Impact of breeder seed multiplication and certified quality seed distribution on rice production in India

Background: The All India Coordinated Rice Improvement Project (AICRIP) organizes multi-location tests (METs) with new genotypes from breeding programs. The best performing genotypes in METs for 3-4 years are identified and notified as commercial cultivars by the Government of India (GOI) to authorize breeder seed (BS) production. Methods: We created a database and analyzed data on BS production for 24 years (1995-96 to 2018-19) in 475 inbred and 22 F-1 hybrid cultivars. Estimates were made to rank cultivars on the proportional contribution of a cultivar, quantity produced and a new BS index. Correlation and regression analyses were used to find the relationships between BS, certified quality seed distributed (CQSD), and milled rice production. We compared cultivars in BS production chain with those grown in farmers' fields across the country as identified in the production-oriented surveys. Results: The top ten inbred cultivars identified are Jaya (notified by GOI in 1969), Swarna, Kranthi, IR 36, Sarjoo 52, Samba Mahsuri and Pusa Basmati 1 (notified in 1980-1989), and IR 64, Vijetha and Cottondora Sannalu (notified in 1991-2000). BS production in hybrid F-1 was insignificant. We detected a Pearson correlation (r = 0.806, P < 0.01) between the BS production and CQSD, and a linear relationship between the annual rice production in India and the CQSD (R-2 = 0.850, P < 0.01). The rice area coverage in 2018-19 with CQSD estimated was 41%. A total of 1877 cultivars (528 notified and 1349 not notified) were found at farms in rice growing districts in India. Conclusions: From 1995-2019, BS and CQSD together increased the annual milled rice production in step with increases in population. Diverse rice genotypes have enabled rice to endure crop constraints in fragmented landholdings spread over 43 m ha. AICRIP's efforts have sustained availability of > 73 kg rice per capita per year (similar to 40% of food grains). The process of notification, receipt of indent for BS from states, allotment and BS production, and de-notification of a cultivar by GOI need a review to ensure profits to farmers. As the 1000-seed weight varies in cultivars, it must be notified by GOI to adjust seed rate and maintain the recommended plant population at the farms. There is scope to increase the priceless BS production in cultivars to raise the country's production further, facilitate export and ensure profits to all stakeholders.