Good quality seed reduces the required seeding rate and produces strong, healthy seedlings, resulting in a more uniform crop with higher yields.
Good seed is:
Clean, free of stones, dirt, small soil clods and weed seed;
Genetically pure having grains of only one variety; and
Healthy having full big grains of the same colour with no cracks or spotting.
Good quality seed can be either bought as foundation or certified seed, or the seed produced by the farmer in his own farm.
Produce high-quality seed
Select a level field with well-maintained bunds having easy access.
Use clean, pure, true to type and healthy seed.
Do a float test on the seed before planting and remove all seeds which float.
Use good management practices by planting on time, applying fertilizer, weedicides, weeding before 21 days after establishment, and do not let weed seeds go to seed.
Rogue the fields by removing all rice plants that clearly look different during the vegetative, flowering, and grain filling stages.
Harvest at full maturity when 80–85% of the grains are straw coloured or at 20–22% moisture.
Thresh and dry quickly after harvest.
Store seed safely and label containers or bags with variety name and date of harvest.
