The quality of seeds used in agricultural production plays an important role in productivity, disease resistance and final product quality. For this reason, certified seeds are used to certify the quality and reliability of the seed. So, what is certified seed and how is it produced? This article will provide detailed information on the definition, characteristics, production process and advantages of certified seeds.

What is Certified Seed?

Certified seeds are seeds that are produced and certified according to specific standards and quality control processes. These seeds are grown and certified in accordance with standards set by various agricultural organizations or the government. Certified seeds provide farmers and the agricultural sector with a reliable source of seed, offering various agricultural advantages. Certified seed, which is authorized for sale by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs after all kinds of trials and examinations, is called certified seed.

Everyone who is engaged in agriculture aims to get the highest benefit from a certain area.

For this purpose, he plows the field where he grows his product, fertilizers, medicines, that is, whatever is necessary for his product to be abundant, he fulfills within his means. But even if you do all this, if the dough is not good, the result will not be as expected.

What is the dough in the hand? In the old days, in order to obtain a crop, every year some seed from the previous year's crop was allocated and used. When the available seed showed deterioration, either another variety was switched or a new seed was sought. Now, the problem is easier to solve. Buying certified seed produced and sold under the control of the Ministry of Agriculture. So what are the benefits of this certified seed.

· Variety purity is complete in certified seed. Since there are no foreign substances and foreign seeds in it, you get the product you have sown.

· Certified seeds have a high germination (emergence) ability. In other words, every seed you throw into the field germinates. In this way, it shows a strong development, which reduces the cost of seed by providing up to 25% yield increase and savings in the amount of seed to be planted per decare in some plants and provides profit to the producer.

· The seed in question has been improved. Therefore, its ability to benefit from soil moisture and plant nutrients (fertilizer) is higher than uncertified seeds.

· Since all sown seeds emerge on the same days (uniform emergence), there are no fluctuations and gaps in the field, and therefore no crop loss.

· All plants develop in the same period, so the benefits of maintenance, hoeing, irrigation and spraying are fully realized. This saves time and money for the producer.

· Since ripening occurs at the same time in all plants, harvesting is easier.

· Since the variety characteristics are known, the exact planting time can be set. When the variety characteristics are known, the application (maintenance, irrigation, etc.) program to be followed during the development of the crop can be determined more easily.

· Since the resulting products have the same characteristics and quality, their market value is high, which makes them easier to sell.

· Since its yield ability is higher than other seeds, it provides higher profit.

· Since these seeds are sprayed protectively against some diseases present in the soil and some seed-borne diseases, losses are at a minimum level, and there is no need to use more seeds in sowing, thus saving money.

· Supported by the Ministry of Agriculture. Our farmers who use certified seeds receive support payments according to the amount of seed used if they have it determined with their invoices that they use certified seeds.

· Where can we obtain certified seed, the benefits of which are listed above? In our country, certified seed is distributed through Seed Dealers and Cooperatives. Increasing yields and popularizing the use of certified seed, which has many other benefits, is a way to use our fields more efficiently.

Characteristics of Certified Seeds

Some important characteristics of certified seeds are as follows:

Genetic Purity: Certified seeds undergo rigorous quality control processes that ensure that a particular plant variety is genetically pure. This minimizes the possibility of unwanted plant species or traits.

Quality Control: Certified seeds are produced and certified in accordance with established quality standards. These standards include the seed's germination ability, disease resistance and other important characteristics.

Disease and Pest Free: Certified seeds tend to be free of disease and pest organisms. This ensures healthy germination and growth of the seeds.

Production Monitoring and Certification: Certified seed production is supported by established monitoring and certification processes. These processes ensure that the production stages of the seeds are tracked and verified.

Certified Seed Production Process

Certified seed production consists of a series of steps involving rigorous quality control processes. In general, the certified seed production process includes the following steps:

Rootstock Selection: It is important to select suitable rootstock plants for certified seed production. These plants must have the desired genetic characteristics and quality standards.

Field Preparation: The fields where the seeds will be sown need to be properly prepared. Soil analysis can be done and appropriate fertilization applications are carried out.

Sowing and Cultivation: Seeds obtained from selected rootstock plants are sown and cultivated with determined agricultural practices. In this process, appropriate irrigation, fertilization and pest control are ensured.

Harvesting and Processing: After the plants mature, the seeds are harvested and processed. Cleaning, drying and packaging of the seeds are carried out at this stage.

Quality Control and Certification: Harvested seeds are subjected to quality control processes and certified. In this process, the germination ability, disease resistance and genetic purity of the seeds are checked.

Advantages of Certified Seeds

The use of certified seeds provides several advantages to farmers and the agricultural sector.

· High Productivity: Certified seeds ensure high productivity and final product quality.

· Disease Resistance: Good quality and healthy seeds make plants more resistant to diseases.

· Reliability Certified seeds are reliable because they are produced in accordance with established quality standards.

· Commercial Value: Certified seeds are preferred for the production of commercial agricultural products.