The primary objective in conducting field inspections is to confirm that seed produced from a crop grown for seed purpose of the designated variety has not been contaminated generally and or physically beyond certain specified limits.

The objective of the field inspection is fulfilled by verifying that the seed crop is :-

•     Raised from seed whose source is approved.

•     Grown on a field area, which satisfies the prescribed land requirements as to       previous  crop (s), to prevent contamination by volunteer plants and disease spread by pathogens.

•     Provided with the prescribed isolation and or with the prescribed number of border rows in  hybrid seed production.

•     Planted in the prescribed ratios of female (seed) and seed (pollinator) parents in the case of hybrid seed production.

•      Properly rouged to remove contaminating factors such as pollen shedders in bajra and   sorghum, shedding tassels in maize, crosses, off types, diseased plants/ears, objectionable weeds, and inseparable other crop plants so as to confirm to the standards prescribed for these factors.

•      True to the varietal characteristics descriptive of that variety.

•      Harvested properly to avoid mechanical admixture.

•      Grown in compliance with other special requirements for the crop concerned.

           Verification of all factors affecting seed quality in the field may not normally be possible in a single inspection, since all factors in the field may not be apparent or may not occur at the same time, or all of them may not be capable of affecting seed quality at a particular stage of crop growth. Hence more then one inspection, phased to cover all the important stages of crop growth is required in most crops. The number of inspection and the stages of crop growth at which they should be conducted vary from crop to crop, depending on the crops duration, nature of pollination, susceptibility to contamination, disease susceptible stage(s), nature of the contaminating factor(s) etc.      

        The number of inspections is prescribed in the minimum seed certification standards. they should be conducted for different crops. The number of inspections given is only the minimum; any additional inspection will be beneficial. For convenience, the stages of crop growth at which inspections are generally made are classified as follows:

        The entire period preceding flowering is obviously the pre-flowering stage, However, for inspections, this includes seeding stage, vegetative stage, flower bud initiation stage, and all such growth phases prior to emergence of the panicle or inflorescence.

       In this phase, the flowers or spike lets of the inflorescence or panicle have opened. For inspection a seed crop with 50 % or more of the plants in flower can be considered as in the flowering stage.

       In this stage, the fertilized ovule starts to develop into a seed. This includes both the milk stage and the dough stage, when the seed contents are being transformed into more solid substance.

     In this phase, the seed becomes to its size and reaches or approaches physiological maturity. The seed is fully formed, but is high in moisture content and must dry further to permit easy harvesting, threshing and for safe pre-processing storage, either with or without post- harvest drying.

    In this phase, the seed is has reached field maturity and is sufficiently dry to permit safe and easy harvesting and threshing and with some drying can be fit for relatively safe storage. The crop is ready for harvest.

•      In cross-pollinated crops, inspections during flowering are essential to verify freedom from genetic contamination. in self-pollinated crops, inspections during flowering may help in distinguishing off types.

•      If inspections of loose-smut-susceptible wheat's and cross-pollinated crops in flowering stage are to be most effective, they must be made without prior intimation to the seed grower. With the self-pollinated crops (except loose-smut susceptible wheat's), advance intimation helps to reduce the number of inspection required, so advance intimation could be made. Advance intimation is helpful before re-inspections are made to confirm removal of contaminating factors for which removal is allowed.               

•      Inspection of the same seed field twice on the same day should not be done unless the second inspection on the same day is a re-inspection to confirm removal of rectifiable contaminating factors pointed out in the earlier inspection. However, a separate supervisory, inspection can be made on the same day.

        Seed crop meeting field standards for certification shall be harvested, threshed and transported to the seed processing plant in accordance with the guide lines issued by the certification agency during these operations, seed producer will take all precautions to safeguard the seed from admixture and other causes of seed deterioration.

        Seed processing means cleaning, grading, drying, treating and other operations, which will improve the quality of seeds. Seed from fields, which conformed to the standards of certification at field stage, shall, as soon as possible after the harvest will be brought at processing plant for processing. The screen aperture size specified by Govt. of India for different crops, shall be used for cleaning and grading of seeds so that typical contaminants such as weed seeds, small sees damaged seeds, broken and shriveled seeds, straw, chaff, leaves, twigs, stones, soil particles etc. are removed. However, the certification agency is authorized to deviate under exigencies to use the screen of small aperture size then specified. In such cases the certification agency shall record the reasons for reduction in the aperture size of the screen.   Processed seed shall not have seed of size lower then the bottom screen used beyond 5.0 % (by weight).

        Soon after completion of the seed processing the certification Agency shall draw a representative sample as per specified procedure. The seed-testing laboratory shall analyses the seed samples and delivers the seed testing report.

        On receipt of seed analysis report and the results of the grow out test wherever prescribed, and if seed lot has met prescribed standards, the Certification agency shall ensure packing, tagging and sealing and issuance of certificate expeditiously. An authorized official of the certification agency shall endorse the signature on the reverse of each certification tag and shall affix rubber stamp indicating    the official's name and designation. Containers to be used for packing of the certified   seeds shall be durable and free from defects.

        The validity period shall be nine months from the date of test at the time of initial certification. The validity period could be further extended for six months provided on re-testing seed conforms to the prescribed standards in respect of physical purity, germination and insect damage for all seeds except vegetatively propagating material for which lot shall be re-examined for seed standards specified for respective crop. A seed lot will be eligible for extension of the validity period as long as it conforms to the prescribed standards.