Seed Production Technology of Vegetable, Tuber and Spice Crops

Good quality seed is the most important component in production technology of crops. Farmers in India are aware of the importance of good quality seeds and trade liberalization has resulted in flourishing of vegetable seed industry in India. Seed production has become a lucrative business for the private sector which is evidenced from mushrooming of seed companies in India. While the public sector is by and large concentrating on the low-cost technology such as production of open pollinated varieties, private firms are after the production of F1 hybrids which ensure market protection. Tuber crops are important from food security point of view and seed tuber production of virus free potato is a challenging task. Since most of the spices are vegetatively propagated, ensuring virus free quality planting materials require knowledge and skill. Theory and practice of seed production of vegetable crops, tubers and spices need to be updated and available for all stake holders in seed industry and farm sector.