The awareness for seed health has increased many folds among planners, researchers, growers, traders, and consumers, in the trade-era of WTO and subsequent post GATT- implications of various treaties. With the implementation of Seed Bill (amendment in Seed Act 1966), the seed health testing shall be an obligatory issue beside the consideration of seed germination and purity tests for certification. However, in Indian Seed Certification System several diseases associated with seeds have been designated as objectionable in seed production programme of Foundation and Certified seeds. The tolerance limits for Seed Crop and Seed Lot have been formulated with Indian Minimum Seed Certification Standards.

The book provides a comprehensive and detailed account of objectionable seedborne diseases of field crops and dedicated as a Festschrift volume in the honour of Professor Mahendra Nath Khare, one of the pioneer seed pathologist of India. Prof. M.N.Khare is a living legend of seed pathology, whose contribution to the discipline is enormous. Though at present, he is not in active research, yet he is guiding a number of students and other workers in an informal way. He is like a lighthouse for the present generation. The present book has  articles pertaining to various seedborne diseases by eminent seed pathologists of the country, who are authority in their respective fields. The diseases included in this book pose a problem in seed production of that particular crop and so is of great economic significance. The articles enumerate the different aspects of that particular disease including their management through cultural, chemical and bio-control agents. The present compilation will serve as a reference to planners, research workers, teachers, students and all those who are associated with seed production. The book is a tribute to Prof. M.N.Khare.

The book is designed for those involved in seed science and technology, especially the young people involved with production, certification and teaching seed health and pathology. Besides agricultural universities the subject is introduced in traditional universities hence book will also serve as a reference book. 

The volume contains 30 specialized updated informative research reference articles provided by 42 eminent national scientists working with plant pathogens.