The book provides a comprehensive and practically oriented treatment of vegetable seed science and production. Beginning with seed identification, seed structure, nursery management and crop establishment, the book progresses to floral biology, pollination, emasculation, roguing and seed-extraction techniques. It explains the principles and practices of varietal and hybrid seed production in solanaceous, cucurbitaceous, cole, root, leguminous, leafy, bulb and tuber vegetable crops. Field visits, seed-industry exposure and vegetative multiplication are also incorporated to connect theoretical knowledge with commercial practice. Multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions and descriptive questions make the book particularly useful for classroom instruction, practical courses, revision and competitive examinations. It is intended for students of agriculture and horticulture, seed technologists, researchers, extension professionals, seed entrepreneurs and individuals engaged in producing and maintaining quality vegetable seed.

Dr. Priyanka Sharma is currently working as an Assistant Professor at Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, India. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and Master’s degree in Agriculture with a specialization in Seed Science and Technology from Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat. She completed her Ph.D. in Seed Science and Technology from Uttar Banga Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Pundibari, Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India.

Dr. Sharma has qualified the ASRB–ICAR-NET and has published several research papers, review articles, and popular articles in reputed national and international journals. She is the recipient of a Senior Research Fellowship awarded by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, New Delhi. She has also contributed several book chapters related to medicinal plants.

Before joining Assam Agricultural University, she worked as an Assistant Professor at Beehive College of Management and Technology, Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Her professional interests include teaching, research, entrepreneurship development, and the production of quality seeds and planting materials of medicinal and aromatic plants, as well as other agricultural and horticultural crops. She is actively involved in organizing and conducting training programmes and workshops in these areas.

Dr. Monish Roy is currently working as an Assistant Branch Manager at Assam Seeds Corporation Limited, Guwahati. He holds a Ph.D. in Agriculture with a specialization in Seed Science and Technology from Uttar Banga Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Pundibari, Cooch Behar, West Bengal. He completed his M.Sc. in Agriculture with a specialization in Seed Science and Technology from the University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal, and obtained his B.Sc. in Agriculture from C.C.S. University, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.

Dr. Roy qualified the ICAR-NET in 2018. His research contributions include five book chapters, eight research papers, six review papers, seven popular articles, and eight abstracts published in reputed national and international journals. His publications cover various aspects of seed science, including seed production, technological advancements, and emerging trends.

He has actively participated in national and international conferences and seminars, where he has presented his research findings through poster presentations and oral talks. Dr. Roy has approximately seven years of professional experience in seed production and related fields. His expertise includes modern technologies and methodologies in seed science, with a particular focus on improving seed quality and strengthening agricultural production practices.

Chapter 1: Identification of Vegetable Seeds and Study of Seed Structure

Chapter 2: Study on Sowing and Nursery Management

Chapter 3: Nursery Management, Transplant Production and Crop Establishment

Chapter 4: Floral Biology and Pollination Mechanisms in Vegetable Crops

Chapter 5: Study of the Floral Biology of Other Vegetable Crops

Chapter 6: Modification of Sex Ratio in Cucurbits

Chapter 7: Practising Emasculation and Pollination Methods

Chapter 8: Practising Roguing Operations – Identification of Off-types – Selfed Fruits

Chapter 9: Practicing Seed Extraction Methods – Wet Methods

Chapter 10: Seed Extraction – Dry Methods (Chillies, Bhendi and Cucurbits)

Chapter 11: Visit to Seed Production Fields

Chapter 12: Visit to a Private Seed Industry

Chapter 13: Importance and Present Status of Vegetable Seed Industry – Factors Influencing Vegetable Seed Production

Chapter 14: Varietal and Hybrid Seed Production in Solanaceous Vegetable Crops

Chapter 15: Varietal and Hybrid Seed Production in Cucurbitaceous Vegetables and Bhendi – Gourds and Melons

Chapter 16: Varietal and Hybrid Seed Production in Cole Crops – Cauliflower and Cabbage

Chapter 17: Varietal and Hybrid Seed Production in Root Vegetables – Carrot and Radish

Chapter 18: Varietal Seed Production Techniques in Major Leguminous Vegetables – Peas and Beans

Chapter 19: Varietal Seed Production Techniques in Leafy Vegetables

Chapter 20: Seed Production Techniques in Bulb Crops – Onion and Garlic

Chapter 21: Seed Production Techniques in Tuber Crops – Potato and TPS Production

Chapter 22: Seed Production Techniques in Tuber Crops – Sweet Potato, Colocasia, Tapioca and Yam

Chapter 23: Vegetative and Clonal Multiplication – Methods, Merits and Demerits