A Text Book on Vegetable Seed Production

A Text Book on Vegetable

Seed Production

Editors:
Nityamanjari Mishra
Kaushik Kumar Panigrahi
Arghya Mani

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About the Authors

Dr. Nityamanjari Mishra (Date of Birth: 15. 08. 1986) is

presently working as Junior Scientist (Horticulture) in
Regional Research and Technology Transfer Station, Odisha
University of Agriculture and Technology, Keonjhar,
Odisha. She has completed her MSc (Horticulture) and Ph.D.
in vegetable Science from OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
during the year 2009 and 2014 respectively. She has published about 35
research papers in different National Journals and International Journals,
25 numbers of popular articles in regional journals and Scientific magazines,
5 booklets in regional language (Odiya) and four book chapters and one
book till date. She has attended many National and International
seminars/symposiums and delivered 20 numbers of oral and poster
presentations. She is member in many scientific societies. She has also
acted as associated editor in E-Planet (A multi-disciplinary International
Journal of Ecology, Environment, Agriculture and Allied Sciences) and a
reviewer in International Journal of Agriculture Sciences and Editor in
Chief in Agriculture and food: e-Newsletter. She has got the best young
Scientist award for the year 2016 from International Journal of Tropical
Agriculture at New Delhi n 26th June 2016 and Honorable Jury Mention
Young Scientist Award in 6th Academic Brilliance award ceremony-2018
on 28th January 2018 at Noida, New Delhi.

Dr. Kaushik Kumar Panigrahi is working as an Assistant

Professor (Plant Breeding & Genetics) in Odisha University
of Agriculture & Technology (OUAT). He has completed
his B.Sc. (Agriculture) from OUAT, M.Sc. (Ag) in Plant
Breeding & Genetics from Bidhan Chandra Krishi
Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal and Ph.D. (Agriculture) with
specialization in Plant Breeding & Genetics from OUAT. He was recipient
of the University Merit Scholarship during his M.Sc. (Ag) at BCKVV,
West Bengal. He was awarded with ICAR-Senior Research Fellowship
(SRF)in the discipline of Plant Breeding. He has also qualified NET-2012
and NET-2014 (National Eligibility Test) conducted by Indian Council of
Agricultural Research (ICAR) in the discipline of Genetics and Plant
Breeding.He has published more than 35 research publications in several
national international journals of repute and has written one book and
three numbers of practical manuals for undergraduate students. He has
more than six years of experience in teaching, research and extension
v
About the Authors / vi

activities. His specialized area of research is conventional and molecular

breeding for yield and stress resistance in pulses & vegetables. As a young
researcher, he has visited International Rice Research Institute, Philippines,
and Israel for better research accomplishments.

Mr. Arghya Mani is working as a Assistant Professor in

Institute of Agricultural Science, SAGE University, Indore.
He has completed B.Sc. Horticulture and M.Sc. Pomology
and Post-Harvest Technology in the year 2015 and 2017
respectively. He has qualified ICAR-NET in Fruit Science.
He has attended 12 national & international conferences/seminars/
symposium, 3 workshops, 3 training programs. He has industrial training
exposure in “Overseas Agro-product Pvt. Ltd”. As 1st author he have got
1 book, 20 popular articles, 15 research papers, 15 book chapters, 8 review
papers published at both national and international level. Beside that he
has successfully represented NGOs to disseminate knowledge related to
horticulture technology and food processing at farmer’s level. He has
attended several webinars and online courses. He has organized and
coordinated some seminars and webinars as well. He is editor in reputed
journals like “Dysona – Applied Science Journal”, “Dysona – Life Science
Journal” and “e-Planet journal”. He is reviewer of “Journal of Agricultural
and bio-chemical Sciences”, “International Journal of Agricultural
Sciences”, “International Journal of Agricultural Marketing”. He is
advisory board member of “Cambridge Scholar Publishing”. He got
awarded with “Certificate of Merit” for his academic excellence during his
bachelor degree. Beside that he has been awarded with “Best Oral
presentation” three times in different events. He has also been awarded
“Young Professional Award” twice in different seminars. He got awarded
“Young Scientist Award” by SIRI society as well. He got honored with
“Outstanding Horticulturist Award” by ‘GreenAgri Professional Society’.
He was felicitated with “Gold Medal” for ‘Best Master Degree Thesis’
during 6th convocation of Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya. At present,
he is doing research on diverse aspects related to minor and underutilized
fruits. He is actively involved in research to ensure doubling of farmers’
income by innovative processing technology.
 Directorate of Research,
Dr. K.C. Barik Odisha University of Agriculture
Dean of Research
and Technology, Bhubaneswar,
Odisha

