Agriculture and all crop husbandry begins and ends with seed. From being a mere propagule, seed has been made omnipotent by several technological revolutions that are incorporated into it. Hence, seed is the best extension specialist in promotion of agriculture.
Seed today is knowledge in itself, just like a computer microchip, it stores vast amount of information. Study of seed science skims the surface of this knowledge pool. Seed science encompasses several schools of thought viz., seed biology, dispersal, dormancy, production, processing, testing, tagging, packing, storage, distribution, marketing and legislation. An avid reader in pursuit of acquiring information about seed would find it exhaustive. Hence the book attempts to satiate the curiosity of an intrepid academic in the form of question and answer. We hope this book quenches the thirst for seed knowledge. About 1500 questions with their answers has been included in 11 chapters which will be very useful to the scientists, students and technical persons who are involved in the seed related matters. The book will also help students to update their knowledge and for those preparing for competitive examinations.
Dr. K. Raja, Assistant Professor, Seed Science and Technology is an avid reader and budding scientist. He has ten years experience in research, teaching, extension and handled several courses on seed science and technology. He did his doctorate in recalcitrant seed physiology of arecanut seed which forms genesis of the publication of a book “Recalcitrant Seed. He has published several international and national articles and currently he is researching the use of cashew nut shell liquid for controlling bruchids in the Department of Seed Science and Technology, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
Dr. K. Sivasubramaniam is scientist of many hues. He did his graduate, post graduate and doctorate in the prestigious Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. With twenty two years spent in seed production, teaching, and extension activity. He is well known in the field of seed science and has authored five books that have been well received by the peer community. He has also to his credit several schemes and research projects. Presently he is the Professor and Head of Department of Seed Science and Technology, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
Dr. R. Geetha is Associate Professor in the Department of Seed Science and Technology, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, Tamil Nadu. She has a wide range of experience spanning over 15 years. Her knowledge spreads over agricultural and horticultural crops. She has published several scientific articles and manuals for undergraduate courses. Her primary focus is on seed priming techniques.
