<div>Background: Seed is the starting point of agriculture and dictates ultimate productivity of other inputs. Quality seed of improved varieties is an important basic unit for enhancing productivity of any crop species. As the quality deteriorates during subsequent generations, the old must be replaced with fresh lots of quality seeds. The present study was an attempt to analyze the source, SRR and management of wheat seed in Amritsar district of Punjab. 
 
Methods: The current study was conducted on primary data collected from 120 farmers during the agricultural year 2019-20. The data was analyzed using simple tabular analysis and other suitable statistical techniques. 
 
Result: The study found that the most preferred source of seed was institutional sources from which 45.83 per cent of the seed was procured from these agencies. The second most preferred source was self-retained by the farmers as 43.70 per cent farmer&rsquo;s preferred self-retained seeds. Only small farmers and medium farmers procured wheat seed from fellow farmers, relatives and friends. This source was preferred by small and medium farmers as seed is available free of cost and no immediate cash payment was charged by fellow farmers or relatives. Seed replacement rate was found to be 49.94 per cent for wheat crop in Amritsar district of Punjab. The study found that minimum attention was paid at post storage of wheat seed (2.50 per cent) whereas maximum attention was paid in the field (48.83 per cent) during wheat seed production.&nbsp;The main determinants of purity and quality of wheat seed were past experience of the farmer, repute of the institution, tag of certification agency and advice of known person. Seed replacement rate (SSR) for wheat was less for small farmers in the study area which can be increased by giving incentives to farmers for using certified seeds. These incentives can be in the form of higher price of produce to the small farmers. Maximum farmers used self-retained seed foe the next season and they paid minimum attention to the storage of seed which lead to deterioration in the quality of seed. Farmers should be educated to use scientific methods in the storage of seeds.</div>

​Seed Replacement Rate and Management of Wheat Seed in Amritsar District of Punjab

<div>Background: Chickpea is a cool season legume crop and is grown in several countries worldwide as a food source. Seed is the main edible part of the plant and is a rich source of protein, carbohydrates and minerals especially for the vegetarian population. The current study aimed to study the effect of seed rate and seed spacing on yield attributes of chickpea. 
 
Methods: The research was carried out at Research Farm, Department of Agriculture, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Sadopur, Ambala during Rabi season in 2020-2021. The experiment was laid out in split plot design (SPD), with three replication and 9 treatments with two conditions i.e. three different seed rate (60, 75 and 90 kg/ha) and seed rate were design in main plot, where as in sub-plot three spacing (20, 30 and 40 cm) were tested.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The result revealed that seed rate of 75 kg/ha with row spacing of 30 cm in chickpea crop recorded maximum seed index (21.70 g), seed yield (23.26 q/ha), straw yield (26 q/ha), biological yield (49.16 q/ha) and harvest index (47%). The maximum number of pods per plant (107.63) and seeds per pod (2.13) were observed when the seed rate of 60 kg/ha and row spacing of 40 cm was used.</div>

Effect of Seed Rate and Seed Spacings on Yield Attributes of Chickpea

<div>An experiment was conducted at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during 2015 and 2016 to study the effect of priming, different seed rate on growth and seed yield of soybean planted under bed and flat method. The study was planned in factorial split plot design, keeping two planting techniques (flat sowing and bed sowing) and two seed priming treatments ( non primed seeds and 100 ppm GA3 primed seeds) in main plot and three seed levels ( 50, 62.5 and 75 kg ha-1) in sub plot. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of seed priming on growth and productivity under different planting techniques with the use of varying seed rates. The results revealed that growth attributes viz. emergence count, plant height, dry matter accumulation, leaf area index and photosynthetic active radiation interception (%) was significantly higher under bed planting technique as compared to flat sowing method. The pooled seed yield was increased by 15.6 % in bed planted soybean crop as compared to flat planted crop. &nbsp;Soybean seeds primed with 100 ppm GA3 recorded significant results in all the growth parameters. Primed seed recorded increase in yield 15.3 % than non primed seeds. Seed rate of 62.5 kg ha-1 recorded significantly higher emergence count, plant height, dry matter accumulation, leaf area index and photosynthetic active radiation interception (%) which was statistically similar in results with 75 kg ha-1 seed rate in both the two years. Pooled seed yield of 62.5 kg ha-1seed rate was 4.61 % higher than 75 kg ha-1 and 12.6 % than 50 kg ha-1 seed rate.</div>