FOREWORD

With the changing scenario of food and nutritional securities, the

consumption of vegetables has attained tremendous importance. To meet
the ever-increasing demand of Indian population, production and
productivity of vegetables has to be increased manifolds. Due to increasing
pressure on land through urbanization and industrialization, it is not
feasible to increase the area under vegetables commensurate to our
requirements, hence the preciousness of vegetable seeds becomes much
more significant as quality seeds has witnessed tremendous growth in
vegetable production and productivity. However, the availability of
quality seeds in time and at affordable price is still a matter of great
concern.
In this context, the effort in bringing out a book entitled “Fundamentals
& concepts in vegetable seed production” is highly praiseworthy. The
systematic arrangement of the chapters is the finest part of the book. All
the aspects of seed production have been covered lucidly and I hope it
will be definitely helpful for researchers, teachers, students, vegetable
seed growers, & extension personnel. It is my pleasure to congratulate
the editor and all the contributing authors for bringing out the book on
an emerging issue.

(K.C. Barik)

vii
 Faculty of Agricultural Sciences,
Dr. Premananda Mahapatra Institute of Agricultural
Dean, PG Studies
Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (Deemed to be)
Institute of Agricultural Sciences
University
Sciences Bhubaneswar-751030

FOREWORD
Now-a-days there is progressive increase in production of vegetable crops
in India during the last few decades due to the availability of quality
seed material at the door step of the farmers. With the changing scenario
of food and nutritional securities, the consumption of vegetables has
attained tremendous importance. Expanding areas under vegetable
cultivation under different agro-climatic condition with available
manpower lead to create titanic scope for developing the vegetables seed
industry in India. To meet the ever increasing demand of Indian population,
production and productivity of vegetables has to be increased manifolds.
Due to increasing pressure on land through urbanization and
industrialization, it is not feasible to increase the area under vegetables
commensurate to our requirements which may not increase the production
of vegetables. Hence, the preciousness of high quality vegetable seeds
becomes much more significant than it has ever been to increase the yield
per unit area.Although use of quality seeds of improved varieties of
different vegetable crops has witnessed tremendous growth in vegetable
production and productivity, however, the availability of quality seeds
in time and at affordable price is still a matter of great concern. Hence, it
is imperative to enhance our vegetable seed production.
The compilation of different aspects of seed production of vegetable crops
in the book entitled “Fundamentals & concepts in vegetable seed
production” is highly informative. I believe that this book is useful for
researchers, teachers, students, vegetable seed growers, & extension
personnel for their future reference. In order to create interest among
the reader this book prepared in simple & lucid manner.

Signature
ix
Acknowledgement

Books are incomplete without author’s acknowledgement. The first

and foremost thanks goes to all the contributors of the book who are
from pioneer agricultural Universities of India. This book wouldn’t have
been possible without the co-operation of the authors of all the book
chapters of the book. I am really thankful for their sincere effort, quality
writing and timely submission of the book chapters helped me a lot for
timely publication of this book with minimum corrections.
I feel inadequacy of words to express my profound indebtedness
and deep sense of gratitude to my Teachers Dr. P.K. Mahapatra, Dean
PG, IAS, SOA University, Dr. A.K. Pattnaik, HOD, Dept. Of Horticulture,
IAS, SOA University Dr. H.N. Mishra, Professor, Dept. of Horticulture,
IAS, SOA university and Dr. G.S.Sahu, HoD, Dept. of Vegetable Science,
OUAT for their kind co-operation, help and guidance.
I gratefully acknowledge my sincere thanks and gratitude to Dr. A.D.
Munshi, Principal Scientist, Dept. Vegetable science, IARI, New Delhi and
Dr. K.C. Barik, Dean of Research, OUAT for their technical support and
guidance for preparation of this manuscript.
Additionally, my special thanks to Dr. Kausik Kumar Panigrahi and
Mr. Arghya Mani, my co-authors and co-editors for their support and
extended help throughout the journey from spreading of call for book
chapter, assigning the chapters, editing of book to final publication of
this book. I also want to thanks our publisher for trusting our capabilities,
accepting our content and publishing our book.
Above all, a special thanks to the almighty God without grace of
whom, this publication.

xi
Preface

Nowadays the major concern of developing countries like India is to

overcome hidden hunger and malnutrition. In this context production of
vegetable has got significant improvement over the past. Among different
factors, using superior quality seed is one of the most important factors
to get quality produce and increasing the productivity too. Certain
agronomic as well as genetic principles have to be taken care of for the
production of quality vegetable seeds. However, a few books on vegetable
seed production are available but have scattered information.
Keeping all these in mind the manuscript “Fundamentals and
concepts in vegetable seed production”has been prepared as a reference
for all concerned with basic vegetable seed production technologies
principles for produce and maintaining quality vegetable seeds, improved
varieties of vegetables, Integrated disease and pest management for
vegetable seed production, controlling diseases and pests during storage,
production of hybrid seeds of vegetables, seed certification policies, etc.
The appendix given at the end carries vast information on different aspects
of vegetable seeds in short tabular form. The main purpose of the book is
to acquaint those who are interested in vegetable seed production- with
the facts and principles of successful production. Humble effort has been
made to ensure that the information collected from various sources such
as individuals, institutions, organizations, reviews and research
publications are accurate.
However, we have put our best efforts in preparing this book, but if
any error or whatsoever has been skipped out, by core from our heart
we will welcome the suggestions of the readers in making the book further
more informative. We hope that this book will be extremely useful for
the students, teachers, researchers, seed companies and vegetable seed
producers.

