Seed Quality: Basic Mechanisms and Agricultural Implications focuses on various aspects of seed quality and integrates research at basic and applied levels, supporting high-quality seeds as the basis of higher agricultural productivity. With its clear perspective and interdisciplinary focus on basic and applied aspects of seed quality, this book is immensely useful to students and teachers in many agricultural and botanical disciplines. Because seed quality is a critical component in the economic considerations of the farmer and the seedman alike, Basra looks in-depth at these aspects of seed production:seed viabilityseed healthseed vigorseed testingvariety identificationcrop yieldseed storageseed productionseed deteriorationseed treatments Seed quality is of international agronomic concern, and the recent upsurge of interest in seed quality has accentuated a new awareness regarding its importance in crop production. This book meets the need for information and could form the basis of long-range planning by policymakers on quality assurance and management programs and in the facilitation of international trade. Researchers, students, and teachers in many agricultural and botanical disciplines--seed science and technology in particular--will find this book to be of immense use. It can be used as a handbook for those involved in seed industry and seed testing services. It is recommended for international courses in seed science and technology and seed training programs.