Effectiveness of provenance, container and seed treatment on seed viability and longevity for long term conservation in drumstick (Moringa oleifera Lam. (syn. M. ptreygosperma Gaertn.)

Abstract

Moriga has gained importance recently due to its medicinal and nutritional properties in plants parts and seeds. Seeds are used for propagation and are found to lose its viability rapidly and unable to store seeds for long term storage. A study was conducted to know the effect of storage provenances, containers and storage conditions on seed longevity and viability of drumstick seeds for long term ambient storage circumstances. Being low volume high value medicinal crop moisture impervious and moisture proof containers need to be identified for longer term storage. Storage conditions and containers had a greater impact on seed deterioration during storage period. Drumstick seeds lost its complete viability after 34 months of storage. At 24 months of storage seeds packed in aluminum foil pouch, treated with captaf (2g/kg) and stored in Southern dry zone has preserved minimum seed certification germination standards (70%) compared to other treatments. The vigour index (2730) and field emergence (60%) was also higher stating that, moisture proof containers are better for long term storage upto 24 months. Among provenances, Southern dry zone of Karnataka (minimum 14 0C & maximum 35 0C) has maintained the seed quality parameters at higher range at the end of long storage period.