Authors

xiii
List of Contributor

S. No. Chapter Name of the contributors

1 Principles of Vegetable 1
Sujata Das and 2Dr.Nityamanjari Mishra
Seed Production 1
Department of Plant breeding and Genetics,
2
Department of vegetable science, Odisha
University of Agriculture & Technology,
Bhubaneswar
2 Modes of Reproduction Dr. Kaushik Kumar Panigrahi Department of
& Pollination Plant breeding & Genetics, Odisha University
Mechanisms in of Agriculture & Technology, Bhubaneswar,
Vegetables Odisha
3 Seed Production Debmala Mukherjee and Subhrajyoti
Technology of Tomato Chatterjee Department of Vegetable Science,
BCKV, Mohanpur, Nadia, Pin- 741252
4 Seed Production 1
Sasmita Behera and 2 Dr. H.N. Mishra 1 Junior
Technology of Brinjal Scientist (Hort) 1AICRP on Agroforestry,
OUAT, Bhubaneswar. 2Professor, Dept. of
Horticulture, IAS, SOA University,
Bhubaneswar.
5 Seed Production Saheb Pal1, Solanki Bal2 and Geddi Purna
Technology of Chilli Dattha Reddy3 1Division of Vegetable Science,
and Capsicum ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute,
New Delhi, India (Outreach Campus: ICAR-
Indian Institute of Horticultural Research,
Bengaluru, India) 2Department of Vegetable
Science, Faculty of Horticulture, Bidhan
Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur,
Nadia, West Bengal, India 3Department of
Vegetable Science, Dr YSR Horticultural
University, Venkataramannagudem, Andhra
Pradesh, India.
6 Seed Production Anjan Das and Saurabh Singh Division of
Technology of Okra Vegetable Science, ICAR-Indian Agricultural
Research Institute, New Delhi-110012
7 Seed Production Prateek Singh * , Diksha Mishra, Prachi
Technology of Cabbage Pattnaik, Anand Kumar Singh, B. K. Singh
and A. K. Pal

xv
List of Contributor / xvi

Department of Horticulture, Institute of

Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu
University, Varanasi
8 Seed Production Sanket Kumar1 and Mohammad Arshad
Technology of Nadeem2 1Department of Vegetable Science,
Cauliflower Faculty of Horticulture, Bidhan Chandra Krishi
Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia, West
Bengal, India 2 Senior Research Fellow, Indian
Institute of Vegetable Science- ICAR, Varanasi,
U.P.
9 Seed Production Riman Saha Chowdhury1, Suchand Datta2
Technique of Minor and Arpita Kundu3 1,2Department of Vegetable
Cole Crops and Spice Crops, UBKV 3Department of
Vegetable Science, BCKV
10 Seed Production 1
Dr. Nityamanjari Mishra and 2Arghya Mani1
in Carrot Department of Vegetable science, OUAT,
Bhubaneswar 2Department of Postharvest
Technology, BCKV, Mohanpur, Nadia
11 Seed Production in Beet 1 Dr. Nityamanjari Mishra and 2Arghya Mani
1
Departmeny of Vegetable science, OUAT,
Bhubaneswar 2Department of Postharvest
Technology, BCKV, Mohanpur, Nadia
12 Seed Production 1
Dr. Nityamanjari Mishra and 2Arghya Mani
of Radish 1
Department of Vegetable science, OUAT,
Bhubaneswar 2Department of Postharvest
Technology, BCKV, Mohanpur, Nadia
13 Seed Production 1
Dr. Nityamanjari Mishra and 2Arghya Mani
in Turnip 1
Department of Vegetable science, OUAT,
Bhubaneswar 2Department of Postharvest
Technology, BCKV, Mohanpur, Nadia
14 Seed Production Ravi Kiran Thirumdasu1, GantaKoteswara
Technology of Pumpkin Rao1, Ranjit Pamirelli2 and Puttapalli Raja
Sekhar3 1 College of Horticulture, Venkatara
mannagudem, Dr. YSRHU, Andhra Pradesh,
India 2 College of Horticulture, Chiplima,
OUAT, Odisha, India 3Krishi Vigyan Kendra,
Pandirimamidi, Dr. YSRHU, Andhra Pradesh,
India.
15 Seed Production Aradhana Sen & Sushmita Subba Department
Technology of of Vegetable and Spice Crops, Uttar Banga
Cucumber Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari,
Coochbehar, 736165- WB
16 Seed Production Sindhu V1, Safal Rai2, Ram Krishna Sarkar3
Technology of Melons and Eggadi Ramesh4 Department of Vegetable
 List of Contributor / xvii

