Influence of seed polymorphism on physical and physiological seed quality in Senna KKM (Se) 1(Cassia angustifolia Vahl)

Abstract

Senna (Cassia angustifolia Vahl.) is one of the medicinal plants having tremendous therapeutic potential. The experiment was conducted at the unit of Seed Science and Technology, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam, Tamil Nadu. In an attempt to optimize the suitable sieve size for grading senna seeds, larger seed (BSS 7 x 7 retained and BSS 6 X 6 retained) recorded 44 and 31 per cent seed recovery percentage respectively, the seeds retained on BSS 6x 6 sieves proved to be superior in physical quality characters viz.,seed length (0.8 cm), seed breath (0.4cm), 100 seed weight (2.75g) and Physiological seed quality characters viz.,germination (64%), hard seed (16%), higher shoot length (9.4cm), root length (9.8 cm) and vigour index (1229) compared to other sieve sizes and bulk. Hence for size grading, the seeds might be sieved with BSS 6x6 sieve size.