HYBRID MAIZE SEED

PRODUCTION
PLANNING
 Seed Production Planning
● Essential part of any seed production and
marketing operations
● Seed production operations interface with
research and marketing
● Production plans are usually based on market
forecasts and demand estimates
 Important Information from Breeders

● Maturity profile for the parents

● Recommended female:male row ratios
● Recommended seed rate
● Recommended planting density
● Yield potential (male and female)
●
 Seed Production Planning
Practical Case Studies
Seedco has just released a new commercial variety SC 533.
This is a single cross hybrid with female parent yield potential of
650 kg/ha and male parent yield potential of 650 kg/ha
Using the seed multiplication scheme used in Zambia, Breeders’
seed available is 150kg for the female parent and 80kg for the
male parent seed
 Seed Production Planning
● Calculate the quantity of certified seed of SC 533
available for marketing in 2024/25 season.
● Assume the following
● Recommended seed rate for female is 15kg/ha
● Recommended seed rate for male is 15kg/ha
● Recommended female:male ratio is 3:1
 Seed Production Planning
Assuming that the projected demand for SC 533 in
2024/25 is 90 mt, is the seed provided by the
breeders enough?
NB. Maize seed is multiplied over a three stage
scheme: Foundation seed to Basic Seed to Certified
seed
 2020/21 2021/22 2022/2023
Ha?Female 1-----------650kg Area Female=281500kg/seed rate
seed=150kg =18,776.3ha
10?----------xxxx Male?
Seed rate=15kg/ha
Area=150/15=10ha Production? 6,500kg seed (female) 0.75---------18,776
Male? Production(male)? 0.25-------------X
Seed=80kg 1ha………...650 25,035ha
seed=15kg/ha Male? 25035-18776
5.3?..............3445kg Answer= 6259
Area=5.3ha
Total hectarage? Production????
Hectarag M+hec =18776.3 x 650 kg/ha
Total Area= 10+5.3=15.3ha
=12,204.6 tons
Prebasic Area (Ha) F=10+5.3 Certfied Seed Production
Prebasic (Seed
Quantities)

Basic Seed Stage Basic Seed Ratio=3:1

Area (F)? Female------75%
Seed production (F)
Production Male………..25%
Area (M)
Seeed Production (M)
 2021/22 Certified Seed

2020/21 Basic Seed

Prebasic
Area (ha)
Production
(Male/Female?

Total area for

foundation seed?
(M+F)

Seed Availed by
Breeders
Male 20kg
(15kg/ha)
Female 26kg (15kg
Yield potential
Male 650 kg/ha
Female 650 Kg/ha
Planting Ration 3:1