and Gourds and Spice Crops, Faculty of Horticulture, Uttar

Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari,
Coochbehar, West Bengal- 736165
17 Seed Production Solanki Bal1 and Saheb Pal2 1Department of
Technology of Onion Vegetable Science, Faculty of Horticulture,
BCKV, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal
2
Division of Vegetable Crops, ICAR-IIHR
(Outreach campus of ICAR-Indian
Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi)
Hesaraghatta Lake Post, Bengaluru, Karnataka,
India
18 Seed Production Solanki Bal1 and Saheb Pal2 1Department of
Technology of Garlic Vegetable Science, Faculty of Horticulture,
BCKV, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal
2
Division of Vegetable Crops, ICAR-IIHR
(Outreach campus of ICAR-Indian
Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi)
Hesaraghatta Lake Post, Bengaluru, Karnataka,
India
19 Seed Production Dr. Nityamanjari Mishra and Dr. H.N.
Technology of Potato Mishra 1 Department of Vegetable Science,
Odisha University of Agriculture &
Technology, Bhubaneswar 2 Professor, Dept.
of Horticulture, IAS, SOA University,
Bhubaneswar
20 Seed Production Subhrajyoti Chatterjee * and Debmala
Technology of Mukherjee Department of Vegetable Science,
Leguminous Vegetable Bidhan Chandra KrishiViswavidyalaya,
Crops Mohanpur, Nadia- 741252, West Bengal
21 Seed Production Solanki Bal1 and Saheb Pal2 1Department of
Technology of Leafy Vegetable Science, Faculty of Horticulture,
Vegetables BCKV, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal
2
Division of Vegetable Crops, ICAR-IIHR
(Outreach campus of ICAR-Indian
Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi)
Hesaraghatta Lake Post, Bengaluru, Karnataka,
India
22 Integrated Disease Susmita Jha1, M Ranjana Devi2 1Dept. of Plant
Management in Pathology, Uttar BangaKrishiViswavidyalaya,
Vegetable Seed Pundibari, Cooch Behar, West Bengal
Production 2
Assistant Professor cum Junior Scientist, Dept.
of Plant Pathology TMAC, Godda, BAU,
Ranchi, Jharkhand
List of Contributor / xviii

23 Integrated Pest K. Elango1, P. Arunkumar1, B.R. Jayanthi Mala2

Management in D. Ramesh kumar 3 and R.Suryaraj 1
Vegetable Seed 1
Department of Agricultural Entomology, Tamil
Production Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore - 641
003, Tamil Nadu, India. 2 Division of Crop
Protection, ICAR-Indian Institute of
Horticultural Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka,
India3 Department of Vegetable Sciences, Tamil
Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore - 641
003, Tamil Nadu, India.
24 Disease And Pest Debanjana Debanth 1, Snehasish Routray 2
Management of Asst. prof. Faculty of Agriculture, Sri Sri
Vegetables Seeds university, Cuttack. Odisha.
After Harvesting
25 Postharvest Processing Venkata Satish Kuchi1, V.S.S.V.Prasanna2,
of Vegetable Seeds Jannila Praveena3, Arghya Mani 4 1Department
of Horticulture, MS Swaminathan School of
Agriculture, Centurion University of
Technology and Management, R Sitapur,
Gajapati, Odisha– 761211, India 2Department
of Fruit science, Dr. YSR Horticultural
University, Venkataramannagudem, West
Godavari, Andhra Pradesh- 534101, India
3
Department of Fruit science and Horticulture
Technology, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha-
751003, India 4Department of Postharvest
Technology, BCKV, Mohanpur, Nadia
26 General Seed Dr. Kaushik Kumar Panigrahi & Dr. Ayesha
Certification Standards Mohanty Orissa University of Agriculture and
Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
27 Important Varieties & Supriya, B.V Assistant professor, College of
Hybrids of Horticulture, Kolar, UHS, Bagalkote.
Vegetable Crops
28 Appendix Dr. Nityamanjari Mishra, Dr. Kaushik Kumar
Panigrahi and Dr. Ayesha Mohanty Orissa
University of Agriculture and Technology,
Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Contents

About the Authors ......................................................................................... v

Foreword - Dr. K.C. Barik .......................................................................... vii
Foreword - Dr. Premananda Mahapatra ................................................... ix
Acknowlegement ........................................................................................... xi
Preface ......................................................................................................... xiii
List of Contributors ..................................................................................... xv