<div>Influence of primed seed and varying seed rate on growth and productivity of soybean (Glycine max L.) under different planting techniques</div>

<div>Background: Under current scenario of High cost of Production of Sugarcane crop, it is need of time to decide specific seed rate for individual varieties. Sugarcane seed contributes to 10-20% of cost of production and farmers invests about Rs. 20000/- per acre on planting material. The costs of seed can be curtailed by optimizing seed rate. Similarly, seed rate varies with different varieties. In this view, a field experiment was carried out to optimize the seed rate of promising sugarcane clones. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was carried using randomized complete block design with factorial arrangements having three replications at Sugarcane Research Institute, Faisalabad during 2016-17 and 2017-18.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results revealed that maximum cane diameter was recorded for S2008-AUS-133 at seed rate of 25000 and 50000 triple budded setts/ha. However; maximum number of canes/ha were recorded for S2008-AUS-133 at seed rate of 75000 setts/ha followed by HSF-240 at 75000 setts/ha. Maximum cane yield was noted for HSF-240 at seed rate of 75000 followed by S2008-AUS-133 at seed rate of 50000 and lowest can yield was recorded in S2003-US-127 at seed rate of 25000 triple budded setts/ha. Genotypic and phenotypic variances were higher for plant height (381.63, 133.91 cm) and cane yield (406.50, 330.65 kg/plot).Genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variances were moderate for number of tillers (11.6%, 15.44%) and higher for cane yield (20.24%, 22.44%). It means that variability in 4 genotypes for cane yield was higher. Thus variety S2008-AUS-133 showed better performance at seed rate 75000 while during selection, number of tillers and height should be considered for further breeding program.&nbsp;</div>

<div>Optimizing Seed Rates and Effects of Direct and Indirect Selection Indices in Sugarcane Crop</div>

Background: Safflower is an oil seed crop that can form seeds in extreme conditions, so it can be used as an alternative to sunflower because their growing technologies are similar. Weeds cause significant damage to the safflower crop. The safflower crop does not tolerate chemicals used to control weeds, so the study was devoted to alternative methods of weed control in its crops, namely the effect of seeding rates on weed infestation and seed yield. The goal is optimal seeding rate and its effect on weed infestation of safflower crops. 
 
Methods: The experimental site was laid out on the right bank of the Volga River, Kamyshinsky district, Volgograd region, in a dry steppe zone of chestnut soils with a hydrothermal coefficient of 0.6-0.4. Safflower seeds were sown with three seeding rates: 25, 30, 35 kg/ha in triplicate, with row spacing of 15 cm. The experimental results were presented graphically and processed by dispersion analysis. 
 
Result: The research results showed that in the area with a sowing rate of 35 kg/ha of viable seeds there was the least weed in the safflower crops, and the seed yield was higher than in other areas with lower sowing rates. Statistical analysis determined that the seeding rate has a 51.1% effect on safflower yield.

