Information Package / Course Catalogue
Organic Seed
Course Code: OT120
Course Type: Area Elective
Couse Group: Short Cycle (Associate's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 2
Prt.: 0
Credit: 2
Lab: 0
ECTS: 2
Objectives of the Course

The aim of this course is to provide students with fundamental knowledge of the principles and practices of organic seed production, including the biological, ecological, and agricultural importance of seeds, organic seed production processes, quality criteria, certification systems, and relevant regulations. The course also aims to develop awareness and professional competence in the conservation of local genetic resources, the development of sustainable production systems, plant health management, and the effective use of digital technologies, enabling students to support environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable organic agriculture through informed and responsible professional practices.

Course Content

This course covers the fundamental concepts of organic seed production and its role within organic agriculture. It examines seed biology, development, and quality characteristics, organic seed production systems, variety selection, production planning, and field management. The course also addresses seed health, disease, pest, and weed management, post-harvest handling, storage and preservation techniques, organic seed certification, relevant regulations, and quality assurance systems. In addition, the conservation of local varieties and plant genetic resources, the use of digital technologies in organic seed production, traceability, sustainable production systems, circular agriculture practices, and climate change adaptation are discussed through an integrated and systems-oriented perspective.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.Explains the fundamental concepts and principles of organic seed production and its role within organic farming systems.
2.Analyzes organic seed production processes in terms of variety selection, production planning, field management, and seed quality.
3.Evaluates practices related to plant health, disease, pest, and weed management in organic seed production.
4.Interprets the factors affecting quality during the harvesting, processing, storage, and preservation of organic seeds.
5.Evaluates organic seed certification, quality assurance systems, and relevant regulations in the context of professional practice.
6.Explains the importance of conserving local varieties and plant genetic resources for biodiversity and sustainable agriculture.
7.Relates digital technologies, data management, and traceability applications to organic seed production processes.
8.Evaluates organic seed production practices within sustainable, circular, and environmentally responsible agricultural systems from a holistic perspective.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Karaca, A. (2026). Organic Seed Production. (Course Notes).
2.Demir, İ. (2018). Seed Science and Technology. İzmir: Meta Publishing.
3.Ertekin, İ., & Çalışkan, M. E. (2017). Seed Science and Technology. Ankara: Nobel Academic Publishing.
4.Engindeniz, S., & Boyacı, M. (2016). Organic Agriculture. İzmir: Ege University Press.
5.Altındişli, A. (Ed.). (2015). Organic Agriculture Handbook. İzmir: Meta Publishing.
6.Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. (Current Edition). Regulation on the Principles and Implementation of Organic Agriculture. Ankara.
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Introduction to Organic Seed Production: Biological, Ecological and Agricultural Importance of Seeds
Week 2 - Theoretical
Relationship Between Organic Farming Principles and Organic Seed Production; Basic Concepts
Week 3 - Theoretical
Seed Development, Maturation and Factors Affecting Seed Quality
Week 4 - Theoretical
Organic Seed Production Systems: Variety Selection, Adaptation and Production Planning
Week 5 - Theoretical
Organic Seed Production Techniques and Field Management
Week 6 - Theoretical
Plant Health in Organic Seeds: Disease, Pest and Weed Management
Week 7 - Theoretical
Seed Harvesting, Cleaning, Drying and Processing Techniques
Week 8 - Theoretical
Seed Quality, Germination, Viability and Seed Vigor Assessment
Week 9 - Theoretical
Storage, Preservation and Traceability of Organic Seeds
Week 10 - Theoretical
Organic Seed Certification, Regulations and Quality Assurance Systems
Week 11 - Theoretical
Local Varieties, Conservation of Genetic Resources and Seed Sovereignty
Week 12 - Theoretical
Digital Technologies, Data Management and Smart Agriculture Applications in Organic Seed Production
Week 13 - Theoretical
Sustainable Organic Seed Systems, Circular Agriculture and Climate Change Adaptation
Week 14 - Theoretical
Future of Organic Seed Production: Innovative Approaches, General Evaluation and Case Studies
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Assignment1%5
Quiz1%5
Midterm Examination1%30
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory140228
Assignment1112
Individual Work8018
Quiz1112
Midterm Examination1415
Final Examination1415
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)50
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
PÇ-12
PÇ-13
OÇ-1
2
4
1
1
OÇ-2
3
5
2
2
OÇ-3
2
OÇ-4
3
2
OÇ-5
2
3
OÇ-6
OÇ-7
OÇ-8
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026