out the factors and show them to the grower.  

 

21. If the male and female parents in seed production involving two parents have been irregularly planted, and the seed field merely an admixture of two parents, it should be noted in the inspection report and shown as liable for rejection without taking counts.  

 

22. If the seed crop is grown as mixed or as ratoon it should be noted in the inspection report and shown as liable for rejection without taking counts.  

 

23. Warning: While the standards for the rectifiable factors of Inspection are found to be more than the permitted limit then inspecting officer (SCO) may record the fact in his inspection report and issue an warning by super scribing with “WARNING” on the top of the report.

 

Rectification to be carried out shall be noted in detail in the remarks column. Warning shall include the time limit within which the defects should be rectified 

 

24. In the inspection      report, the SCO shall record rough sketch of the seed farm indicating the adjoining crop field and permanent features with directions. The field sketch is a must in first and L.F.R. inspection reports

 

25. If the crop adjoining to seed farm within isolation distance is of the same variety then field counts should be taken in the adjacent crop within the isolation distance.   According to total area falling within the isolation distance, required number of counts are to be taken.  

 

26. Volunteer Plants: Volunteer plants are the plants, which grows spontaneously in a crop of different plants, from seed present in soil within the isolation distance.

 

To determine the purity of the seed field:

 

1.Count the actual number of volunteer plants.  

 

2.Estimate approximate heads / plants population of the seed field (by square meter method or row counting as the case may be)  

 

3.Calculate the percentage of volunteer plants.

Percentage of volunteer plants = Total number of volunteer plants within the isolation distance / Earhead or plant population of the seed farm X 100.

If the percentage of volunteer plants are more than the maximum permitted offtypes for the seed crop then the seed farm may be shown as liable for rejection citing unsatisfactory isolation. 

 

27. Isolation: Isolation is the act of keeping the seed crops away from the sources of physical and genetical contamination.  It is the distance to be maintained between the seed crop and the contaminant.  For quality seed production, it is essential to preclude natural pollination, which occurs in cross-pollinated varieties and also to prevent infection of seed borne diseases and possible chances of mechanical admixture at harvesting stage.  During inspections, one has to bear in mind about the contaminants within the prescribed isolation distance on all sides.  While doing so the following should be verified.  

 

a. Stage of the Seed crop at the inspection.  

 

b. Stage of the contaminant Crop within the isolation distance.  

 

c. Closest direct distance in meters between the seed field and the contaminant. 

 

d. Direction of location of the contaminant.

 

e. Number of male border rows (Especially in maize certified seed fields).   

f. Percentage of varietal impurity in the contaminant field if it is of the same variety but not conforming to prescribed varietal purity requirements.  

28. During inspection if the field is found L.F.R. partial or full due to inadequate isolation, field counts should be taken for the entire field.  

 

29. Down grading: If a seed field or seed lot is not found meeting prescribed standards for the class for which it has been registered but conforms to the prescribed standards to the immediate lower class, the Assistant Director of Seed Certification may accept such seed field / seed lot for certification to the immediate lower class on request by the producer.

 

30.Sealing: Seed produces / Kapas from the seed farm growers should be moved to SPU / Ginning unit after sealing and marking within the stipulated period along with the processing report (Annexure-VIII).   

 

Sealing details shall be sent to the ADSC concerned for each sealed lot. The Sealing details shall be recorded in the processing report request letter and sent to ADSCN with in three days from the date of sealing.

 

If the seed lots are sent to the SPU falling outside the jurisdiction of the concerned ADSC then the sealing details shall be sent to the respective ADSC besides sending a copy to the ADSC concerned in the form given below.

 

1. Serial number     

2. S.C. Number      

3. Kind and variety  

4. Class             

5.Date of final inspection in which yield was estimated

6. Quantity of field run seeds sealed

7. Date of sealing     

8. S.P. Unit number

 

Dated signature of SCO

 

31. Issue of Processing Report: The SCO shall issue the Processing Report to the concerned Producer or to his representative as soon as the Seed lot / Kapas is sealed after duly obtaining the request for the same in the format given in Annexure XI.

 

32. Withdrawal from certification: After registering a particular seed farm, the producer may withdraw from certification due to obvious reason at any stage.  For such a withdrawal the following procedure shall be adopted.  

 

a. Producer must give it in writing stating the reason for withdrawal, addressing to the ADSCN under intimation to SCO concerned for each S.C. No. Separately. On receipt of such request, the ADSCN has to intimate the SCO to stop further seed certification works with a copy to DDSCN. 

b. On any case, partial withdrawal is not admissible. 

c. For such withdrawal refund or adjustment of fee already remitted is not permitted. 

 

33. Assessment of selfed bolls in Hybrid cotton: While inspecting the Hybrid cotton seed production plot, observation on selfed bolls have to be recorded in addition to routine factors. Selfed bolls include bolls formed out of selfing improperly emasculated flowers and open flowers. If the selfed bolls are more than 10 % in the final inspection field has to be recommended for rejection. In the second and third flowering inspections “warning” to remove the selfed bolls has to be given if the selfed bolls standard is more than 1 %.

 

The field rejected for the reason of selfed bolls may be permitted for reinspection if offered by the producer after removing the selfed bolls. The request for reinspection shall be made within 10 days from the date of LFR report. The reinspection fee has to be collected as per the procedure.

 

34. Conditions for inter cropping: Inter-cropping will be applicable for the production of certified seed if it does not render certification work difficult.

 

35. The Seed Certification officer should necessarily attend thrashing in case of HYBRIDS AND FEMALE PARENTS of paddy & millet crops.

 

36. Cob sorting: In maize, before shelling, the cobs should be examined for off types and off-coloured kernels. 

 

Individual cobs should be examined with reference to its varietal characters.  The cobs of off-types and off-coloured kernels should be rejected.  Similarly those seeds which have been shattered before the cob-sorting inspection should be discarded.

 

The standards fixed are as follows:

 

Class                                                  Factor                                     Maximum Limit Permissible

 

Foundation                                      Off-types Off-coloured Kernels           0.2%

(Inbred line  and single cross)

 

 Certified                                         Off-types  Off-coloured Kernels         0.5%

(Hybrid)     

          

For both foundation & certified:    Off-types Off-coloured Kernels          1.0%

Composite & Open Pollinated         

Variety

 

Like other inspections, a report on cob sorting has to be prepared and submitted.  

 

37. Pod inspection: The Groundnut pod inspection should be done within 45 days from the date of final field inspection and reported in the inspection report form. During this inspection the varietal characters shall be verified. If the other variety seed is more than ONE percent by number in the Foundation class of seed lot and TWO percent by number in the certified class of seed lot, the seed lot shall be recommended for rejection.