Appraisal of storage potential of onion cv. CO (On) 5 seeds under carbon dioxide and ambient storage condition

Abstract

The laboratory experiment was conducted to study the storage potential of onion seeds under ambient and carbon dioxide (CO2) conditions. The onion seeds were given with different treatments such as T1-Control, T2-Seed coating formulation-I (SCF-I)-10g/kg, T3-Seed coating formulation-II (SCF-II)-10g/kg and stored in cloth bag under ambient condition and plastic container under CO2 condition (30% CO2) for six months. The seed samples were drawn at monthly intervals and evaluated for the seed and seedling quality parameters. The result revealed that, seeds coated with SCF-II and stored under CO2 condition recorded the highest germination rate and seedling vigour; dehydrogenase, α-amylase, catalase and peroxidase activity; protein and oil content; lowest electrical conductivity and pathogen infection after six months of storage compared to other treatments and ambient storage. It can be used effectively to enhance the seed quality and particularly beneficial in the absence of cold storage facility and in addition it can be used for maintaining seed quality for long period.