Abstract: The development of seeds is essential for a sustainable and socially adapted type of agriculture. This relationship has been widely discussed and is usually invoked by natural scientists. However, a social science perspective on the connection between plant breeding research and agricultural production allows a broader perspective. In order to explore the effects of seed production on the type of agricultural, I will develop a typology of immanent obstacles towards the process of industrialization. These obstacles and resistances open up space for the development of an ecological agriculture. The industrialization of seed production is characterized by the application of technology, the division of labor in the breeding process as well as the standardization and mass production of plant varieties. Empirically my analysis is based on a mixed methods approach. I use qualitative interviews to get a deeper understanding of the seed sector. On the other hand my study is based on the quantitative analyses of FAO data about the development of yields and the harvested area in different crops.