1. Principles of Vegetable Seed Production .........................................

Sujata Das and Nityamanjari Mishra
2. Modes of Reproduction & Pollination
Mechanisms in Vegetables .................................................................
Kaushik Kumar Panigrahi
3. Seed Production Technology of Tomato .........................................
Debmala Mukherjee and Subhrajyoti Chatterjee
4. Seed Production Technology of Brinjal ...........................................
Sasmita Behera and Dr. H.N. Mishra
5. Seed Production Technology of Chilli and Capsicum ..................
Saheb Pal, Solanki Bal and Geddipurnadattha Reddy
6. Seed Productiontechnology of Okra ................................................
Anjan Das and Saurabh Singh
7. Seed Production Technology of Cabbage .......................................
Prateek Singh, Diksha Mishra, Prachipattnaik,
Anand Kumar Singh, B.K. Singh and A.K. Pal
8. Seed Production Technology of Cauliflower..................................
Sanket Kumar and Mohammad Arshad Nadeem
9. Seed Production Technique of Minor Cole Crops .........................
Rimansaha Chowdhury, Suchand Datta and Arpita Kundu

xix
Content / xx

10. Seed Production in Carrot .................................................................

Nityamanjari Mishra and Arghya Mani
11. Seed Production in Beet .....................................................................
Nityamanjari Mishra and Arghya Mani
12. Seed Production of Radish .................................................................
Nityamanjari Mishra and Arghya Mani
13. Seed Production in Turnip.................................................................
Nityamanjari Mishra and Arghya Mani
14. Seed Production Technology of Pumpkin ......................................
Ravi Kiran Thirumdasu, Gantakoteswara Rao,
Ranjitpamirelli and Puttapalli Raja Sekhar
15. Seed Production Technology of Cucumber ....................................
Aradhana Sen and Sushmita Subba
16. Seed Production Technology of Melons and Gourds ...................
Sindhu V., Safal Rai, Ram Krishna Sarkar and Eggadi Ramesh
17. Seed Production Technology of Onion ............................................
Solanki Bal and Saheb Pal
18. Seed Production Technology of Garlic ............................................
Solanki Bal and Saheb Pal
19. Seed Production Technology of Potato ...........................................
Nityamanjari Mishra and Dr. H.N. Mishra
20. Seed Production Technology of Leguminous
Vegetable Crops ...................................................................................
Subhrajyoti Chatterjee and Debmala Mukherjee
21 Seed Production Technology of Leafy Vegetables .........................
Solanki Bal and Saheb Pal
22 Integrated Disease Management in Vegetable Crops ...................
Susmitajha and M. Ranjana Devi
 Content / xxi

23 Integrated Pest Management in Vegetables ...................................

K. Elango, P. Arunkumar, B.R. Jayanthi Mala,
D. Ramesh Kumar and R.Surya raj
24. Disease and Pest Management of Vegetables
Seeds After Harvesting .......................................................................
Debanjana Debnath and Snehasish Routray
25. Postharvest Processing of Vegetable Seeds .....................................
Venkata Satish Kuchi, V.S.S.V. Prasanna, Jannila Praveena, Arghya Mani
26. General Seed Certification Standards .............................................
Kaushik Kumar Panigrahi and Ayesha Mohanty
27. Important Varieties and Hybrids of Vegetable Crops ..................
Supriya, B.V.
28. Appendix ..............................................................................................
Nityamanjari Mishra, Kaushik Kumar Panigrahi and Ayesha Mohanty
About the Book

The book Fundamentals and concepts in vegetable seed production edited

by Nityamanjari Mishra, Kausik Kumar Panigrahi and Arghya Mani has
been written for the benefit of all those who are interested in refreshing
their knowledge and understanding about detail valuable information of
basics of vegetable seed production. This book is designed to frame the
scattered information from various sources and the personal research
experience of the authors. The details not only explain scientific facts
about the vegetable seed production but also includes valuable practical
tips for the common man who wants to produce vegetable seeds on
commercial scale. This book will act as a guide to the students, teachers,
researchers, seed companies and vegetable seed producers for successful
vegetable seed production.
Chapter 11

Seed Production in Beet

Nityamanjari Mishra1& Arghya Mani2
1
Junior Scientist (Horticulture), RRTTS (OUAT), Keonjhar
2
Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal

1. Introduction
Beet root is indigenous to Asia Minor and Europe. They were first
used for food about the third century AD although they had been
grown for thousands of years for medicinal purposes. The beetroot is
a true biennial, producing thickened root and a rosette of leaves during
the first year and flowers and seeds in the second years. It is also known
as garden beet or table beet or red beet. Beet roots are mainly grown
for their fleshy swollen roots but the leaves can also be eaten like
spinach.

2. Climate requirement
Beet root is a cool weather crop that is hardy and tolerates some
freezing. It grows best in spring and autumn. Excessively hot weather
causes the appearance of alternating light and dark red concentric
circles in the root known as zoning. Prolong periods of low
temperatures during winter can induce bolting. Beet root seeds
germinate at soil temperature from 4.5 to 300 C with optimum being
18-240 C. Seeds of beet root are produced in hills (1200 metres and
above mean sea level) (Agrawal, 1994). Beet root needs a lot of water
for fast growth. The volume needed could vary from 2mm on a cold
winter day to 8 mm on a hot summer day.

