Seed production is a complex process. Rigorous production procedures are followed by both the seed producer and seed companies to ensure that high-quality seed is produced and marketed. Quality seed is rightly termed as the carrier of technology, because the benefit, which accrued from the use of quality seed is in terms of not only higher productivity but it also, checks the spread of various seed-borne diseases and weeds.

Seed science being a refined subject is expanding at a faster pace, which is a healthy sign, and so does, the number of words and jargons. This makes it impossible to remember every term and its meaning. It is at this stage that the lexicon comes handy. The purpose of bringing out this book of terminology is to present a convenient and concise source of precise definition of terms used in Seed Science and Technology to our readers engaged in research, teaching and development of agriculture. The book will be relished by both beginners as well as experienced workers of seed science. The manuscript was prepared keeping in view the need of graduate students both at junior and senior levels.

The authors feels humbled by the fact that the words have been extensively borrowed from seed scientists as they coin terms in their quest to discover the secrets of seed. For this, we are very much indebted to them. Most of the slides have been borrowed from Mr. E. M. Armstrong, Senior Botanist, Oakland University, Australia. Although compilation and editing has been done with a lot of care, some mistakes may have crept in. Readers are requested to bring this to our knowledge for further improvement in the coming editions. We hope that the book would be extremely useful for many years to come.