<p style="text-align:justify"><strong>Fundamentals of Seed Science and Technology</strong> is a comprehensive textbook crafted to provide students, researchers, and professionals with a strong theoretical foundation and practical competence in the rapidly advancing field of seed science. The book blends essential principles with hands-on learning, ensuring that readers gain both conceptual clarity and the technical expertise required for effective seed production, processing, quality control, and storage.</p> <p style="text-align:justify">The first objective of this text is to <strong>impart fundamental knowledge</strong>. Readers are introduced to the core principles of seed biology, seed physiology, and the attributes that determine seed quality and vigor. The book discusses the significance of seed technology in agriculture, causes of varietal deterioration, and the classification and production of different seed classes. It further explores seed certification systems, crop-specific seed production practices, post-harvest operations, seed drying, seed treatments, and packaging techniques. Additional chapters cover seed storage principles, the factors influencing seed longevity, and methods for maintaining seed health during storage. Legislative frameworks&mdash;including seed laws, seed certification standards, the role of seed inspectors, Seed Control Orders, and updates in seed regulatory mechanisms&mdash;are also systematically explained.</p> <p style="text-align:justify">The second objective is to <strong>cultivate practical expertise</strong>. The practical component equips learners with skills in seed sampling, seed structure identification, purity analysis, moisture testing, germination protocols, vigor assessment, viability testing, and seed health evaluation. Field-level competencies such as genetic purity testing, grow-out tests, and field inspections help learners understand real-world processes. Exposure visits to seed testing laboratories, production farms, and seed processing units further reinforce practical understanding.</p> <p style="text-align:justify">Overall, the book provides a unified, learner-friendly approach to understanding and applying the science and technology behind high-quality seed production. It empowers students and professionals to contribute effectively to efficient seed systems, enhanced crop performance, and long-term agricultural sustainability.</p>

Prof. (Dr) Aftabuz Zaman (b 27.05.1954) specializes in Agricultural Water Management for enhancing crop and water productivity as an Agronomist and formerly Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Director of Research, Head, Department of Agronomy in Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya [SAU], West Bengal, India. He is a former Chief Scientist in AICRP on Water Management (ICAR) and former Associate Director of Research, Regional Research Station, Old Alluvial Zone (Presently UBKV, Pundibari). He has coordinated, associated and involved with a post-graduate teaching programme at the university and has significant research experiences in the field of water management and in academia and well as having considerable administrative experiences in a different capacity at the various time frame. Dr. Zaman worked as Head, Irrigation Expatriate Team, Government of Uganda for a 2-year period (1994-1996) under ITEC Programme being deputed by the Government of India to design, layout and installation of famers managed small scale irrigation for sustainable crop cultivation. He was also designated as IFFCO-Chair Professor. He published more than 110 research publications and 179 publications in the proceedings of national and international seminars and conferences held in the country and abroad. He guided and supervised 7 (seven) Ph D and at least 50 (fifty) students towards postgraduate thesis work. He worked as Programme Coordinator, West Bengal Accelerated Development of Minor Irrigation Project (World Bank) from 20 September 2014 to 2nd September 2016 after superannuation from University service as on 31 May 2014. Worked as Emeritus Professor, M S Swaminathan School of Agriculture, CUTM, Paralakhemundi, Odisha from 3rd September 2016 to 31 May 2018.

Organized International Conferences in CUTM as Organizing Secretary first time in the university and introduced Post Graduate course Curriculum in Agriculture from 2017-18. Worked as Professor & Incharge, Agriculture, The Neotia University, Kolkata, West Bengal since 1st June 2018 to August 2019 wherein the agricultural course curriculum was introduced in a private University with successfully started, later on also worked as Visiting Professor and Advisor, Agriculture, TNU, Sarisa, 24 Parganas (S), West Bengal up to 30th April 2020. Presently working as Dean, School of Agricultural Sciences, Sister Nivedita University, Kolkata from 1st May 2020.

Dr. Poulomi Sen, is currently working as Assistant Professor, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, School of Agricultural Sciences, Sister Nivedita University, Action Area I, 1/2, Newtown, New Town, West Bengal, India. She pursued her doctoral degree program as a DST-INSPIRE Fellow from the department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, India. She has also worked as a JRF in BRNS-BARC project DAE-GOI. She has also qualified ICAR NET (2017) in Genetics and Plant Breeding. She has published more than 10 research papers in UGC, SCI and SCOPUS indexed journal, 2 books and several popular articles. She has participated in national and international conferences and won young scientist award in a DBT & DST-SERB (Govt. of India) sponsored international conference. Dr. Sen has worked on allele identification and marker development and validation for yield improvement in rice.

Dr. Avishek Chatterjee, a dedicated researcher with six years of experience focused on molecular plant breeding. Currently he is working as an Assistant professor in Brainware University, Barasat, West Bengal. His research background includes a PhD from BCKV, Nadia, where he assessed advanced breeding lines of bread wheat for terminal heat tolerance, employing phenomics and molecular approaches. Prior to this, Avishek spent four years as a DBT-SRF at the Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, where he worked on molecular biology and DNA replication in yeast. Avishek possesses strong research skills in molecular biology, molecular breeding and microbial biotechnology. He has published multiple research and review papers in peer reviewed journals and contributed to book chapters in the area of plant biotechnology and molecular breeding.

<p><strong>Chapter 1</strong>.Introduction to seed technology, definition and importance;&nbsp;<br /> <strong>Chapter 2</strong>.Seed quality -definition,&nbsp;<br /> <strong>Chapter 3</strong>.Characters of good quality seed;&nbsp;<br /> <strong>Chapter 4</strong>.Causes of deterioration of varietal purity and assessment of genetic purity,&nbsp;<br /> <strong>Chapter 5</strong>.Different classes of seed;&nbsp;<br /> <strong>Chapter 6.</strong>Foundation and certified seed production of important cereals, pulses and oilseed,&nbsp;<br /> <strong>Chapter 7</strong>.Field inspection, importance and procedures;&nbsp;<br /> <strong>Chapter 8</strong>.Post-harvest seed quality management;&nbsp;<br /> <strong>Chapter 9</strong>.Seed processing procedures, seed drying;&nbsp;<br /> <strong>Chapter 10</strong>.Seed treatment, its importance, method of application and seed packing;&nbsp;<br /> <strong>Chapter 11</strong>.Seed storage - general principles, stages and factors affecting seed longevity during storage;<br /> <strong>Chapter 12</strong>.Seed health management during storage;&nbsp;<br /> <strong>Chapter 13</strong>.Seed Certification and legislation;&nbsp;<br /> <strong>Chapter 14</strong>.Seed Act and Seed Act enforcement, duty and powers of seed inspector, offences and penalties;&nbsp;<br /> <strong>Chapter 15</strong>.Seeds Control Order 1983, basics of seed quality testing;&nbsp;<br /> <strong>Chapter 16.</strong>New Seed Bill 2019;&nbsp;<br /> <strong>Chapter 17</strong>.Seed quality enhancement techniques. Characters of good quality seed;&nbsp;</p>