Quality of millet seeds at different positions of the panicle

Abstract

Many factors may interfere in the quality of millet seeds; however, it is not known whether the location at different positions of the panicle may affect this quality. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of millet seeds produced at different positions of the panicle using uniformity, 1,000-seed mass, water content, X-ray, germination, seedling length, seedling dry matter mass, cold and health tests. The panicles were divided into five equidistant portions (proximal 1, proximal 2, intermediary, distal 1 and distal 2), starting from the panicle insertion. It was observed that there are differences among the positions of the seeds in the panicles related to the physical, physiological and health characteristics. The seeds located at the ends of the panicles presented a lower mass and physiological potential. The highest occurrence of Fusarium sp. was verified in the seeds from the proximal 1 portion, what might indicate a possible cause for the reduction in the physiological potential. Seeds from the intermediary portion present a higher mass, percentage of intact seeds and physiological potential.

Citrus Extract Found Potent in the Control of Seed-Borne Fungal Pathogens of Pearl Millet—A Recommendation for Farmers’ Seed Saving Systems

“…A total of 14 fungi were associated with the seed samples. This is consistent with other studies in which fungal pathogens were identified as being associated with pearl millet seeds [38][39][40][41][42]. The overall incidence of the fungi revealed that Curvularia spp.…”

“…and Aspergillus spp. cause seed mould, which reduces the seed germination rate [10,38,42]. The presence of these inherent seed-borne fungi thus contributed to the low seed germination rate of the farmer-saved seed.…”