Q.1 What is the concept 'Hybrid seed' means and what are the advantages of it?

Ans: When the seed is formed by crossing two pure varieties of seeds then the development of hybrid variety takes place. Such hybrid seeds gives good yield and has profuse growing habit and is resistant to diseases. It also gives good yield under adverse climatic conditions. Due to the above factors the area under hybrid seed is increasing in case of crops like cotton, jowar, sunflower, bajra, chilli, Maize and tomato. Now a days farmers land holding is getting decreased due to the distribution system and on the other hand the demand for foodgrains, fruit and vegetables is increasing under such circumstances farmer can gain profit by growing hybrid variety and producing good yield of the crop to meet the demand.

Ans: It is costlier procedure to produce the seed from the hybrid variety. In case of cotton seed development, the ratio of male and female should be 1:4 for an acre of land i.e. female and male plantation should be 80% and 20% respectively. As per the traditional method the bud which is going to open next day is emasculated and for its identification plastic ring is kept on it. And next day male anthers (pollens) are allowed to pollinate. For this process 10-20 persons are required for or acre of land and it takes about 60-80 days or sometimes more than that. For acre of land around 30,000-40,000 Rs expenditure is required and is a costlier process. Per acre production of seed is about 180-300kg. Expenditure is also required to be done on its cultivation techniques, as farmers are required to show its cultivation techniques and hence the cost of hybrid variety is more.

Ans: Hybrid variety developed is also termed as F₁ seed. Which indicates the first generation developed after fertilization and F₂ seeds are developed from F₁ . It is seen from the study that F₂ generation show variation with respect to height, F₂ generation cannot with stand under adverse climatic conditions and in case of pest and disease infestation too. In case of cotton in F₂ generation infestation with bollworm is also seen more. To avoid all the above mentioned thing use of F₂ generation seed is avoided.

Q.4 What does the term improved seeds indicate and what are the quality parametres?

Ans: The quality of seed depends on its germination habit, physical and hereditory purity, percentage of moisture content etc. In case of cotton germination ability should be 65% hereditary purity should be 90% and physical purity should be 18%. Seeds fulfilling the above criteria comes under improved seed. In improved seed percentage of germination ability and hereditory purity may vary for e.g.

Q.5 To check the quality parameters in case of selection of seeds what all points should be considered?

Ans: Following points should be considered while selection of seed.

1. It should beTrue of type of seed.
2. Inspection of seed under laboratory condition is necessary. In this case the results        obtained under laboratory condition may not be similar to those obtained under       field conditions and hence it should be examined under field condition.

Ans: In different types of hybrid varieties of a single genus variation is seen. As in case of germination there is a difference of 1-2 days in its germination ability. This difference may extend to 3 days. In case of cotton H-8, J.K.H.Y-1 germinate earlier as compared to other hybrid varieties.

Ans: Following precautions should be taken while purchasing the seed:

1. While purchasing the seed always see that the seeds are purchased from              well-known and registered shop.
2. Do not purchase the seed from unknown person.
3. Always ask for the receipt after purchase and the receipt should include information related to variety's name, lot number, producers name and price etc.
4. Purchase the seed before the season of sowing and purchasing the seed at the last hour may fetch higher price, which should be avoided.
5. From the purchased seed, always take some seeds for sowing on trial basis for its germination test. As if you found that the seeds are not giving good germination you may change it.

Ans: Seed storage is an important aspect which most of the farmers neglect and to avoid that following points should be considered.

1. In majority of the cases the seeds are transported in the monsoon season. The seeds may get deteriorated due to the excess moisture and wetting. As the seeds have ability to absorb the moisture from the atmosphere. To avoid this do not store the seeds in the place where moisture content is more. If at all the seeds got wetted then do dry them in sunlight for one to two days.
2. The old stock affected with termites, ants or rats should be cleaned properly before storing the new stock.
3. Avoid the storage of seeds with chemical fertilizers and pesticides as the gases coming out of pesticides may cause harm to seeds.
4. From the study it has been found that when the seeds are stored in a godown containing turmeric or chilli it gives less viability from the point of germination which should be avoided.

Q.9 What is the difference between common hybrid variety and the hybrid variety obtained from the Pvt. Research work?

Ans: The common hybrid variety are authorized varieties and are developed by the Krishi Vidyapeeth or by research institute for e.g. hybrid varieties like H-4 or Varalakshmi, H-6, H-8, H-10, Savita N.H.H 44 and J.K.Y-1 etc. When such varieties are developed by the Pvt.Institute then they are termed as research hybrid Pvt.variety.

Q.10 In case of cotton what are the quality based parameters?

Ans: Following are the cotton quality based parameters:

1. Length of the thread:- 2.5% span is mentioned length of the thread.
2. Uniformity ratio: - 50% span length and 2.5% span is ratio with respect to length and is given in terms of percentage. Normally this uniformity ratio for long thread cotton is 47-48% while for medium and short thread cotton it is 49-50% necessary.
3. Strongness of the thread: - The strongness of the thread is measured in the gramtex unit. This parameter depend upon the cotton variety which is cultivated, it length etc and it should be 23-26 gramtex.
4. Micronnaire: - Micronnaire indicates the smoothness and thickness of the thread. Micronnaire is in between 2.5-7.0.

Q.11 Why the difference is seen in a single variety of hybrid grown under different climatic conditions?

Ans: Quality of hybrid variety of cotton depends upon the climatic condition for e.g. Good variety of cotton when is grown at some place it may show its length about 30mm. But when the same variety is grown in different areas this length may vary. Also the 2.5% span length, strongness all these parameters depends on the climatic conditions.

Q.12 What is the reason for the decline in a particular hybrid variety, which is grown from years together?

Ans: following are the reasons for the decline in a particular hybrid variety, which is grown from years together:

1. When the hybrid variety is first introduced into the market at that time its comparison is made with the variety which is under cultivation and then it is accepted for e.g. In 1970 H-4 or Varalakshmi was introduced being a first hybrid variety its impact was seen prominantly. After that JKH Y-1 was introduced giving more yield as compared to H-4 and hence its use was deprived.
2. Due to the use of single crop the fertility of the soil also decreased and is one of the reason for the declined use of hybrid variety.

Ans: To obtain good yield in case of cotton following points should be considered.

1. Use of integrated pest management should be made and excess use of pesticides should be avoided.
2. According to the soil type and soil testing application of fertilizers should be made.
3. Crop rotation should be followed by taking crops like Udid, Mung, Soyabean etc. Every year cultivating cotton on the same piece of land decreases the micronutrient in soil, which should be avoided.