VEGETABLE SEEDS

Plantgene offers contract multiplication services of both open-pollinated and hybrid vegetable seeds. Our capabilities encompass cucumber, eggplant, hot pepper, muskmelon, okra, various squashes, sweet pepper, tomato, watermelon and zucchini.

Plantgene does contract multiplication and exports open-pollinated and hybrid vegetable seeds to customers in several countries in the European Union.

Plantgene produces vegetable seeds in southern India; 1500-2000 km south of New Delhi. The "main" sowing season (August-September) is after the "monsoon" rains that occur in June-August. The weather is moderately cool in this post-rainy season; conducive to production of most vegetable seeds. However, in case of an emergency requirement, sowings are possible in a "secondary" season too. Thus, we can produce vegetable seeds almost round the year.

THE PLANTGENE ADVANTAGE

The production of hybrid vegetable seeds is a labor-intensive process. Since cytoplasmic male sterile lines are not usually utilized in vegetable seed production, emasculation and pollination have to be done by hand. The daily wage for farm labor in India being relatively low, Plantgene offers a massive advantage in terms of low-cost seed production.

In open-pollinated seeds too, Plantgene’s prices are extremely competitive by virtue of the low cost structure in rural Indian farms.

Another advantage offered by us is the possibility of producing vegetable seeds almost round the year. South Indian weather is moderate, except for a few summer months in March-May.

Finally, aside from cheap labor and favorable climate, Plantgene has a large pool of scientists/technicians in seed research and production.

The company’s Research and Development program has been formally approved and recognized by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India.

SEED MULTIPLICATION

1. Once the production order is finalized, Plantgene requests the customer for a few inputs: photographs of the variety/lines, seeding rate per hectare, seed yield per hectare, etc. Based on our yield estimates in Indian conditions, we calculate the stock seed requirement.

2. Plantgene sends the stock seed requirement together with an Import Permit to the customer.

3. Using the import permit, the buyer sends the stock seed and a phytosanitary certificate to Plantgene through the Indian government’s mandated agency.

4. After plant quarantine procedures, the material is released to Plantgene.

5. A few seeds of each variety/line are planted immediately at Plantgene's research stations in Hyderabad/Bangalore (1500-2000 km south of New Delhi); this enables our breeders/production staff to familiarize themselves with the material before the production season.

6. The lines are issued to seed growers for hybrid seed production. The company supervises the entire production process closely.

7. After harvesting, the seed is transported to Plantgene’s facility in Hyderabad. The seed is tested for germination, vigor and physical/genetic purity. A grow-out test is conducted.

8. After conditioning/cleaning, the seed is exported by Plantgene to the buyer after complying with Government of India regulations.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

The Indian law relating to intellectual property rights is called The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act. The legal framework combined with Plantgene’s supervision ensures that the buyer’s inbred lines are not misappropriated by third parties.