Effect of seed coating materials on seed quality during storage of paddy

Abstract

A laboratory experiment was conducted in the Department of Seed Science and Technology, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar to assess the effect of seed coating materials on storability of paddy seeds var-Naveen. After harvest seeds were treated with polymers, fungicides or their combinations and kept in storage under ambient condition in two different containers viz. cloth bag and 700 gauge polythene bag. Observations were recorded at monthly intervals on different seed quality parameters and the effect of different coating materials on storability of seeds was assessed. The results of the study revealed that there was increase in seed germination up to three months of storage (60-96%) and then decline in germination was observed. This indicated that there was seed dormancy in the paddy variety Naveen up to about 2 months and actual deterioration started after 4 months of storage. Seeds stored in 700 gauge polythene bags showed better performance and maintained germination percentage above minimum seed certification standard (80%) even after 7 months of storage compared to cloth bags.