Pedigreed seed is genetically pure seed of a known variety, developed with

unique characteristics such as disease resistance, or with special qualities

for milling or malt markets. The term pedigreed means that the ancestry of the
seed can be traced all the way back to the plant breeder who developed it.
Pedigreed seed ensures specified germination for even emergence and
productive stands. It contains uniform seed sizes, providing consistency in
planting and crop performance. Optimum seed size encourages uniformity in the
crop and promotes seedling vigour, high yields, and low disease levels to
maintain crop health and minimal contamination from other crops or different
varieties of the same crop. Freedom from other crop seeds, noxious weeds and
other weed seeds is verified by the standards set by Federal Seed Certification
and Registration Department (FSC & RD). This is accomplished by inspection of
pedigreed seed crops by trained officers of the FSC & RD.
There are five classes of pedigreed seed: Breeder, Foundation, Registered,
Certified and Approved. Breeder is the highest class, and is produced and
maintained by the plant breeder; once this seed becomes available for
multiplication, it is distributed to seed growers. Foundation, Registered and
Approved are multiplication classes. Certified seed, the final pedigreed class, is
the seed recommended for use by the commercial farmer. There are two stages
in the production and identification of pedigreed seed. The first is the production
of a pedigreed seed crop. If all the requirements for this are met, CSGA issues a
Crop Certificate: this certifies that the crop meets the requirements for varietal
purity and crop standards, and shows the pedigreed status. The second stage is
the inspection of the seed by a licensed grader at a Registered Seed
establishment to determine its eligibility for a grade under the Canada Seeds
Act. Factors include germination, freedom from weed seeds and other crop kinds,
and general quality. If the seed qualifies for an official grade, the licensed grader
issues a label confirming the class of seed and the grade.
At each stage of pedigreed seed production, CSGA specifies the standards for
isolation distances, land use history, maximum levels of off-types, and other crop
kinds and weeds. CSGA maintains all the records of the seed crop, including
where it was grown, who grew it, what other types of plants or seeds were found
in the crop, its pedigreed status, and the destination of the seed. The Canadian
Seed Growers Association, established in 1904, is recognized by the Canadian
government as the sole seed pedigree issuing agency for all agricultural field
crops in Canada (except potatoes). CSGA recognizes seven affiliated
organizations in different regions of Canada.
The Saskatchewan Seed Growers Association (SSGA) is the affiliate recognized by
the CSGA in this province. Formed in 1928, SSGA is incorporated as a non-profit
organization, with the mandate to improve pedigreed seed production and usage
within Saskatchewan. There are about 800 pedigreed seed growers in the
province, producing an average of 425,000 acres of pedigreed seed annually.
This represents more than a third of all the pedigreed seed acreage in Canada;
nearly 40% of all the pedigreedWHEAT seed produced; more than half of all the
lentil seed; half the pedigreed FLAXacres; a third of
the CANOLA and MUSTARD seed; and nearly three-quarters of the pedigreed
pulse seed production. The pedigreed seed industry is worth an estimated $390
million annually to the economy of the province.

6.1 Breeder Seed is the original source of all classes of certified seed. It is held,
maintained, and controlled by the originating plant breeder, sponsoring plant
breeder or institution, in such a way to maintain its genetic purity and identity.
Breeder seed provides the direct source of Foundation seed.
6.2 Foundation Seed is the progeny of Breeder or Foundation seed produced
under control of the originator, sponsoring plant breeding institution, or designee
thereof. As applied to certified seed, Foundation seed is a class of certified seed
that is produced according to policies and procedures established by the CCIA for
the purpose of maintaining genetic purity and identity of a variety.
6.3 Registered Seed is the progeny of Breeder or Foundation seed. Registered
seed is produced according to established policies and procedures for the
purpose of maintaining genetic purity and identity of a variety. In some crops or
varieties there is no Registered class.
6.4 Certified seed is the progeny of Breeder, Foundation, or Registered seed.
Certified seed is produced according to policies and procedures established by
the CCIA for the purpose of maintaining genetic purity and identity of a variety.

Year -1
To develop genetically pure seed, single plants are sown individually in single rows of equal length.
The plant characteristics are carefully examined and monitored during the growth and
development period at various stages. Plant rows are then examined for assessment of uniformity
in morphologically and phonological characteristics and yield performance i.e. the plant height,
leaf, color, hairiness, shape yield characteristics and earliness in maturity etc. are monitored at this
stage. The plant row found to contain any off type plant at any growth stage is rejected as a whole.

Year -2
Progressive plots are formed from the plant to row input seed.

Year -3
BNS (Breeder Nucleus Stock) in this process of seed purification, the progenies of variety showing
uniformity are bulked. This bulk is called Breeder Nucleus stock and has 100% purity. The resulting
progeny of breeder nucleus seed is the pre basic seed.

Year -4
Pre basic seed ensures genetic purity which provides the source of the initial and recurring increase
of basic seed. Its quality is checked by the Federal Seed Certification Department in the seed lots
after harvest. For identification the bags of pre basic seed are identified with white tag having a
diagonal violet line.

Year -5
Basic seed is the first progeny of pre basic seed handed in such a way so as to maintain its specific
identity and purity. This class of seed is a source for certified seed production directly or through
registered growers. The Federal Seed Certification Department checks the field crop to determine
its suitability for further seed multiplication. Bags of basic seed are identified with white tags.

Year -6
Certified Seed is the progeny of basic seed and is produced by the registered growers selected by
the Punjab Seed Corporation. The Corporation upon clearance from the Federal Seed Certification
and Registration Department, procure the seed and caries out the cleaning and packing at their
plants. Bags of certified seed are identified with blue tags.

Four seed classes:

Breeder seed - seed directly controlled by the originating or

sponsoring plant breeding organization.

Foundation seed - the progeny of Breeder or Foundation

seed handled to maintain specific genetic purity and varietal identity.

Registered seed - the progeny of Breeder or Foundation

seed handled to maintain satisfactory genetic purity and varietal
identity.

Certified seed - the progeny of Breeder, Foundation or

Registered seed handled to maintain satisfactory genetic
purity and varietal identity.