The Influence of Seeding Rates on Crop Infestation and Safflower Yield

<div style="text-align: justify;">A field experiment was conducted for three years to study the effect of sowing dates, mulching and seed rates on nutrient uptake and productivity of soybean under irrigated conditions in sub-humid Punjab on a silty clay loam soil which was low in available N, medium in available P and available K. The experiment was conducted in a split plot design with the combination of three sowing dates and mulch in main plots and three seed rates in sub-plots with three replications on fixed site. The results revealed that sowing on June 30 and mulching recorded the highest number of pods plant-1.There was no significant influence of seed rates on yield attributes. Seed yield also remained at par under different sowing dates, mulching and seed rate treatments. Stover yield however, was significantly higher under the earlier sowing dates and mulching. &nbsp;Highest total N uptake was observed under June 30 sowing date whereas total P and K uptake was highest &nbsp;in May 20 sowing date. No significant effect of mulching was observed on total N and K uptake. &nbsp;Among seed rates maximum total N uptake was observed under 75 kg seed ha-1. The results suggest that &nbsp;soybean performed better when sown with 60 kg seed rate ha-1 on June 30 and mulched with wheat straw. &nbsp;</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Effect of sowing dates, mulching and seed rates on nutrient uptake and productivity of soybean in sub - humid Punjab, India</div>

<div>Background: Chickpea plays a greater role in national food and nutritional security and sustaining the economy of the farming community in a variety of ways. As a result of stagnated production and continuous increasing in population, the per capita availability of pulses has decreased considerably. Since very little scope exists for horizontal expansion of area, the alternative seems to be by adopting innovative agronomic practices like nipping, selection of proper seed rate and variety for a set of agro-climatic conditions to overcome from decreasing production potential. In view of above consideration, the present investigation entitled &ldquo;Response of seed rate and nipping on different chickpea (Cicer arietinum&nbsp;L.) varieties in arid irrigated western plain zone&rdquo; was carried out. 
 
Methods: The field experiment was conducted at SKRAU, Bikaner during two consecutive Rabi seasons of 2016-17 and 2017-18. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with three replications, assigning 36 treatments consisting of three varieties (GNG-1581, GNG-1958 and GNG-2171) and three seed rates (48, 64 and 80 kg/ha) as main plot treatments and four levels of nipping practice (control, nipping at 30, 45 and 60 DAS) as subplot treatments. 
 
Result: Variety GNG-1581 had significantly shorter plant stature with higher number of branches/plant (13.94), pods/plant (40.14), seeds/pod (1.78), seed yield (2142 kg/ha), whereas, variety GNG-1958 showed significantly higher plant height (52.53 cm) and straw yield (3720 kg/ha). Number of branches per plant, number of pods per plant and seed index were found significantly higher in the seed rate of 48 kg/ ha. Maximum plant population, plant height, seed yield (2111 kg/ha.), straw yield (3657 kg/ha) were recorded with the seed rate of 80 kg/ ha but on par with the seed rate of 64 kg/ha. Nipping had a significant effect on growth, yield attributes and yield of chickpea. The highest number of branches/plant (13.32), pods/plant (39.61), seed/pod (1.78), seed index (19.16 g), seed yield (2121 kg/ha) and straw yield (3695 kg/ha) were obtained when nipping was practiced at 45 DAS.&nbsp;</div>

Growth and Productivity of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Varieties as Influenced by Seed Rate and Nipping in the Irrigated Arid Western Plain Zone

<div>Background:&nbsp;In Tunisia, chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is the second major food legume. The development of chickpea production is facing several biotic constraints. Ascochyta blight (ABL) caused by Ascochyta rabiei (Pass.) Labr. is the most devastating disease and can cause complete yield losses under favorable conditions. In absence of chickpea variety totally resistance to ABL, some methods should be used to control and reduce this disease effects and help for its management. Therefore, this work was undertaken to evaluate the effect of row spacing and seed rate on ABL severity, growth and yield of chickpea.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: A split-plot design with three replicates was adopted to carry out this study during 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons. &lsquo;Beja1&rsquo; chickpea variety was sown at 40 and 60 cm row spacing and at three seed rates (80, 110 and 140 kg ha-1). ABL severity was assessed visually on a 0-9 scale and agro morphological traits were measured. Analysis of variance was used to analyze the data. Correlations between agronomic traits, row spacing, seed rate and ABL severity were investigated. 
 
