Effect of novel insecticides, botanicals and vacuum packaging on seed quality parameters during storage of cowpea

Abstract

Cowpea (Vigna ungiculata L.) is a major crop in several developing countries for its high protein content, wider adaptability to different soils and intercropping systems, drought resistant and capable of boosting soil fertility. It is one of the grains that suffers post-harvest losses most of yield reduction caused due to insects. The laboratory experiment was investigated to study the effect of vacuum packaging, novel insecticidal molecules and botanicals on seed quality parameters in cowpea storage during 2021-22 at Department of Seed Science and Technology, University of Agricultural Sciences Dharwad. The study comprised of eight treatments viz., spinetoram 11.7 SC, emamectin benzoate 5 SG, flupyradifurone 200 SL, deltamethrin 2.8 EC, Acorus calamus (sweet flag rhizome) powder, castor oil and vacuum packaging on seed quality of cowpea were evaluated under ambient conditions along with untreated seeds (control). The storage studies revealed that vacuum packaging treatment was most effective in maintaining seed quality parameters during storage which recorded maximum germination (89%), SVI-I (3119), SVI-II (37.29) and lowest seed moisture content (9.37%), EC (0.961 dSm-1) and seed infestation (0.00%), followed by emamectin benzoate 5 SG at 2 ppm per kg of seed (86.00%, 2878, 33.98, 11.41, 0.972 dSm-1 and 1.00%, respectively) compared to control (76.00%, 2115, 25.09, 12.38, 1.087 dSm-1 and 16.67%, respectively) after being stored for nine months. Cowpea seeds were stored in vacuum packaging was most effective in maintaining seed quality parameters above Indian Minimum Seed Certification Standards for at least nine months.