Analytical aspects of seed quality in relation to weed seeds associated with commercial rice seed production in Nigeria

This study was conducted to assess the analytical quality of commercial rice seed lots in the Nigerian seed industry and to identify the weed seeds associated with the seed lots. Fifty seeds samples of commercially produced lowland and upland rice varieties from 50 seed companies spread across 25 states of Nigeria were tested for the presence of weed seeds that are considered as constraints to agricultural production in Nigeria. The results show that the average percentage pure seeds was 97.95% (approximately 98.0%), while the percentage of other seeds and inert matter were 1.10% and 0.95% respectively. The seeds of Oryza glaberrima were more common compared with other weed seeds that were identified. It is also apparent that seeds of O . longistaminata , Rottboellia cochinchinensis and Lithospermum spp. were identifiable after conditioning and could be categorised as noxious and prohibited weeds. These results underscore the need for more innovative research-based weed control management strategies in the Nigerian seed quality assurance scheme to control trans-border transfer of quarantine weeds seeds. Such efforts would boost trust in the seed trade.