3. Soil Requirement
Beet root does the best in deep; well drained; loose, loamy to sandy
soils. Heavy clay soils or soils which crust after rain or irrigation may
cause establishment problems and the production of misshapen roots.
218 A Text Book on Vegetable Seed Production

Beet roots prefers soil pH of 5.8-7.0, but can also tolerate a pH upto
7.6. Acid soils are likely to create nutrient deficiency problems and
should be avoided or limed to raise he pH. The land to be used for seed
production shall be free of volunteer plants (Agrawal, 1994).

4. Biology
The beet (Beta vulgaris L., 2n=2x= 18) belongs to the family
Chenopodiaceae. It is normally a biennial species, however under
certain conditions it can act as an annual (Smith, 1987). It develops a
large succulent taproot in the first year and a seed stalk the second
year. For seed production, however, an overwintering period of cold
temperatures of 4 - 7°C (vernalization) is required for the root to bolt
in the next growing season and for the reproductive stage to be initiated
(Smith, 1987). It has a long, paniculate, more or less open spike 50-150
cm long (Singh et al., 2004). The flowers are small, sessile and occur
singly or in clusters. Sugar beets produce a perfect flower consisting of
a tricarpellate pistil surrounded by five stamens and a perianth of five
narrow sepals. Petals are absent and each flower is subtended by a
slender green bract (Smith, 1987).
Flowers reach anthesis about 5 to 6 weeks after the initiation of
reproductive development. Anthesis continues for a period of several
weeks. After dehiscence of the mature anthers the globular pollen is
transmitted largely by wind and occasionally by insects (George, 2009).
It is allogamous and anemophilous. Anthesis starts at 7 a.m. and
continue upto 5 p.m. but peak hours are from 11 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.
Anther dehiscence begins at 8.00 a.m. and continues up to 6.30 p.m.,
however the peak period is from 12.30 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. depending
upon temperature and humidity. High temperature and low humidity
favours anthesis (Bhardwaj et al., 2006).
The ovary forms a fruit which is embedded in the base of the
leathery and incurved perianth of the flower. Each fruit contains a
single seed whose shape varies from round to kidney-shaped. The
ovaries are enclosed by the common receptacle of the flower cluster
(Duke, 1983). A monogerm seed is formed when a flower occurs singly.
The multigerm beet seed is formed by an aggregation of two or more
flowers (Cooke and Scott, 1993). The seed is lenticular, 2-3 mm, with
a red brown shiny seed coat. The seed contains an annular embryo
and opious perisperm (feeding tissue). A gram of beet ball counts about
50 seeds, which viability may retain for 5-6 years under ordinary
storage condition (Sadhu and Sarkar, 2003).
Seed Production in Beet 219

5. Isolation Distance
Maintaining adequate isolation distances to prevent cross-
pollination by crops of the same species is crucial to preserving seed
variety integrity. Required isolation distances vary by species, crop
type and even variety. It is generally accepted that pollen of Beta vulgaris
is wind borne over relatively long distances and sufficient isolation
should therefore be ensured.
Seed fields must be isolated from fields of other varieties and the
same variety not conforming to varietal purity requirements of seed
certification and other Beta species (Swiss chard, Spinach beet, Sugar
beet or stock beet) at least by 5 metres at mother root production stage
and by 1600m and 1000 m for foundation seed class and certified seed
class respectively at seed production stage.
When seed of high genetic quality is required, or pollen
contamination is suspected, the discard strip technique can be used
(Dark, 1971). Although this technique was developed for sugar beet
seed production, the same principles apply with other wind-pollinated
B. vulgaris types.

6. Methods of Seed Production

The “seed to seed” and “root to seed” methods are two basic
methods of seed production for beet root. The “seed to seed” system is
normally used for commercial seed multiplication or the final stage of
seed multiplication while “root to seed” system is used for nucleus or
basic seed production and also preferred in some areas for the final
multiplication. This method allows for inspection and roguing of roots.

6.1. Seed to Seed Method

In this method sowing is normally done late compared to root to
seed method, as the plants remain in the field throughout the winter;
therefore this method is not suitable for the areas where there is a
problem of severe winter and frost. The actual sowing date depends
on local climatic conditions, but generally, August-September is the
main sowing time in the northern hemisphere. The sowing rate is
approximately 12 kg/ha, which produces sufficient stecklings to plant
4 ha.The seed should be sown at 60 cm distance between the rows
and 30 cm distance between the plants should be maintained by
thinning. Alternatively, sowing can also be carried out in a four-row
220 A Text Book on Vegetable Seed Production

