Seed development and maturation studies in Little Millet (Panicum sumatrense Roth ex Roem. and Schult.) cv. Co (Samai) 4

Abstract

Minor millets are claimed to be the future foods for better health and nutrition security. Seeds obtained from the Department of millets, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore formed the base material for the study. In order to study the seed development and maturation for fixing physiological maturity in little millet cv. CO (Samai) 4, was raised in the department of seed science and technology, AC&RI, Madurai. The individual panicles of bulk crop raised in the field and were tagged at the time of flower opening. The panicles were collected at 5 days intervals up to 50 days after anthesis (DAA) and subjected to the following seed quality assessments. The observations made on panicle fresh weight (g), dry weight (g) and moisture content (%). The results revealed that physiological maturity of little millet was attained on 40 day after anthesis with corresponding increase in 1000 seed weight (3.6 g) seed fresh weight (10.2 g), dry weight (4.9 g), seed germination (38%), seedling dry matter production (0.011g/ 10 seedlings), vigour index (578).