The low quality of wheat seed used as farmer protected seed is a crucial factor in reducing the average productivity of wheat. So, this research was conducted at AFU, Rampur, Nepal, from Nov 2017 to Jan 2018 to find out the quality status of farmer preserved seed and seeds of the formal sectors. Survey and sample collection carried out from National Wheat Research Program (NWRP) Bhairahawa, Unnat Bijbriddi Seed Company, Patihani, and farmers of three districts, respectively, from Chitwan, Bardiya, and Baglung. The laboratory experiment was done in CRD design. The physical purity was higher in seeds from the formal source (>99%); however, the physiological quality was inconsistent. Among all sources, NWRP provided the best seed germination (95 ± 1.79 %), and seed vigor index (SVI) (1389 ± 59.54). Yet, another official source, i.e., Seed Company, showed significantly poor germination (57 ± 7.21 %), and SVI (542 ± 153.84). Besides, some farmers’ samples showed very low seed germination (<1%) and SVI. As the farmers’ seeds from Baglung district have significantly higher germination (73 ± 3.52 %) & SVI (929 ± 53.47), the production and storage of wheat seed in Baglung or similar ecology might have a higher potentiality to maintain good physiological quality. Thus, it is asserted that, when farmers’ seed has acceptable quality, it can be an excellent choice to use their own saved seed. Otherwise, to avoid massive loss due to poor seed quality, one can choose to go with the formal seed.

Keywords: Seed, quality, source, wheat, germination.