bed system with 25-30 cm between the rows in a bed of 110cm width.
Sowing rates are adjusted according to seed type to give an optimum
plant density in the beds of 200 plants per square metre (Bhardwaj et
al., 2006 and George, 2009).
The seed to seed method does not allow the mature root characters
to be observed. The main roguing in this method is done at lifting and
replanting, although plants that bolt prematurely can be removed
before lifting. At lifting roguing is done to discard plants showing
incorrect leaf shape and/or color, premature bolting, incorrect root
shape, seed borne pathogens etc., and same process is repeated at
replanting so as to avoid escapes.
The stecklings can be transplanted in the early spring, but late
autumn transplanting is adopted where there is a problem of soil being
wet as in some Mediterranean areas and also dry temperate areas in
India.
The optimum size of transplant is approximately 2.5- 2.75 cm
(weighing from 40 to 45g). Although the trimming of transplants
facilitates the operation, especially the long-rooted cultivars, the swollen
tap root must not be cut. The planting distances are 60 cm between
the rows and 45-60 cm within the rows. In drier areas the transplants
are frequently irrigated until established.

6.2. Root to Seed Method

This system is done in two stages. The first stage is very similar to
the production of beet for market and the second is seed production.

6. 2.1 Season One

A. Raising of Roots
1. Preparation of Land:The land is prepared to a fine tilth by
ploughing and 3-4 harrowing followed by levelling.
2. Time of sowing: The best time is from 15th July to the end of
July. Late varieties can be sown from the last week of June.
3. Seed rate: 5-7 kg seeds per ha is sufficient for raising stecklings.
4. Source of Seed: Nucleus/breeders/foundation seed should
be obtained from source approved by a certification agency.
5. Method of sowing: The seed crop should be sown on ridges.
The usual ridge spacing is kept at 45 cm and between plant
Seed Production in Beet 221

to plant 10 cm. One seed ball produces two to four seedlings.

Thinning it to one seedling is essential even when the seed is
sown thinly.
6. Manuring: 15-20 tonnes of well-rotten FYM per ha should be
applied and mixed into the soil thorogly before sowing. 40-
50 kg phosphorus and potash per ha should be applied at
the time of sowing. After first weeding 75-100 kg of
ammonium sulphate per ha should be applied as top dressing.
7. Irrigation: Irrigation should be applied as required at eight to
ten days interval.
8. Interculture: Frequent weeding and hoeing is necessary. One
earthing up by end of September or early October, will be
desirable.
9. Plant protection: Beet leaf minors can be controlled by
spraying malathion. Other insects that may attack are beetles
and beet web worms. Leaf spot diseases are quite common.
Repeated sprays of any cupper fungicide would help control
the disease. For control of Rhizoctonia solani brassicol @ 15-20
kg/ha should be applied.
B. Roguing: Before cutting tops for lifting/uprooting: the standing
crop is examined for foliage characters in the field. All plants
showing difference in leaf colour are discarded. In variety
Crimson Globe the leaf characters are marked by maroon shades
over dark green back-ground. Plants having light background of
light green foliage exhibit corresponding light colour of skin as
well as of flesh with distinct zoning in certain cases. In variety
“Detroit Dark Red”, the leaves are dark purple coloured. During
Lifting, the root which are not true to type should be discarded.
Shape, size, crown, base and surface corkiness should be taken
into considerartion(George,2009).
C. Harvesting of roots: During November-December the mature root
are dug out. The lifting and subsequent root handling becomes
easier if the plants are topped before lifting and care is taken
that crown is not damaged during topping or lifting.
D. Selection of Roots for transplanting: Thorough selection of roots
is necessary. As certain carefully the leaf and skin colour and
also shape and size of roots. For examining the interior, cut their
222 A Text Book on Vegetable Seed Production

1/4th or 1/3rd portion. The roots having uniform and rich flesh
colour with distinct rings should be selected. Also reject diseased
or malformed roots.
E. Root storage: The two basic systems for storage of roots are either
in suitable buildings or storage in the field in clamps or pits.
Although, the most beet root seed producers have developed
suitable shed systems, but field storage is still used in some areas.
i) Storage in buildings/Protected structures: The main
advantage of storing the roots in buildings is that the air
temperature can usually be controlled when necessary, thus
avoiding over-heating and frost damage. The optimum
temperature for storage of beetroot is 4-50 C and the optimum
relative humidity (RH) is between 80-90%, although very few
seed producers have sufficient facilities to control the RH. A
stacked tray or crate system is very suitable and can be
coordinated with field operations at lifting and planting times.
Where possible, the boxes of selected roots are air dried under
cover before being stacked in the store.
ii) Field storage: There are several versions of field storage, which
include clamps and pits. The selected roots are arranged in
pyramids or ridges on well-drained sites etc. The roots are
stacked 60-200 cm above ground level in both these versions.
The piles of roots are covered with straw, which is held in
position by a covering of loose soil. A wooden plank/
polythene sheets should be placed on the pit to exclude the
rain and to give some frost protection. The wooden plank
must have a hole on one corner where in plastic pipe or straw
funnel or chimneys can be erected from aeration point of
view so as to reduce the risk of condensation.

