Question

The process of seed conditioning includes -
(A) Application of fungicides and insecticides
(B) Increasing moisture content of seed by 2-3%
(C) Upgrading - eliminating poor quality seed
(D) Separation of contaminants
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. (B), (C) and (D) only.
• B. (A) and (B) only.
• C. (C) and (D) only.
• D. (A), (C) and (D) only.

Hint:

Remember that seed viability requires low-moisture storage to keep the seed dormant. Any step that suggests adding water to stored seeds is incorrect and can be ruled out.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Seed conditioning (or seed processing) is the series of post-harvest operations prepared to clean, size, treat, and package seeds to maintain high germination viability and purity before planting.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze each of the stated practices:

(A) Application of fungicides and insecticides: Treating seeds with protective chemicals is the final stage of seed conditioning. This chemical treatment protects the planted seeds from soil-borne pathogens and insect pests during germination. Thus, (A) is included.

(B) Increasing moisture content of seed by 2-3%: High moisture content accelerates respiration, mold growth, and insect infestation, which destroys seed viability. During conditioning, seeds are dried to safe storage levels (usually below 12% moisture content), and adding moisture would be counterproductive. Thus, (B) is not included.

(C) Upgrading - eliminating poor quality seed: Upgrading uses specialized machines (such as gravity tables and color sorters) to remove damaged, shriveled, insect-bitten, or low-density seeds, which improves the overall germination percentage of the seed batch. Thus, (C) is included.

(D) Separation of contaminants: This is the first and most critical step of seed conditioning. It uses air-screen cleaners, disc separators, and spiral separators to remove inert matter (soil, stems), weed seeds, and seeds of other crops. Thus, (D) is included.
Therefore, seed conditioning includes (A), (C), and (D).

Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct option is (D), representing (A), (C), and (D) only.