Urad Seeds

Urad (Black Gram) seeds are an essential pulse crop in South Asia and other tropical regions. Producing high-quality urad seeds involves a well-structured process that ensures genetic purity, good germination rates, and resistance to pests and diseases.

Steps in Urad Seed Manufacturing

1. Selection and Breeding
  • Variety Selection:
    • Choose high-yielding, drought-resistant, and disease-resistant varieties like PU-31, T-9, LBG 20, or IPU 2-43.
  • Breeding:
    • Develop improved seeds through hybridization or mutation breeding for better yield, maturity, and pest resistance.
  • Field Testing:
    • Conduct trials to ensure adaptability to local conditions and desired characteristics.
2. Breeder Seed Production
  • Source of Breeder Seeds:
    • Obtain breeder seeds from authorized institutions like ICAR or agricultural universities.
  • Controlled Cultivation:
    • Grow breeder seeds in isolated fields to prevent contamination.
  • Monitoring and Certification:
    • Conduct rigorous inspections and maintain records for certification.
3. Foundation Seed Production
  • Multiplication of Breeder Seeds:
    • Cultivate breeder seeds under strict conditions to produce foundation seeds.
  • Field Isolation:
    • Maintain proper isolation to avoid cross-pollination and ensure genetic purity.
  • Certification:
    • Get certification for foundation seeds as per regulatory standards.
4. Certified Seed Production
  • Field Cultivation:
    • Use foundation seeds for large-scale production of certified seeds.
    • Follow recommended sowing rates and agronomic practices.
  • Field Management:
    • Regularly monitor for pests, diseases, and weeds.
    • Apply appropriate fertilizers and irrigation based on crop needs.
5. Harvesting and Processing
  • Harvesting:
    • Harvest urad when pods are fully mature and dry to ensure good seed viability.
    • Avoid harvesting during wet conditions to prevent fungal infections.
  • Threshing and Cleaning:
    • Separate seeds from pods and clean to remove impurities.
  • Drying:
    • Dry seeds to a moisture level of 10-12% to enhance storability.
  • Grading:
    • Grade seeds by size and quality using mechanical graders.
  • Seed Treatment:
    • Treat seeds with fungicides or bio-pesticides to protect them during storage and initial growth.
6. Packaging and Storage
  • Packaging:
    • Pack seeds in moisture-proof, durable bags.
    • Label bags with critical details like variety, germination percentage, batch number, and certification mark.
  • Storage:
    • Store seeds in cool, dry warehouses with controlled humidity and temperature.
    • Conduct regular inspections to check for pests or spoilage.
7. Quality Testing and Certification
  • Germination Testing:
    • Ensure germination rates are above 85% for certified seeds.
  • Purity Testing:
    • Verify genetic and physical purity.
  • Moisture Content Testing:
    • Ensure moisture content is within acceptable limits.
  • Certification:
    • Obtain certification from authorized agencies to validate the seeds for commercial use.