6.2.2 Season Two

A. Planting of selected roots: after selection, the tap root and the
taproot and the top of the roots are trimmed taking care not to
injure the crown, and replanted in a well-prepared field. Planting
of whole roots is advantageous.
B. Brief cultural Practices:
1. Preparation of land: Same as described for the previous
season.
Seed Production in Beet 223

2. Time of transplanting: November-December

3. Method of transplanting: The trimmed roots as described
earlier are transplanted the field at a distance of 60 cm x 60
cm or 60 cm x 45 cm depending upon the variety. The roots
must be set upright with their crowns at finished soil level.
The soil is firmed and tapped around the roots at the time of
transplanting. Some growers plant the roots into a relatively
loose soil and pass a roller over the field after planting in
order to firm the soil around the roots. This reduces drying
out and is claimed to assist the early establishment of new
fibrous roots. Soon after transplanting roots, the field must
be irrigated otherwise roots may not establish properly.
4. Manuring: 20 tonnes of well-rotted FMY should be applied
per hectare. 50-300 kg superphosphate and 100-150 kg
muriate of potash should be applied at the time of last
preparation of field. Surface application of 250-300 kg of
ammonium sulphate er hectare should be applied during
April-May after hoeing and earthing.
5. Irrigation: First irrigation should given just after
transplanting. Subsiquently, irrigation should be done eight
to ten days interval.
6. Interculture and plant protection: Same as done in first year
C. Roguing: Roots showing storage diseases should be discarded
before replanting. Seed stalk elongation in beet starts early in
April, the first flower opens in May only. The crop is in full bloom
from 15th May to 15th June. One roguing during this period should
be done to remove early bolters, off type plants and diseased
plants.
D. Harvesting, Threshing and cleaning of seeds: The crop ripens in
July. The rains during july are usually very heavy and the seeds
gets affected to some extent. The late harvested crop gives dark
coloured seeds. The maturity is also delayed. When the summers
are hot, harvesting may start as early as last week of June but
usually it is done from first week of July to last week of July. The
ripening of beet is not uniform.
The harvesting of beet seed commences when the fruits at the
bases of inflorescent side shoots mature. By this stage the fruits have
turned from green to brown. An additional check is to cut transversely
224 A Text Book on Vegetable Seed Production

a sample of ripe fruits. Unripe fruits are milky when cut and ripe
fruits are mealy. Seeds ripen successively from the bases of the side
shoots to the terminal point. Care is needed o determine the optimum
time or cutting because the immature seeds shrivel if cut too early,
and if cut too late seeds are lost as a result of shattering.
When 70-80 percent of seed balls on a plant get hardened and
those at the base of shoots turn brown, the crop should be harvested
or else there can be a considerable loss by way of shattering of the
seed. The crop is then stacked for curing and drying in the sun. After
drying, the material is threshed by a stationary thresher or a combine.
The dry straw of beetroot seed is extremely brittle, and it is therefore
important to use a relatively cylinder speed and air blast. Concave
openings must be wide in order to avoid producing too many small
pieces of straw as it is difficult to separate these off afterwards. There
is relatively little chaff from beetroot materials. The final separation of
beetroot seeds from the small pieces of plant debris is done on a gravity
separator.
E. Seed Yield: A satisfactory yield of beetroot seed in most areas of
the world is approximately 1000 kg/ha.

References
1. Agrawal R L (2008), Seed Technology (2 nd edn.). Oxford & IBH
Publishing co. Pvt. Ltd.
2. Bhardwaj A K, Kumar D K, Singh R K, Singh Nempal V and Bhaedwaj
(2006). Vegetable Seed Production Technology, IBDC Publisher.
3. Cooke D A and Scott R K.1993. The sugar beet crop. Chapman &
Hall, Publishers. 675pp.
4. Dark SOS (1971) Experiments on the cross-pollination of sugar beet
in the field. Journal of National Institute of Agricultural Botany
12:242–266.
5. George, Raymond A T (2009). Vegetable seed production (3rd edn.).
CABI Publishing, Wallford, Oxon OX 10 8DE, UK.
6. Sadhu M K and Sarkar K. 2003. Beet. Vegetable Crops, vol. 2 (3rd
edn, pp. 97-114.(Eds) Bose T K, Kabir J, Maity T K, Parthasarathy V
A and Som M G. Naya Udyog 206 Bidhan Sarani, Kolkata 700006,
India.
Seed Production in Beet 225

7. Smith, Gary A. 1987. Sugar beet: Principles of cultivar Development

Fehr, W.R. (ed). Mac Millan Publishing Company, pp. 577-625.
8. Duke J A. 1983. Hand book of Energy Crops: Beta vulgaris L. Http:/
/www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Beta_vulgaris.
html. www.hort.vt.edu/Welbaum/seedproduction/beets.html.

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