Studies on packaging materials, storage duration on seed viability and seed health in soybean (Glycine max L.) seeds

Abstract

The present study elucidated that the effect of storage of soybean seeds treated with biocide [Castor oil (T1) @ 5ml/kg and Neem cake (T2) @ 10g/kg] and stored in types of packaging materials [vacuum polythene bag (P1), Non-vacuum polythene bag (P2) and Cloth Bag (P3)] in ambient condition in the Post Graduate Laboratory, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, SHIATS, Allahabad for two, four and six months. Observations shows that the treatment of Neem cake @ 10g/kg of seed stored in vacuum plastic bag for 6 months displayed significant higher percentage of seed germination, seedling length, Fresh weight, Dry weight, seed moisture and Viability as compared to other treated seeds that were stored in vacuum plastic bag. But in the case of seed health Castor oil @ 5ml/kg treated seed shows better result. Germination and viability decreased with the period of storage. It is also found that vacuum polythene bag could be the best options among Non-vacuum polythene bag, Non vacuum polythene bag and Cloth bag for seed packing in terms of maintaining the seed quality as reflected in the varied parameters of the seed quality assessment indicators. Seeds are stored in vacuum polythene bags were affected due to storage but the effects were more pronounced in the Non-vacuum polythene bags as compared to Cloth bags.