Comparative Effects of Organic and Inorganic Seed Treatments on the Viability and Vigour of Sesame Seeds in Storage

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine the storability of pre-treated sesame seeds and to compare the effects of inorganic and organic seed treatments on the viability and vigour of sesame seeds during storage. Two hundred grammes of sesame seeds were treated separately with recommended dosages of Neem leaf powder (NLP), Dress force powder (DFP), Dry pepper powder (DPP) and untreated seeds being the control; each treatment placed in air-tight container and stored in a wooden cabinet at average ambient conditions of 26.5°C and 80% RH for a period of 18 weeks. Completely randomized design was used for the experiment, with storage time and seed treatment as factors. Samples were drawn from storage at interval of two weeks and tested for seed viability and seedling vigour. Seed germination, seedling vigour index, speed of germination and rate of germination were evaluated. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carried out on the data collected, and treatment means were separated using Duncan's Multiple Range Tests (DMRT). Correlation analysis was also carried out to ascertain the kinds of relationships that exist among the variables evaluated. Observations showed that NLP and DPP treatments had better mean seed germination of 89.53% and 82.35% respectively compared to DFP (46.47%) and control (80.76). NLP also enhanced better seedling vigour index (339.24) throughout the strorage time compared to DFP (99.74). It is therefore recommended that natural botanicals like NLP could be adopted for short and medium term storage of sesame seeds; as it maintaned seed viability and seedling vigour optimally among other treatments.

Caracterização morfológica e qualidade fisiológica de cultivares de sementes de gergelim

“…Suas sementes contêm cerca de 50 a 60% do seu peso seco, sendo ricas em vitamina e sais minerais (OBIAJUNWA et al, 2005). A demanda por sementes de gergelim e seus produtos está crescendo a níveis nacional e internacional (OYEKALE et al, 2012). Ela é preferencialmente consumida em comidas orientais (SUH et al, 2003), sendo consumida também pelas suas qualidades medicinais (KHAZAEI e MOHAMMADI, 2009).…”

“…Essa avaliação é importante, visto que a deterioração da semente inicia-se imediatamente após a cultura ter atingido o estágio de maturidade fisiológica (OYEKALE et al, 2012).…”

Assessment of Storage Dependent Physiological Parameters of Sesamum indicum seeds

“…The storability of seeds is also influenced by the type of packaging material. Seeds stored in moisture-proved sealed containers provide suitable environment for storage, offer protection against contamination and also acts as a barrier against the escape of seed treatment chemicals than in moisture pervious containers higher viability and vigour was retained for longer period in moisture-proof containers followed by moisture resistant and impervious containers respectively (Oyekale et al, 2012).…”

“…Thus, in order to prevent the quantitative and qualitative losses due to several biotic and abiotic factors during storage, several methods are being adopted such as seed treatment with suitable chemicals or plant products, as well as seed storage in safe containers. Oyekale et al (2012) reported that seed deterioration during storage was due to the damage in cell membrane and other chemical changes in the seed system such as the protein and nucleic acid accumulation. Such degenerative changes result in complete disorganization of membranes and cell organelles and ultimately causing death of the seed and loss of viability.…”

“…The most common and consistent ultra-structural changes in all the cell organelles were the loss in integrity of membranes, which invariably leads to increased seed deterioration especially during storage. Oyekale et al (2012) reported that for every one percent moisture decline and for each 5 0 C decrease in temperature the storage period will be doubled. In open and pervious containers, seed moisture content is determined by relative humidity of the surrounding atmosphere and temperature of the storage environment.…”