Foundation Seed Service (FSS) operates as a link in the seed-increase program between the public plant breeder and the commercial seedsmen or private breeder. Quality planting seed is one of the most important ingredients in crop production. The FSS, as a unit of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station (TAES), works cooperatively with plant breeders who develop new crop varieties, and facilitates the transfer of genetic improvements to seedsmen. FSS takes the small amount of seed available from researchers and multiplies it - while maintaining close supervision and quality control - to an amount that may be distributed for further increase and commercial distribution.

From a small beginning in 1951 with corn seed-stocks, the Service now produces more than 100 varieties, strains and crosses of 25 Texas-adapted crops. These include grains, oilseed, forages, and horticultural crops. These crops are listed in the annual FSS Price List. "Foundation seed" is priced higher than commercial seed since it is a premier grade and intended for increase and not commercial production.

Administered by the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, the Texas A&M University System, the Service produces only the foundation class of seed. It is a nonprofit self-supporting unit of TAES. Its production is primarily through supervised contracts with growers in selected areas. Seed conditioning is handled by the unit's facilities or by supplemental services provided through contractual arrangements.

This latest describes FSS's role in the seed-increase program and its operations in providing quality seed for Texas Agriculture.

Research

Texas Agricultural Experiment Station plant breeders continue to make significant contributions to Texas agriculture through the development of new plant varieties and breeding stocks. In the course of plant variety development, TAES plant breeders provide commercial breeders with breeding stocks and genetic stocks. These materials are not finished for release as commercial varieties or hybrids, but because of unique genetic characteristics may be utilized for crop improvement by other breeders. Seed or other propagation materials whose value has been established for commercial production are released as commercial varieties or hybrids, and a small amount of breeder seed is made available to Foundation Seed Service.

Foundation Seed

The first step for increasing seed for both new and old crop varieties is the planting of breeder seed to produce foundation seed. The Foundation Seed Service of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, the Texas A&M University System has the responsibility to oversee the increase and distribution of foundation seed to certified seed growers throughout the State. Seed or vegetative material is increased under contract by selected seedsmen and seed producers in the area best suited for the crop. Foundation Seed Service supervises all phases of production, processing, and distribution to ensure varietal purity and identity. Seed production fields are inspected by Texas Department of Agriculture representatives and must meet minimum purity standards prior to harvest. High quality seed of improved varieties is the foundation for successful agriculture. Maximal increase of high quality foundation seed through effective management is required to provide seed of new varieties to growers as soon as possible.

Registered Seed

The next multiplicative step is accomplished by private seed growers who plant foundation seed to produce "registered seed". Registered seed is an important link in the pedigreed seed program and is produced by seedsmen who are proven certified seed producers. Registered seed production fields are inspected by representatives of the Texas Department of Agriculture to ensure that the crop has met minimum standards for genetic purity prior to harvest. Seed to be classified as registered must also be laboratory tested and meet established standards for genetic and mechanical purity.

Certified Seed

The final seed production step is accomplished by certified seed growers and processors who plant foundation and registered seed to produce "certified seed." These seed production fields are also checked by Texas Department of Agriculture inspectors. The seed are laboratory tested and must meet minimum standards for genetic purity and identity. The planting of certified seed provides assurance that the variety is true to type as developed by the plant breeder.

Farmer Production

Successful farmers insist on varieties and hybrids that produce maximum crop yields. They are aware of the importance of genetically pure certified seed of known origin. They depend on reputable seed growers and seedsmen for a consistent supply of high quality seed that returns maximum profits to their farming operation.

Foundation Seed Tags

Each class of certified seed is associated with a colored seed tag. Certified seed tags are blue, registered are purple, and foundation tags are white.

The foundation seed "white tag" appears only on seed that has been inspected in the field and meets purity standards for foundation seed. The analysis label that accompanies the foundation seed label provides information on the quality factors of the crop seed. A grower should read both labels to determine whether the seed meets his purity and germination requirements.

Seed Certification in Texas

Seed or plant certification is a system designed to preserve and maintain the genetic identity and purity of crop varieties. The certification system is composed of three classes of certified seed and plants: foundation, registered, and certified. These classes comprise a series of refereed multiplicative generations which make it possible to supply the needs of commercial growers. Each generation is handled so as to maintain the generations which make it possible to supply the needs of commercial growers. Each generation is handled so as to maintain the genetic purity and identity as designated by the Federal Seed Act and Texas Seed Law. These laws are enforced by the Texas Department of Agriculture, the official seed certifying agency in Texas. The Texas Department of Agriculture Seed Division inspects all seed production fields submitted for certification, and seed laboratories analyze seed samples to determine seed quality and germination.

The three classes of certified seed originate from breeder seed, which is directly controlled by the originating or sponsoring breeder. Foundation seed is the progeny of breeder seed and must conform to state and federal standards for genetic purity and identity. Texas foundation seed is produced under the direct supervision of the Foundation Seed Service of Texas A&M University. Registered seed is the progeny of breeder or foundation seed and is used to produce certified seed. Certified seed is the progeny of the breeder, foundation, or registered seed and is used for commercial crop production. Through the certification system, Texas farmers can be assured of obtaining adequate amounts of genetically pure crop seed.