Result: Results showed that most of the variation in disease severity was associated with seed rate (r=0.61). The highest ABL score severity was noted at 140 kg ha-1 rate. Over both years, wide row spacing and low seed rate reduced ABL severity. Chickpea sown under narrow row spacing (40 cm) produced higher grain yield (1014 and 1099.7 kg ha-1 for 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons, respectively). Grain yield was tending to decrease with increasing sowing rates but at a density higher than optimal, grain yields decrease. In this study, ABL disease severity reached a score of 3.7 and 4.3 in 2018 and 2019, respectively. These disease severities levels had little effect on yield.</div>

Effect of Row Spacing and Seed Rate on Ascochyta Blight Severity and Yield of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in Tunisia

Growing human population at alarming rate has forced the decline in fallow land available for grazing leading to excessive pressure on fodder production for livestock existence. Growing crops for dual purpose i.e. both grains and fodder together may be a good option for reducing this burden. Wheat may be a better option to mitigate the shortage of grains as well as fodder. Many works have been carried out in this direction considering wheat but the production has been a limitation. Among various agronomical methods, modifications of fertilizers concentrations and seed rate are very crucial which affect yield. Nitrogen is one of major components of fertilizers which plays crucial role in crop growth influencing major physiology including photosynthesis, protein synthesis, nucleic acids synthesis etc. Seed rate is directly related to canopy expansion and solar radiation interception, thereby strongly influencing the use of environmental resources by changing relative importance of intra and interplant competition for light, water and nutrients during crop development and thereby affects wheat yield. &nbsp;Looking at the importance of the issue, this review was carried out to get the information about the effect of seed rates and nitrogen levels on the forage and grain yield of dual purpose wheat genotypes for enhanced productivity.

Morphological and physiological responses of dual purpose wheat&nbsp;(Triticum aestivum L.) to nitrogen and seed rates: A review

<div>Background: Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the most important cereal crop throughout India and other parts of the world. In late sowing conditions the variety selection, seed rate and row spacing is an important factor for a better crop yield. Higher seed rate and narrow row spacing are used in late sowing as compared to normal sowing conditions. 
 
Methods: The present field experiment was conducted at the Students Research Farm, Khalsa College, Amritsar, Punjab, India during rabi season of 2020-21. A field experiment was laid out in split-plot design with replicated three times comprising four levels of seed rate viz. (100, 110, 120 and 130 kg/ha) and three-row spacing viz. (12, 15 and 18 cm) of wheat cultivar DBW 187 (Karan Vandana). 
 
Result: The result showed that the number of tiller per meter, spike length, grains per spike, test weight, grain, straw and biological yield were significantly affected by different seed rates and row spacing. The seed rate 120 kg/ha recorded significantly higher grain yield (50.47 q/ha), effective tiller per meter row length (70) and the number of grain per spike (58), whereas 130 kg/ha gave significantly higher straw yield (73.40 q/ha). The crop sown with row spacing 18 cm showed significantly higher grain yield (49.13 q/ha), straw yield (72.70 q/ha), biological yield (121.83 q/ha), effective tiller per meter row length (68), spike length (12.10 cm) and number of grain per spike (56.16).</div>

Seed Replacement Rate and Management of Wheat Seed in Amritsar District of Punjab

Effect of Seed Rate and Seed Spacings on Yield Attributes of Chickpea

Influence of primed seed and varying seed rate on growth and productivity of soybean (Glycine max L.) under different planting techniques

Optimizing Seed Rates and Effects of Direct and Indirect Selection Indices in Sugarcane Crop

The Influence of Seeding Rates on Crop Infestation and Safflower Yield

Effect of sowing dates, mulching and seed rates on nutrient uptake and productivity of soybean in sub - humid Punjab, India

Growth and Productivity of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Varieties as Influenced by Seed Rate and Nipping in the Irrigated Arid Western Plain Zone

Effect of Row Spacing and Seed Rate on Ascochyta Blight Severity and Yield of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in Tunisia

Morphological and physiological responses of dual purpose wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to nitrogen and seed rates: A review

Effect of Different Seed Rates and Row Spacing on Yield Attributes and Yield of Late Sown Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)