Exploring the relationship between organic seed treatments and storage period on seed quality of mungbean (Vigna radiata L.)

Abstract

The present investigation was undertaken on mungbean cv. MH 318 and MH 421 to evaluate the effect of organic seed treatments with botanical seed treatments, viz., Trachyspermum ammi, Azadirachta indica, Dalbergia sissoo, Murraya koenigii, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Ocimum canum, Curcuma longa rhizome and leaf powder, woodash, and Ocimum basillicum leaf powder and storage period on seed quality parameters. The fresh seeds were treated with the above-mentioned botanical powders and stored in polythene bags under ambient conditions for 18 months. The seed quality parameters were recorded just after treatment, 6, 12, and 18 months after treatment during storage. The results revealed that the six-month-old seeds of both varieties performed better in terms of seed quality parameters, i.e., germination, speed of germination, vigour index, emergence index, and seedling establishment, as compared to freshly treated seeds. With the extension of the storage duration, a steady decline in quality metrics was seen after 6 months of storage. Seed coating with turmeric rhizome powder enhanced and retained the seed quality after a storage period of 18 months.